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11/22/2024 11:05:06 am

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Typo Sued Again by BlackBerry over Typo 2 Case

typo-2-case

(Photo : Typo) In legal trouble again.

Ryan Seacrest's startup Typo has run into even more issues with Canadian-based smartphone maker BlackBerry following the launch of the Typo 2 iPhone keyboard case.

The original Typo case failed to make a dent in the mobile keyboard market but that didn't stop BlackBerry from swooping in to stop sales of the keyboard.

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Almost a year later, and after an $860,000 fine for continuing to sell the keyboard, the Typo 2 is a refined design minus some of the BlackBerry characteristics.

That's not enough for BlackBerry however. They've once again sued the startup for allegedly ripping-off the iconic BlackBerry keyboard, one of the only unique features of BlackBerry smartphones.

"The Typo2 Keyboard still blatantly copies BlackBerry's iconic keyboard trade dress designs that have been embodied in numerous BlackBerry smartphones from the 2007 BlackBerry 8800 to the current Q10 and Classic models," said BlackBerry in its complaint.

Typo 2 had more favorable reviews when it launched a few months ago but it still looks to be a very niche product for iPhone users that want the classic BlackBerry typing experience.

If the court rules in favor of BlackBerry, it might be the end of the keyboard startup considering both of its products have been blocked within the first few months of sale.

Typo will most likely not see any help from Apple, another company that will use legal force to stop companies infringing on its design.

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