TeleCommunication Systems (TCS) today revealed that it has begun a lawsuit against BlackBerry creator Research in Motion for patent infringement. The complaint from the Maryland-based company alleges that RIM is violating a patent for a universal wireless e-mail reader by making available a multi-network mail client that can check multiple services at once and at different intervals; TCS has been negotiating with RIM to license the technology but chose to sue once discussions proved unsuccessful, according to the complaint.

The Waterloo, Canada-based BlackBerry designer has not formally responded to the lawsuit but is expected to dispute the accusation and bring the matter to court if a settlement is not reached ahead of a trial.