Blackberry 2016 Annual Report Download - page 24

Table of Contents
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Additionally, QNX has developed an embedded computing platform utilizing its unique micro-kernel operating system,
multimedia and infotainment platform-specific middleware, as well as acoustic processing products. This QNX Neutrino
operating system is the basis for BlackBerry 10 smartphones and supports the integration of all hardware components and
security features.
The Company engages in longer term fundamental research both directly and by selective funding of university research
projects and also endeavors to take advantage of specific government and academic financial assistance programs
to support its research activities where available. The Company also qualifies for investment tax credits on eligible
expenditures on account of Canadian scientific research and experimental development.
Third Party Software Developers
The Company provides a feature-rich open standards-based development platform, which allows third party commercial and
enterprise software developers to build and deploy custom applications to run on BlackBerry smartphones. To facilitate this, the
Company provides a number of products and technologies to third party developers, wireless carriers and enterprise customers
to enable them to develop, distribute and manage these applications. For application development, the Company provides a
suite of software development tools for BlackBerry smartphones, enabling applications to be developed using technologies
such as Java, HTML5, Javascript®, and Native C/C++/Qt with OpenGL® ES support. BlackBerry 10 will run most Android
JellyBean 4.3 applications without any code changes.
BlackBerry 10.3 preloads the Amazon Appstore with access to over 200,000 apps. Developers are encouraged to distribute
their business and productivity apps through BlackBerry World and consumer apps through Amazon Appstore. However,
developers have the choice of which store they use to distribute their applications.
QNX CAR Platform for Infotainment 2.1, based on the QNX 6.6 Software Development Platform, has the ability to run most
Android Jellybean 4.2.2 applications without any code changes.
For distribution and management of enterprise applications, the Company provides a suite of tools and technologies within
BES12 and the Good Dynamics Secure Mobility Platform to enable secure and managed provisioning of applications to
enterprise employees. This includes capabilities for both commercial packaged applications and in-house corporate
applications.
The Good Dynamics Secure Mobility Platform integrates app containerization using the Good Dynamics SDK, mobile
application management, an enterprise app store, MDM and more, simplifying the creation of mobile apps and the management
of apps, data, and devices.
For distribution of personal and consumer applications, the Company provides wireless carriers with the ability to distribute
select applications and rich media content to their customer base and also provides BlackBerry World as a direct storefront for
BlackBerry customers.
Intellectual Property
The protection of intellectual property is an important part of the Company’s operations. The policy of the Company is to
apply for patents, acquire and/or seek other appropriate proprietary or statutory protection when it develops valuable new or
improved technology. The Company believes that the rapid pace of technological change in the communications industry
makes patent and trade secret protection important, and that this protection must be supported by other means including the
ability to attract and retain qualified personnel, new product introductions and frequent product enhancements.
The Company believes that its patent portfolio continues to provide a competitive advantage in its core product areas as well as
provide leverage in the development of future technologies. The Company does not believe that it is dependent upon a single
patent or even a few patents. Rather, the Company’s success depends more upon its extensive know-how, innovative culture,
and technical leadership. The Company does not rely primarily on patents or other intellectual property rights to protect or
establish its market position; however, it is prepared to enforce its intellectual property rights in certain technologies when
attempts to negotiate mutually agreeable licenses are not successful.
The Company protects its technology through a combination of patents, designs, copyrights, trade secrets, confidentiality
procedures and contractual arrangements. The Company seeks to patent key concepts, components, protocols, processes and
other inventions that it considers to have commercial value or that will likely give the Company a technological advantage.
Although the Company applies for patent protection primarily in Canada, Europe and the United States, the Company has filed,
and will continue to file, patent applications in other countries where there exists a strategic technological or business reason to
do so. To broadly protect the Company’s inventions, the Company has a team of in-house patent attorneys and also consults
with outside patent attorneys who interact with employees, review invention disclosures and prepare patent applications on a
broad array of core technologies and competencies. As a result, the Company owns rights to an array of patented and patent