RIM battler NTP has signed a licensing agreement with Visto that will assure mobile data fiends of a "viable alternative" to the popular Blackberry device.

Under the terms of the deal, Visto has gained access to NTP's patented methods for sending and receiving wireless data, while NTP has taken an equity stake in Visto. The NTP IP is meant to complement Visto's existing mobile data software. Of course, the deal between the two firms also paves the way for a couple shots against RIM, which remains embroiled in a patent conflict with NTP.

"Users of Visto Mobile can be assured of access to mobile email and data as they are licensed to use NTP's intellectual property," said Donald Stout, a NTP co-founder. "We are excited about our ownership stake in Visto's future."

Visto's CEO Brian Bogosian was more direct.

"Mobile users now know that Visto provides a safe and secure harbor that today Blackberry cannot offer its own customers," he said.

The popularity of RIM's Blackberry device needs little detailing here. Many Blackberry users, however, remain concerned about the immediate future of their precious communicator with NTP apparently rejecting RIM's latest offer to settle their legal war.

RIM had once offered a $450m settlement, but the deal crumbled, and the two companies have since continued to battle in the courts. ®

Related stories

• RIM nemesis slaps patent suit on Apple, Google, Microsoft... (9 July 2010)

  https://www.theregister.com/2010/07/09/ntp_patent_lawsuit/

• BlackBerry rival Visto pushes job cuts (4 April 2008)

  https://www.theregister.com/2008/04/04/visto_job_cuts/

• RIM countersues Visto over patent spat (4 May 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/05/04/rim_sues_visto/

• Visto sues Seven, targets RIM (2 May 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/05/02/visto_sues_seven_rim/

• RIM puts $613m settlement in motion (3 March 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/03/03/rim_ntp_settle/

• RIM prepares to post ban-beating Blackberry update (9 February 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/02/09/rim_workaround_details/

• Visto claims Good done bad (1 February 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/02/01/visto_sues_good/

• RIM: US economy up spout if Blackberry shut out (19 January 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/01/19/rim_argues_again_court_shutdown/

• Intel backs RIM in Supreme Court appeal bid (12 January 2006)

  https://www.theregister.com/2006/01/12/intel_backs_rim/

• RIM cuts Q4 subscriber forecast - again (22 December 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/12/22/rim_results_q3_06/

• RIM 'close' to revealing injunction-busting technology (20 December 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/12/20/rim_vs_ntp/

• Visto sues Microsoft for sync patent infringement (15 December 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/12/15/visto_microsoft_patent_infringement/

• NTP rejects RIM settlement offer (12 December 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/12/12/ntp_rejects_rim/

• US Patent Office rejects remaining NTP vs RIM patent (5 December 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/12/05/uspto_rejects_ntp_patent/

• RIM battles PDA patent holder in UK court (1 December 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/12/01/rim_vs_elonex_inpro/

• Weary Judge wants RIM to write the cheque (1 December 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/12/01/rim_ntp/

• Mobile patents war shifts to email (29 November 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/11/29/mobile_email_patents_war/

• Voda's Blackberry alternative hits the UK (25 November 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/11/25/voda_blackberry_alternative/

• RIM reduces Q3, Q4 new-user totals (24 November 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/11/24/rim_cuts_new_subscriber_numbers/

• RIM touts 'NTP-beating' Blackberry update (17 November 2005)

  https://www.theregister.com/2005/11/17/rim_ntp_workaround/