Blackberry 2012 Annual Report Download - page 255

Q: Judith is an ambitious RIM employee involved in many outside activities. In addition to her work for RIM, she also works part-
time as a start-up consultant for a variety of technology companies unrelated to the business of RIM. She is also an active member of
an advisory board for a telecommunications venture capital company. Her outside endeavors do not interfere with her job
responsibilities at RIM. Does Judith still have a duty to disclose her activities?
A: Yes. While Judith may pursue outside activities that do not interfere with her job duties, she must still disclose these activities for
consideration. Judith may not realize it, but she could be creating a conflict of interest situation by advising future RIM suppliers,
business partners or competitors. We should always come forward with this information so that our Company can help us avoid
potential conflicts.
Corporate Opportunities
RIM enables each of us to be successful. In return, it is our responsibility to help RIM be the best it can be. This means, in part, that
we never take personal advantage of a business or investment opportunity that we become aware of through our work for RIM.
Unless and until RIM has been able to evaluate such an opportunity and has chosen not to pursue it, we must avoid it. Even after RIM
has chosen not to pursue the opportunity, we must seek approval before acting on the opportunity ourselves. For guidance on how to
deal with corporate opportunities, contact the Legal Department at [e-mail].
Holding Outside Financial Interests
RIM respects our right to manage our personal finances. However, some outside financial interests may improperly influence—or
could be perceived by others to influence—your performance of your job at RIM. This influence may arise, for example, because of
the amount of your investment or the particular organization in which you invested, such as a RIM competitorcustomer, supplier or
other business partner. It is not typically a conflict of interest to make investments in RIM competitors, customers, suppliers, or other
business partners so long as:
The amount of the investment is not so significant to you that it would affect your business judgment on behalf of RIM
If you, or a member of your immediate family who resides with you, own(s) or seek(s) to own any such financial interest, promptly
disclose the matter and seek the approvals noted above.
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