The U.S. judge overseeing the patent infringement case against BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. on Friday ordered both sides to file final legal briefs by February 1 as he considers a request that could halt the popular mobile e-mail service. U.S. District Judge James Spencer set filing deadlines for both RIM and the plaintiff in the case, patent holding company NTP Inc., which is seeking a shutdown of most U.S. BlackBerry sales and service in the United States.
According to an order issued by the judge, both sides have until January 17 to submit briefs on a possible injunction and damages. They then have until February 1 to respond to each other. Spencer said he would contact the sides next month to schedule a court hearing.
“I would guess that the hearing would be about a week after (the final briefs are filed),” NTP lawyer James Wallace said.
