Microsoft, Intel Split on BlackBerry Spat

Apple is not the only company dealing with patent issues. CNET reports that Microsoft and Intel are taking opposing sides in a long-running patent dispute between Research in Motion (RIM) and NTP. Microsoft, which competes with RIM in the mobile platform arena is siding with NTP while Intel is supporting RIM.

Gartner analyst Todd Kort said, "Intel has an interest in resolving RIM's case quickly because all of the next generation of BlackBerry devices will be based on Intel chips. Microsoft sees a benefit to dragging out the legal fight between RIM and NTP because it could limit the amount of BlackBerry devices sold."

Kort noted that neither Intel nor Microsoft's views should impact the outcome. "We are telling clients that we don't think the courts will impose an injunction at this time. The U.S. Patent Office is taking care of that. They have been throwing out NTP patents right and left," Kort said.