RIM/NTP given deadline
A federal judge ordered both sides in the bitter BlackBerry battle to file court briefs by Feb. 1, setting the stage for a possible injunction if the case can't be settled. BlackBerry maker Research In Motion Ltd. and patent-holding company NTP Inc. had been in talks earlier this month. U.S. District Judge James Spencer's deadline set Friday could put more pressure on RIM to settle, perhaps for up to $1 billion. Spencer said he would schedule a hearing next month.