BlackBerry maker and Motorola duel in lawsuits

By Robert Melnbardis

MONTREAL (Reuters) - BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion (RIM.TO: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and rival Motorola (MOT.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) have sued each other over what they say are patent infringements for technology used in their mobile phones.

RIM alleges that Motorola is infringing on the Canadian company's patents and demanding "exorbitant" licensing fees, according to court documents.

The civil action, filed on Friday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, alleges that Motorola infringed on a number of patents held by RIM.

In addition, RIM alleges that Motorola "is demanding exorbitant royalties ... for patents that Motorola claims are essential to various standards for mobile wireless telecommunications and wireless computing that RIM practices."

This includes technology that allows mobile telephone handset users to use Wi-Fi, RIM said.

At the same time, Motorola is refusing to acknowledge or pay royalties for certain patents held by RIM, the BlackBerry-maker said.

Motorola refuted RIM's claims and said it had filed two lawsuits over the weekend against the Canadian company in Texas and Delaware. Motorola is challenging RIM's patents and argues that RIM is infringing on certain Motorola patents.

"We have not yet reviewed the complaint, but based on our understanding of the matter, we believe that their claims are entirely without merit and Motorola intends to vigorously defend itself," Motorola said in a statement e-mailed to Reuters.