BlackBerry and Typo Keyboard have reached the end of a lengthy lawsuit over Typo's BlackBerry-esque iPhone case that adds a physical keyboard to the Apple product (via The Verge). The lawsuit dating back to January 2014 argued that Typo, which saw significant publicity due to Ryan Seacrest's backing, willfully infringed on patents and "blatantly copied" BlackBerry's keyboard design. Today's settlement brings the news that Typo now essentially is prevented from making keyboards for any smartphone in the future.

typoiphone6
While neither company released the full settlement terms, a brief press release from BlackBerry notes that Typo has agreed not to produce keyboards for devices with screens smaller than 7.9 inches. This essentially precludes Typo from making keyboards for any smartphone, but leaves the door open for keyboards for tablets or any other device with a screen larger than 7.9 inches.

As part of the settlement, Typo Products LLC, Typo Innovations LLC, Show Media LLC, Hallier Investments LLC, and Laurence Hallier have agreed to permanently discontinue selling anywhere in the world keyboards for smartphones and mobile devices with a screen size of less than 7.9 inches. Typo Products LLC, Typo Innovations LLC, Show Media LLC, Hallier Investments LLC, and Laurence Hallier may continue to sell keyboards for devices with a screen size of 7.9 inches or larger. Other terms of the settlement are confidential.

Thanks to BlackBerry's constant pursuit of a lawsuit against the company, the Typo Keyboard for iPhone faced a very rocky road since its debut in January of 2014. Typo kept moving forward, however, just last December introducing the Typo2 for iPhone 6 that the company promised was designed to avoid the legal pitfalls of its previous case. BlackBerry was unconvinced, however, once again filing suit against Typo over the new product in February.

Top Rated Comments

jimothyGator Avatar
127 months ago
So now Typo is going out of business. Yet another idea they're copying from Blackberry.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Cyberpower678 Avatar
127 months ago
I can't believe BlackBerry is making such a fuss over this. BlackBerries are horrible anyway. I speak from repeated experience. They're slow and clunky, and not very intuitive.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
extricated Avatar
127 months ago
I'm amazed there's even a market for this thing.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
avanpelt Avatar
127 months ago
Seacrest, out!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Mr_Brightside_@ Avatar
127 months ago
BlackBerry was suing over Typo using their IP, I'm not sure why this isn't obvious to folks. Even if they're not doing well as a company, should they just have let Typo run wild selling those products? The keyboard looks like it came out of a BlackBerry lab.

If this were a Samsung v Apple lawsuit, it would be interesting to see how the replies changed.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
KdParker Avatar
127 months ago
BlackBerry aren't coming back anytime soon, and if they do make a come back it will not be with that key board IMHO
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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