Could the four million reported BlackBerry users in this nation be affected by Research in Motion’s petition in favor of the hand-held electronic e-mail device?

The issue stirring Research in Motion, the maker of the BlackBerry, began in 2001 when NTP, Inc., a patent-holding company from Virginia, filed suit against RIM on the grounds that BlackBerry violated a patent law in the United States.

Though a jury ruled in favor of NTP and a settlement of $450 million was negotiated between the two companies, the arrangement was broken in 2005. RIM petitioned the case to be brought before the U.S. Supreme Court for judicial review.

The Supreme Court chose not to review this appeal last Tuesday.

Though the case is still being processed for a final decision, this conflict could possibly lead to the death of the nation’s hand-held e-mail system.

Brittany Seria, a sophomore from Parker, Texas, feels the absence of the e-mailing system would greatly affect her relations with her friends and family back home.

“My dad travels a lot for his job, so the only way we can stay connected is through e-mailing on my BlackBerry,” Seria said.