BlackBerry maker RIM loses patent dispute with Nokia

SETBACK: The Research in Motion's headquarters in Slough, England. A Swedish arbitrator has ruled that the BlackBerry maker is not entitled to make or sell mobile devices which can hook up to WiFi networks without first agreeing to royalties with Nokia. - Reuters

HELSINKI: BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd (RIM) has lost a dispute over the use of Nokia Oyj patents, in a case which could halt the sale of RIM products if it does not reach a new royalties deal with the Finnish company.

The Swedish arbitrator ruled RIM was not entitled to make or sell mobile devices which can hook up to WiFi networks — using technology known in the trade as WLAN or wireless local access network systems — without first agreeing royalties with Nokia.