It has long been rumoured that BlackBerry maker RIM has been in takeover discussions after a dismal year, but Reuters is now confirming that these discussions have been taking place.
Reuters is claiming that Amazon hired an investment bank to review RIM with an eye for a potential merger or takeover.
It is unclear whether the discussions ever reached a point where prices were discussed or paperwork drawn up.
The company’s board wants co-chief executives Mike Lazaridis and Jim Balsillie to focus on the upcoming (and now delayed) launch of its new BlackBerry 10 phones and the better use of its existing assets. RIM and Amazon have declined to comment.
The news caused the company’s shares to jump by 10% on the NASDAQ, after a year that has seen 80% of the company’s value wiped out in what has been a very rough year.
Amazon and RIM have also been in discussions to expand commercial ties, including a possible integration of Amazon’s music and book stores, the source said.
The Wall Street Journal also reported that the company was approached by the Microsoft and Nokia partnership with an eye to a takeover, which was similarly rejected.
RIM is also look at licensing out its new QNX operating system after the late 2012 launch of BlackBerry 10 to give other handset makers an alternative to Google’s Android operating system. RIM has allegedly approach HTC and Samsung with offers, which were rejected.
