BlackBerry Files Lawsuit Against Typo Over Second-Generation iPhone Keyboard Case

blackberry.jpg

Today, BlackBerry filed a second lawsuit against Typo Products, the startup that was backed by Ryan Seacrest, alleging that its second-generation iPhone keyboard case continues to infringe upon its intellectual property.

According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter, BlackBerry filed a complaint in a California federal court on Monday, claiming that the Typo2 “slavishly copied” its keyboard design. The complaint states:

“Just as they did with the Typo Keyboard, Defendants have again copied numerous proprietary BlackBerry designs and patents in the Typo2 Keyboard. The Typo2 Keyboard still blatantly copies BlackBerry’s iconic keyboard trade dress designs that have been embodied in numerous BlackBerry smartphones from the 2007 BlackBerry 8800 to the current Q10 and Classic models. The Typo2 Keyboard also infringes numerous BlackBerry utility patents related to BlackBerry’s proprietary keyboard design, backlighting and typing automation technologies.”

Typo Products initially clashed with BlackBerry shortly after they debuted their first-generation Typo case in late 2013. Seacrest’s goal was to create a physical keyboard for the iPhone that was as good as the keyboard on BlackBerry phones. Unfortunately for him, the keyboard looks like an exact replica of the Waterloo-based company’s keyboard.

Typo6_Shot1_Final_fix_1024x1024.jpg

BlackBerry filed an injunction against the first-generation device and won. This lawsuit prompted Typo Products to create Typo2, a second-generation case that the company claimed didn’t violate any BlackBerry patents. According to BlackBerry, the Typo2 is only a “minimally modified derivative version” of the original case that continues to infringe on the company’s intellectual property.

Earlier this month, the iPhone keyboard case maker was ordered to pay BlackBerry $860,000 because they continued to sell their case after they were ordered to cease sales in March.

[via Reuters]

P.S. - Like our news? Support the site with a coffee/beer. Or shop with our Amazon link. We use affiliate links when possible--thank you for supporting independent media.