BlackBerry’s March 21, 2023 announcement described an agreement to sell substantially all its non-core patents and applications to Malikie Innovations Limited, a newly formed subsidiary of Key Patent Innovations Limited (KPI).
BlackBerry then described itself as based in Waterloo, Ontario.
Sold and excluded
The announced portfolio comprised approximately 32,000 patents and applications, primarily relating to mobile devices, messaging and wireless networking.
Excluded were patents and applications needed for BlackBerry’s then-current core operations; approximately 120 non-core patent families representing approximately 2,000 patents and applications, primarily standards essential; and all then-existing revenue-generating agreements.
The licence back
The announcement said BlackBerry would receive a licence back to the patents being sold.
On May 11, 2023, KPI reported that the acquisition conditions had been satisfied and its subsidiary Malikie had completed the purchase of approximately 32,000 patents and applications.
BlackBerry’s fiscal 2024 Form 10-K subsequently recorded the May 11 completion and confirmed that BlackBerry received a licence back to the sold patents.
That confirms receipt, without establishing the licence’s duration, exclusivity, transferability or sublicensing terms.
The cited passages do not set out the licence or itemized asset schedules.
For your proposed sale, ask which document identifies the transferred assets, the exclusions and the exact permission you would receive.
For general information and education, not legal, tax, investment or valuation advice. Reported transactions do not predict your business’s value, financing terms or sale outcome. Consult qualified advisers about your situation.
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