BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM) has paid patent firm NTP $612.5 million to settle a long-running patent dispute, thus averting a possible shutdown of the popular push e-mail service, an Associated Press report said.
The report quoted James Balsillie, RIM's co-chief executive, as saying that the company was "taking one for the team, sparing its customers and partners the uncertainty of litigation."
Earlier reports said NTP had asked a federal court for an injunction blocking the continued use of key technologies underpinning the BlackBerry wireless e-mail service.
The reports said Judge James R. Spencer expressed impatience with RIM and urged a settlement.
The report further said that under the settlement, RIM would not have to pay any future royalties.