US District Judge James Spencer indicated today that he wants Research In Motion to settle its patent dispute with NTP once and for all.

"I've spent enough of my life and time on NTP and RIM," said Judge Spencer earlier this month.

With the Supreme Court turning down RIM's request to stay an injunction which might close down the Blackberry network, Spencer closed down two more legal options for the Canadian company, and instructed the lawyers to prepare arguments for suspending the service.

He declined RIM's request to delay the case until the US Patent and Trademarks Office, which has already reviewed and rejected a number of NTP patents, completed its review the remainder.

He also rejected RIM's request to enforce the $450m settlement agreed with NTP earlier this year, which NTP then said wasn't satisfactory. This effectively renders the old settlement dead. Spencer wants both sides to agree a new figure.

Two weeks ago, RIM said it has a software upgrade ready to roll free of NTP IP, which would allow it to continue operating the Blackberry network in case the injunction. ®