RIM Extends InterDigital Patent License Ahead Of BlackBerry 10

BlackBerry developer Research in Motion (NASDAQ: RIMM) has extended its multiyear patent licensing deal with InterDigital Inc. (NASDAQ:IDCC), clearing another obstacle ahead of this month’s introduction of the BlackBerry 10.

Terms weren’t disclosed. Last month, the Waterloo, Ontario-based smartphone developer resolved another patent dispute with Finland’s Nokia Oyj (NYSE:NOK) and later disclosed it had paid Nokia about $65 million.

InterDigital, a developer of wireless technologies in King of Prussia, Pa. -- which had tried to auction itself in 2011 in a bid to cash in on its intellectual property -- didn’t announce a value, either. The deal “continues the strong validation of InterDigital’s patent portfolio,” said Lawrence Shay, president of the company’s patent-holding subsidiaries.

RIM, which reported an unexpected third-quarter profit last month, plans to ship the long-delayed BlackBerry 10 on Jan. 30.

Shares of InterDigital rose $2.09 to $43.18 in late Monday trading, while RIM shares fell 16 cents to $11.71.