Dolby Laboratories filed a patent infringement lawsuit against RIM late in the week, adding to RIM’s already bad week.

[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]Dolby claims that RIM infringes on patents covering “highly efficient digital audio compression technologies which allow manufacturers and consumers to provide and enjoy high quality audio while using extremely limited amounts of transmission and/or storage space for such audio.”

Dolby says its technology is found in the BlackBerry and PlayBook devices. All other smartphone manufacturers license this same technology for their devices, according to Dolby.

“Litigation was regrettably our last resort after RIM declined to pay for the use of Dolby’s technology,” said Andy Sherman, executive vice president and general counsel of Dolby. “We have a duty to protect our intellectual property.”

The lawsuit seeks damages and an injunction to halt sales of the BlackBerry and PlayBook.