On Tuesday afternoon, Ontario-based software company BlackBerry Ltd filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Facebook, Instagram, and Whatsapp.
According to CNBC, BlackBerry is claiming that the messaging services used by these three current tech giants were originally invented by BB. The company is also looking for monetary compensation for lost profits, but no actual figure has been mentioned yet.
“We have a lot of respect for Facebook and the value they’ve placed on messaging capabilities, some of which were invented by BlackBerry,” reads a statement released by BlackBerry.
“As a cybersecurity and embedded software leader, BlackBerry’s view is that Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp could make great partners in our drive toward a securely connected future, and we continue to hold this door open to them.”
“We intend to fight”
Facebook’s deputy general counsel, Paul Grewal responded: “Blackberry’s suit sadly reflects the current state of its messaging business. Having abandoned its efforts to innovate, BlackBerry is now looking to tax the innovation of others. We intend to fight.”
However, BB alleges that several Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp services, like the ability to post and receive notifications across platforms, are offered by using BlackBerry’s patented technology.
BlackBerry also filed a similar patent infringement lawsuit against Nokia in February 2017.
