Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has shown interest in buying the long suffering BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) intellectual property and other patents. But it seems like BlackBerry is not interested in locking any IP purchase deal with anyone right now, according to Reuters.
BlackBerry refuses to split up
Over the past month, BlackBerry has lured many big names in the technology industry, including Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), but Apple will undoubtedly be the strongest bidder, with more cash on hand, and the most likely to make BlackBerry a compelling offer.
In its report, Reuters mentioned, “BlackBerry Ltd’s board does not believe a break-up of the Canadian smartphone maker is currently in its best interests, even though Microsoft Corp, Apple Inc and Lenovo Group Ltd, among others, have expressed interest in acquiring parts of the company, according to people familiar with the discussions.”
The report said that the board of the Canadian firm rejected bids from various technology companies to sell its assets off in parts as that will not be in the best interest of investors, employees, customers and suppliers. It added that both Microsoft and Apple have shown interest in purchasing BlackBerry’s intellectual property and patents.
IP to help Apple in patent battles
As of now, the precise information over the patent and Intellectual property in which Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is interested is not known, but it is believed that if the iPhone maker can get its hands on the patents it wants, it will be a huge plus for Apple in its patent-related battles with other smartphone makers. Apple can also use the patents to enhance its iOS enterprise.
Apart from the IP, Apple may be hoping to acquire BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB)’s secure messaging architecture, enterprise features and device management software. At present, the value of BlackBerry’s patent is pegged at around $3 billion, and includes several new patents covering recent developments in cellular and communications technologies.
BlackBerry struggling
The Canadian smartphone maker, which was once the leader in smartphone industry, wrote off approximately $1 billion in unsold smartphones and laid off 4,500 employees, one of the largest layoffs ever for a Canadian company.
Recent smartphones BlackBerry Z10 and Q10 failed to woo customers, and prices were slashed rapidly within few months after the launch. BlackBerry Ltd (NASDAQ:BBRY) (TSE:BB) Messenger managed to secure ten million downloads on Android within 24 hours, but is facing a tough time due to competitors like Viber, WhatsApp, Hangouts and Skype.
