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Certicom Scoffs at RIM Takeover Bid as “Opportunistic”

Categories: Marketing,
By: , IntoMobile
Friday, December 12th, 2008 at 7:55 AM

Research in Motion

BlackBerry-maker Research in Motion had initiated a takeover of nearby security firm Certicom last week, but Certicom’s senior management is none too happy about it.

“It is however the preliminary view of Certicom’s special committee that the timing and the approach of the RIM offer are highly opportunistic, and it believes that RIM’s offer clearly undervalues Certicom,” the company said of the offer that values Certicom at $66 million.

Shareholders might agree, since their stock price has spiked to $1.43 from $0.83 before the offer, but that may turn right around if the takeover bid doesn’t go through. A previous announcement, Certicom said they’re looking into alternatives, but we haven’t heard much from other interested parties. It would certainly be interesting if another manufacturer swooped in and outbid RIM, leaving them high and dry with one less partner to work with. Other acquisitions, like Chalk’s, have gone through relatively painlessly, but we’re left to wonder if RIM really is being opportunistic about the economic downturn. Maybe a few more buyouts are on the way…

[via Canadian Press]

About The Author

Simon Sage

Simon Sage’s education largely surrounded writing, technology and online community, leading him to begin his blogging career at www.BlackBerryCool.com and to quickly discover a vibrant and active community surrounding BlackBerry and mobile technology. In exploring RIM’s platform, he has learned what enterprises are looking for in mobility as well as what makes the innocuous BlackBerry so appealing to them. Recently Simon’s been covering RIM’s gradual move into an already-crowded consumer market, and the impact of burgeoning challengers, such as the iPhone, as well as long-time leaders, like Nokia, on BlackBerry’s advancement. With plenty of content under his belt, Simon will be branching off a bit to see what other smartphone manufacturers are working on while still using BlackBerry as a barometer. At IntoMobile, you can count on his posts being even-handed, well-informed and thought-out.