Ntp, Inc. v. Research In Motion, Ltd.

418 F.3d 1282 (2005)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

The inventions relate to systems for integrating existing electronic mail systems with wireless communication networks, to enable a mobile user to receive email over a wireless network. Campana developed an electronic mail system that was claimed in the '960, '670, '172, '451, and '592 patents. Campana integrated existing electronic mail systems with RF wireless communications networks. A message may be transmitted not only by wireline but also via RF, in which case it is received by the user and stored on his or her mobile RF receiver. The user can view the message on the RF receiver and, at some later point, connect the RF receiver to a fixed destination processor. This eliminates the requirement that the destination processor be turned on and carried with the user to receive messages. D is a Canadian corporation with its principal place of business in Waterloo, Ontario. D's BlackBerry allows out-of-office users to continue to receive and send electronic mail, or 'email' communications, using a small wireless device. The system utilizes the following components: (1) the BlackBerry handheld unit; (2) email redirector software; and (3) access to a nationwide wireless network. In all of D’s different solutions, emails were copied and routed to the BlackBerry “Relay.” The Relay was located in Canada. From there the messages were then delivered to the proper mobile device user. The BlackBerry system uses 'push' email technology to route messages to the user's handheld device without a user-initiated connection. There are multiple BlackBerry email 'solutions' that interface with different levels of the user's email system. D has a Desktop solution, a Corporation solution, and an Internet solution. D's system also permits users to send email messages over the wireless network from their handhelds. P sued D for infringement. The district court 'construed the disputed terms according to their plain and ordinary meaning, as supported by the specification and prosecution history.' D asked for a summary judgment of both non-infringement and invalidity. D argued (1) that the asserted claims did not read on the accused D systems, and (2) that the physical location of the 'Relay' component put RIM's allegedly infringing conduct outside the reach of §271. The district court disagreed. P asked the district court to grant partial summary judgment of infringement on four claims of the patents-in-suit. D cross-moved for summary judgment of non-infringement, arguing that its products lacked certain limitations required by the asserted claims. The district court agreed with P. It granted summary judgment, except as to the issue of infringement of claim 15 of the '960 patent or claim 248 of the '451 patent by the BlackBerry series 5810 handheld device. The case proceeded to trial on fourteen claims. The jury found for P. The jury found direct, induced, and contributory infringement. The jury also found that the infringement was willful. It awarded damages in the amount of approximately $23 million. P moved for JMOL or, in the alternative, for a new trial. The court denied the motion and awarded monetary damages totaling $53,704,322.69. D appealed.