Important dates in the BlackBerry patent dispute, which pits a small patent holding company, NTP Inc., against the device`s maker, Research In Motion Ltd., or RIM.

Nov. 13, 2001 -- NTP, formed by the late inventor Thomas Campana and attorney Don Stout, sues Research In Motion Ltd. in federal court in Alexandria, claiming patent infringement. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court in Richmond.

Nov. 21, 2002 -- A federal jury decides in favor of NTP and awards $23.1 million in damages.

May 23, 2003 -- U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer increases the royalty rate for NTP, boosting total damages and fees to $210 million. Later, Spencer issues an injunction that would essentially shut down the U.S. BlackBerry operation but stays it pending appeals.

Dec. 14, 2004 -- A U.S. appeals court sides mostly with the lower court.

March 16 -- RIM announces that it has agreed to a $450 million settlement. The deal later unravels.

Aug. 2 -- The appeals court reissues its previous opinion with some changes. The opinion still largely sides with the lower court but has some changes favorable to RIM.

Sept. 28 -- The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office says -- preliminarily -- that it has rejected the last of eight NTP patents it is re-examining. Five of those patents are at the core of NTP`s suit.

Oct. 7 -- The appeals court refuses to re-consider the ruling of its three-judge panel.

Oct. 21 -- The appeals court denies a motion to delay the case. Five days later, the U.S. Supreme Court does the same.

Nov. 9 -- Back in Richmond, Judge Spencer makes it clear he wants to wrap things up quickly. He is expected to rule by the month`s end on whether the two sides had a valid settlement. If not, he could re-issue the injunction, though analysts are betting on a quick settlement.

Let`s pray the fuji4 settle out of court or it will be years before any of the 150+ infringers will be compelled to settle.

I ain`t holding my breath!!

Happy Thanksgiving to all, and to everyone the patience to see this through. The very thought of a logical conclusion for TPL/PTSC is awe inspiring.

Raillery