Shares in struggling BlackBerry-maker RIM took another hit yesterday as the firm found itself the subject of legal action from NXP Semiconductors.

The Dutch-based semiconductor firm alleges that certain versions of the BlackBerry and RIM’s PlayBook tablet infringed on patents issued to it between 1997 and 2008, reports Reuters. The patents in question relate to design, data transmission and other features of the devices.

Although NXP has not put a dollar value on its claim, it demands a halt to the alleged infringements and seeks to recover what it claims as “lost profit, reasonable royalties and triple damages for willful infringements,” according to the report.

NXP filed its lawsuit on Monday in the US District Court in Orlando, Florida, in the US. A RIM spokesperson declined to comment.

"It's a lawsuit aimed at extracting some money from RIM at a time when RIM is most vulnerable," Alex Poltorak of General Patent Corp, a firm that provides patent consulting, told Reuters.

He adds that RIM may seek a quick settlement in the NXP case as pending litigation could complicate any sale talks the struggling firm may be having with potential acquirers.

In afternoon trading on the Nasdaq yesterday, RIM fell US$1.10, or 7.6 percent, to US$13.27 in response to the litigation.