2. RIM vs NTP

The Defense Department claimed that the dispute between NTP and Research In Motion threatened national security. This dispute had could have shut down the popular wireless e-mail service for its 3 million users.

In 2000, NTP accused RIM of violating its e-mail patents. RIM argued the technology was in the public domain before NTP registered the patents. The court was in favour of NTP.

The Defense Department told the court that so many of its employees relied on RIM, that the phone was crucial for national defense.

The two sides settled for national secuirty when RIM agreed to pay $612 million. Under the settlement, NTP granted RIM the right to keep running its BlackBerry business. RIM had negotiated a settlement with NTP of $450 million earlier in 2004, but the deal was not completed.

Also, Microsoft and Motorola missed a gigantic opportunity as they could have capitalized on RIM's situation by introducing major wireless products, but that they had not done so.