RIM Calls for Patent System Changes

Embattled BlackBerry maker Research In Motion took out a full-page advertisement this week in a number of newspapers, thanking supporters and calling for reform of the United States patent system. RIM paid $612.5 million to settle patent infringement claims by NTP, despite those patents later being ruled invalid.

The ad contained a letter by co-CEOs Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie, which said the company was "pleased to put this matter behind us and remove any uncertainty from customers' minds." RIM also notes that the media exposure has shed light on the broken patent system and the company hopes it "will evolve to close the loopholes and become more balanced."