On Friday, RIM indicated it’s ready to get back to business by acquiring Ascendant Systems. Ascendant’s technology enables cell phones to work with PBX-based corporate phone systems. Once the technologies are integrated, RIM promises you’ll be able to use your BlackBerry like your office phone, using call forwarding, transferring calls, making conference calls, etc.
RIM’s settlement last week with NTP for $612.5 million dollars was the ultimate reminder of the value of intellectual property at the heart of any technology company. Even if the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office eventually overturns NTP's patents, NTP gets to keep the cash.
RIM settled to put this nightmare behind the company. Its CEO Jim Balsillie was quoted as saying: "We really did this to give certainty, and calmness and comfort to our ecosystem."
Like many a company that has traveled this frustrating path, RIM did what was in the best interest of shareholders and customers.
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