Full Description

Research In Motion Limited (RIM), incorporated on March 7, 1984, is a designer, manufacturer and marketer of wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for access to information, including e-mail, phone, short message service (SMS), Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM’s portfolio of products, services and embedded technologies are used by organizations worldwide and include the BlackBerry wireless solution, the RIM Wireless Handheld product line, software development tools and software. RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2009 (fiscal 2009), the Company launched a number of new devices, including the BlackBerry Bold 9000, BlackBerry Storm 9500 and 9530, BlackBerry Pearl Flip 8220 and 8230, and the BlackBerry Curve 8350i and 8900. In January 2009, the Company completed the acquisition of Chalk Media Corp. In March 2009, RIM completed the acquisition of Certicom Corp.

The BlackBerry wireless solution consists of BlackBerry smartphones, software and services. It can provide users with a wireless extension of their work and personal e-mail accounts, including Microsoft Outlook, IBM Lotus Notes, Novell GroupWise and many Internet service provider (ISP) e-mail services. When incorporating BlackBerry Enterprise Server, the BlackBerry wireless solution allows Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise users to send and receive corporate e-mail and instant messages. The BlackBerry wireless solution also enables the use of data functions, such as calendar, address book, task and memo lists, and other functions associated with personal organizers. The BlackBerry Mobile Data System (BlackBerry MDS), allows users to access data from enterprise applications and the Internet.

The BlackBerry Mobile Voice System (BlackBerry MVS) allows organizations to converge office desk phones and BlackBerry smartphones, so users can access enterprise voice features whether at their desks or on the go. BlackBerry Internet Service allows the integration of up to 10 supported e-mail accounts on the same BlackBerry smartphone. Both BlackBerry Enterprise Server and BlackBerry Internet Service allow Internet browsing and phone functionality on the user’s device. In addition, BlackBerry smartphones offer a range of multimedia capabilities. The BlackBerry wireless solution service is provided through a combination of RIM’s Network Operations Center and the wireless networks of RIM’s carrier partners.

RIM markets various models of its smartphones, including BlackBerry Storm Series, BlackBerry Bold, BlackBerry Curve Series, BlackBerry Pearl Flip Series, BlackBerry Pearl Series, BlackBerry 8800 Series, and BlackBerry 8700 Series. In fiscal 2009, RIM announced the BlackBerry App World storefront to offer BlackBerry smartphone users a variety of applications. RIM also offers the BlackBerry Connect Licensing Program. This licensing program brings the BlackBerry push technology to a variety of devices from manufacturers.

BlackBerry smartphones are communication tools that use wireless, push-based technology to deliver both business and consumer applications to mobile users. BlackBerry smartphones integrate e-mail, voice, browser, calendar, tasks, and other applications and data to give users the features and functionality they need to communicate with others. BlackBerry smartphones are available from carriers and indirect channels, through a range of distribution partners. The blackberry smart phones available include The BlackBerry Storm Series, BlackBerry Bold smartphone, BlackBerry Curve Series, The BlackBerry Pearl Flip Series, The BlackBerry Pearl Series and BlackBerry 8700 Series. BlackBerry Enterprise Solutions include BlackBerry Enterprise Server, BlackBerry Mobile Data System, BlackBerry Mobile Voice System, BlackBerry Mobile Voice System, BlackBerry Professional Software and Hosted BlackBerry services. The Company generates revenues from BlackBerry service relating to monthly access billings charged to its BlackBerry subscriber account base. The Company’s service revenue is generated by charging a monthly infrastructure access fee to a carrier/reseller when a carrier or other reseller bills the end customer.

The Company competes with Apple Inc., Casio Inc., Danger, Inc., Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson, Fujitsu Limited, HandEra, Inc., General Dynamics Inc., Hewlett-Packard Company, Hitachi America, Ltd., Intermec Technologies Corporation, Kyocera International Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation, Motorola, Inc., NEC Corp., Nokia Corp., Novatel Wireless, Inc., NTT DoCoMo Inc., Option NV, Palm, Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Sendo Ltd., Sharp Corporation, Sierra Wireless Inc., Sony Corporation, Sony Ericsson Inc., IBM Corporation, Microsoft Corporation, Notify Technology Corporation, Openwave Systems Inc., Seven Networks, Inc. and Sybase, Inc.