'American Idol' Host Ryan Seacrest's Typo Keyboard for iPhone Being Sued by Blackberry for Patent Infringement [WATCH VIDEO]

Typo Says Blackberry Lawsuit Has No Merit

A woman speaks on her iPhone as she walks on a busy street in downtown Shanghai in this September 10, 2013 file photo. For all the hype, Apple Inc's long-awaited iPhone agreement with China Mobile Ltd may deliver little more than a fleeting revenue jolt for the U.S. giant. A deal with the world's largest mobile carrier, expected as early as this week, nets Apple 759 million potential new customers that could generate $3 billion in 2014 revenue, or nearly one-quarter of Apple's projected revenue growth in its current fiscal year. REUTERS/Aly Song/Files

"American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest's Typo Keyboard for iPhone is being sued by Blackberry for patent infringement. Blackberry Ltd. filed a lawsuit in the Northern District of California against Typo Products LLC on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014.

Blackberry claims that Typo Keyboards' Keyboard Case for iPhone 5/5S illegally copied their QWERTY keyboard technology and designs, which they have pioneered years ago for their smartphones.

Blackberry Ltd. is reportedly seeking a court order preventing Typo Products LLC from selling its Typo Keyboards' Keyboard Case for iPhone 5/5S without a licensing agreement. Blackberry Ltd. is also seeking unspecified damages from Typo Products LLC. Blackberry Ltd. released an official press statement on Jan. 3, 2014 about the lawsuit it filed against Typo.

"This is a blatant infringement against BlackBerry's iconic keyboard, and we will vigorously protect our intellectual property against any company that attempts to copy our unique design. From the beginning, BlackBerry has always focused on offering an exceptional typing experience that combines a great design with ergonomic excellence. We are flattered by the desire to graft our keyboard onto other smartphones, but we will not tolerate such activity without fair compensation for using our intellectual property and our technological innovations," said BlackBerry's General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer Steve Zipperstein in Blackberry's press release which can be found on its Web site.

CREDIT: YouTube/Typo Keyboards

Typo Products LLC was co-founded by "American Idol" host Ryan Seacrest and entrepreneur Laurence Hallier, who also serves as Typo's CEO. The Typo Keyboards' Keyboard Case for iPhone 5/5S co-inventors are Ryan Hyde and Jonathan Goodrich.

According to Typo's Web site, the Typo Keyboard Case for iPhone 5/5S was created to eliminate the need to carry two phones. It also encourages loyal Blackberry users, who are partial to the company's tactile keyboards, to switch on over to iPhone.

Typo Products LLC hasn't released the Typo Keyboard Case for iPhone 5/5S out in the market, but the company is already accepting pre-orders for $99 USD.

According to Tech Times, Typo Products LLC has responded to the allegations of Blackberry Ltd. by saying that Typo will defend itself in court because Blackberry's lawsuit has "no merit." Typo emailed the statement found below to Tech Times.

"We are aware of the lawsuit that Blackberry filed against Typo Products. Although we respect Blackberry and its intellectual property, we believe that Blackberry's claims against Typo lack merit and we intend to defend the case vigorously. We are excited about our innovative keyboard design, which is the culmination of years of development and research. The Typo keyboard has garnered an overwhelmingly positive response from the public. We are also looking forward to our product launch at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next week and remain on track to begin shipping pre-orders at the end of January," said Typo LLC company spokesperson Joanne Freed in a Tech Times report.

Seacrest could not be reached for comments about Blackberry's lawsuit against Typo Products LLC as of this writing.