Business Standard

Facebook accuses BlackBerry of stealing voice-messaging tech

- ROBERT BURNSON BLOOMBERG

Facebook is suing BlackBerry for patent infringeme­nt, escalating the legal battle between the two companies over protected technology.

In a 118-page complaint filed filed Tuesday in San Francisco federal court, Facebook accused BlackBerry of stealing its voice messaging technology, among other patented processes. Facebook is seeking unspecifie­d damages for infringeme­nt of six patents.

BlackBerry didn’t immediatel­y respond to messages sent outside regular business hours seeking comment on the suit.

In addition to the voice-messaging patent, Facebook cites infringeme­nt of patented technology that improves how a mobile device delivers graphics, video and audio and another that centralize­s tracking and analysis of GPS data.

In March, BlackBerry sued Facebook in federal court in Los Angeles, accusing the social media giant of infringing on its mobile messaging patents.

BlackBerry seeks new life from old patents to stem sales Decline

BlackBerry claimed Facebook made unauthoris­ed use of its technology in its own instant messenger service, Facebook Messenger, and in WhatsApp Messenger and Instagram.

The case is Facebook Inc. v. BlackBerry Ltd., 3:18-cv-05434, US District Court, Northern District of California (San Francisco). The March case is BlackBerry v. Facebook, 2:18-cv01844, US District Court for the Central District of California (Los Angeles).

 ?? PHOTO: REUTERS ?? Facebook is seeking unspecifie­d damages for infringeme­nt of six patents
PHOTO: REUTERS Facebook is seeking unspecifie­d damages for infringeme­nt of six patents

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