NTP sets sights on AT&T, Sprint Nextel, VZW

NTP Inc. jumped back into the litigation ring, filing patent-infringement suits against three of the four largest U.S. carriers.
The Virginia-based patent-holding company targeted AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc., reportedly claiming the operators are violating eight of its patents for mobile e-mail. Some of the patents included in the suits were also at the heart of NTP’s epic legal battle with BlackBerry-maker Research In Motion Ltd.
AT&T did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while Sprint Nextel said it is reviewing the complaint. Verizon Wireless said it did not have a comment on the suit.
RIM settled that lawsuit last year for a whopping $612.5 million following a four-year tussle that subsequently helped spark congressional consideration of patent-reform law. The Patent Reform Act cleared the House of Representatives last week in a close vote, but the effort faces opposition as it heads to the Senate.
NTP filed lawsuits against the network operators in the same Richmond, Va. courthouse that heard the RIM case.