- BlackBerry (BB) has agreed to sell its non-core patents and patent applications to Malikie Innovations for up to $900 million in cash and potential future royalties
- The transaction will strengthen BlackBerry’s balance sheet and enable increased focus on its core IoT and cybersecurity opportunities
- Malikie will initially pay BlackBerry $170 million in cash and an additional $30 million in cash by the third anniversary of closing
- The sale includes approximately 32,000 patents and applications, primarily relating to mobile devices, messaging, and wireless networking, while excluding patents necessary to support BlackBerry’s current core business operations
- BlackBerry provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world
- BlackBerry (BB) opened trading at $5.00 per share
BlackBerry (BB) has agreed to sell most of its non-core patents and applications to Malikie Innovations.
Malikie Innovations, a subsidiary of Key Patent Innovations Limited, will pay cash and potential future royalties totaling up to $900 million.
The patents and applications relate primarily to mobile devices, messaging, and wireless networking, and will be sold for $170 million in cash on closing and an additional $30 million in cash no later than the third anniversary of closing.
BlackBerry will also receive annual cash royalties from the profits generated from the patents.
The sale excludes patents and applications that support BlackBerry’s current core business operations and 120 monetizable non-core patent families relating to mobile devices.
BlackBerry will receive a license back to the patents being sold, and the transaction will not affect the use of any of BlackBerry’s products, solutions, or services.
The deal is not subject to financing conditions and has been funded by a US-based investment firm with over $30 billion of assets under management.
The completion of the transaction is subject to satisfaction of all regulatory conditions under the Hart–Scott–Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act in the U.S. and the Investment Canada Act.
BlackBerry has terminated its agreement with Catapult IP Innovations, which was unable to secure financing to complete the previously announced transaction.
BlackBerry provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world.
BlackBerry (BB) opened trading at $5.00 per share.
