AfterDawn: News

BlackBerry sues Typo Products over its new iPhone keyboard case

BlackBerry has unsurprisingly sued Ryan Seacrest's Typo Products startup for patent infringement over its new Typo iPhone keyboard case.

"This is a blatant infringement against BlackBerry's iconic keyboard, and we will vigorously protect our intellectual property against any company that attempts to copy our unique design," Steve Zipperstein, BlackBerry's general counsel and chief legal officer, said in a statement.



The multi-millionaire media personality founded the startup after not wanting to give up both his BlackBerry and iPhone, one of which was used for typing extensively and the other used for everything else.

Typo was set to officially unveil the accessory at next week's CES event for $99, with the product shipping before the end of the month.

Zipperstein of BlackBerry added: "From the beginning, BlackBerry has always focused on offering an exceptional typing experience that combines a great design with ergonomic excellence. We are flattered by the desire to graft our keyboard onto other smartphones, but we will not tolerate such activity without fair compensation for using our intellectual property and our technological innovations."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 3 Jan 2014 14:11

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• 9 comments

• ivymike

  Seacrest out!
  

  3.1.2014 14:20 #1

• xnonsuchx

  Who is BlackBerry? ;-)

  3.1.2014 14:36 #2

• Qliphah

  So why don't they just change the color to say white? Problem solved. If it's the shape of the keys, change the kerning of them by 2 degrees. If they still insist a keyboard on a phone is is their idea, cite Samsung as prior use.
  

  3.1.2014 15:39 #3

• xboxdvl2

  snap on keyboard sounds familiar ericsson flip phone had 1 in 2003.
  
  Blackberry and samsung did not come up with the idea.
  

  custom built gaming pc from early 2010,ps2 with 15 games all original,ps3 500gbs with 5 games all original,yamaha amp and 5.1channel surround sound speakers,46inch sony lcd smart tv.

  4.1.2014 09:43 #4

• flyingpen

  I'm tired, as everyone, against these constant lawsuits between companies but this one I think is actually valid. It looks like a "iphone to Blackberry" converter case. If at a glance you see something and it looks like an iconic device then there should be compensation.
  

  Carpe Noctem

  4.1.2014 13:22 #5

• voyager

  This time is for Apple to be sue,jaja

  10.1.2014 19:04 #6

• ronatola

  I think BB should be promoting this, as it might increase their unit sales.
  IDJITS
  

  10.1.2014 20:36 #7

• Jemborg

  Originally posted by Qliphah: So why don't they just change the color to say white? Problem solved. If it's the shape of the keys, change the kerning of them by 2 degrees. If they still insist a keyboard on a phone is is their idea, cite Samsung as prior use. Is it a unique key layout?
  

  Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
  
  
  

  10.1.2014 21:48 #8

• kutulu1

  Go Blackberry Go!! Nail those bastards.

  11.1.2014 12:56 #9