BlackBerry sues Snap after Facebook, Instagram over patent infringement

BlackBerry has sued Snap Inc. - the parent company behind Snapchat over digital messaging patents. The company claims that these patents were used to develop the once-popular BBM messaging service. BlackBerry has accused Snap of infringing on six of its patents which the company filed between 2012 and 2014. Snap is yet to give its word on the matter.

"BlackBerry has a well-earned reputation for protecting and securing our customers' data and privacy. For more than a year we have been working to establish a dialogue with Snap as we believe there are far more opportunities for partnership than disagreement. While we continue to hold this door open, we also have a strong claim that Snap infringed on our intellectual property, harmed our shareholders, and we have an obligation to pursue appropriate legal remedies," said BlackBerry in a statement.

Earlier this month, BlackBerry also dragged the social media giant Facebook and its two associate apps -- WhatsApp and Instagram to court over similar patent infringement.

In a sprawling 117 pages complaint, BlackBerry states that the patent-protected messaging product BlackBerry Messenger, also known as BBM, set the foundation for modern mobile communications

BlackBerry claimed that the social media platform has infringed upon its patent-protected property "using a number of the innovative security, user interface, and functionality enhancing features that made BlackBerry's products such a critical and commercial success in the first place." In December 2016, BlackBerry sold the rights to design, manufacture and sell smartphones with its branding to TCL, leaving BlackBerry Limited in charge of the software end and mobile security products. BlackBerry also claims that its patents cover cryptographic techniques to protect user privacy, user interface elements of messaging and the mixing of mobile gaming and messaging.

BlackBerry is seeking to "redress for the harm caused by Defendants' unlawful use of BlackBerry's intellectual property," which may include injunctive relief and monetary damages, according to the complaint. In a statement given to Cheddar, Facebook 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."