Nokia has won its patent dispute with RIM concerning the BlackBerry maker’s use of wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, Reuters reports.

An arbitrator ruled that RIM was in breach of contract and was not entitled to manufacture or sell WLAN products without agreeing royalties with Nokia first.

Nokia signed a cross-license agreement with RIM covering standards-essential mobile technology patents in 2003 and amended the deal in 2008. In 2011, RIM sought arbitration on its argument that the license should be extended to cover WLAN patents.

Nokia filed cases in the US, UK and Canada to enforce the arbitration ruling as it looks to boost its royalty income to offset a decline in revenue from its handset business.

IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo told Reuters that the ruling could have a “significant financial impact” as all BlackBerry devices support WLAN, although volumes are currently low in the countries in which Nokia has filed cases.

Patent royalties generate revenue of around EUR500 million for Nokia every year, according to Reuters.