They have a special if you sign your life away for 2 years you can get a little older model for only $99 Down, and 40-90 per month. They are nice, used to use one myself. Just make sure you don't kill the KB if you get it from them, it won't be covered...long story short $267 out of your pocket to fix it or ( i think I paid) $365 to get out of contract... Just be careful with it and make sure you buy accessories, namely the hard shell for it. You'll love the freedom.
Don't think you should worry about this...the legal problems will eventually be solved...the US patent holding company (NT) will end up being very wealthy with little work. Unless you call buying a US patent and then suing companies work!
Rim will settle for a billion...I think the last offer was 600m which was turned down, or they will engineer their way around it. My money is on the grand payout.