Could the RIM patent dispute be settled before 24 February?

Washington (DC) - US District Judge James Spencer yesterday set 24 February as the date for a hearing regarding whether an injunction against Research in Motion, Ltd., can go forward. If the injunction goes through, the company will be barred from providing BlackBerry service to customers in the United States, even though the company’s main processing center is stationed in Ontario, Canada.

But many observers do not believe the injunction debate will get this far, not because they believe it has no merit, but because it does. RIM has stated it may be able to implement upgrades to its service, utilizing technology that would not infringe upon patents held by plaintiff NTP, Inc. Whether RIM could implement these changes before 24 February, is doubtful. So many are betting - and perhaps also hoping - that RIM will make an upgrade to its cash settlement offer, thus concluding the matter prior to what could be characterized as the "drop-dead date" for BlackBerry service in America. Recent statements made by RIM spokespersons seem to indicate a softening on this issue, perhaps increasing the likelihood that US customers will not suffer service interruptions.