UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________________________
FORM 40-F
REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
or
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13(a) OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016
Commission File Number 0-29898
__________________________________________________________
BlackBerry Limited
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Ontario
(Province or other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation or Organization)
3661
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)
Not Applicable
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No)
2200 University Ave East
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada,
N2K 0A7
(519) 888-7465
(Address and telephone number of Registrant’s principal executive offices)
BlackBerry Corporation
6700 Koll Center Parkway, 2nd Floor
Pleasanton, California, USA 94566
(925) 931-6060
(Name, address and telephone number of agent for service in the United States)
__________________________________________________________
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Shares, without par value
Common Shares, without par value
Name of each exchange where registered
Toronto Stock Exchange
NASDAQ Stock Market, LLC
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:
None
For annual reports, indicate by check mark the information filed with this Form:
Annual information form
Audited annual financial statements
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the Registrant’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the
period covered by this annual report.
The Registrant had 521,172,271 Common Shares outstanding as at February 29, 2016.
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports) and (2)
has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes
No
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every
Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes
No
A.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) as
those controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Registrant in
reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms.
The Registrant’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the Registrant’s disclosure
controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report and have determined that such disclosure
controls and procedures were effective. A discussion of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures can be found in its
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the fiscal year ended February 29,
2016, included in Exhibit 1.3 to this Annual Report, under the heading “Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal
Controls - Disclosure Controls and Procedures”.
B.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
On October 30, 2015 and September 22, 2015, the Registrant completed the acquisition of Good Technology
Corporation and AtHoc, Inc., respectively, which are included in the fiscal 2016 consolidated financial statements of the
Registrant and constituted 19% and 23% of total and net assets, respectively, as of February 29, 2016, and 3% and 13% of
revenues and net income before tax, respectively, for the year then ended. In conducting their evaluation of the effectiveness of
the Registrant's internal controls over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange
Act), management has excluded Good Technology Corporation and AtHoc, Inc. from its assessment of internal controls over
financial reporting as of February 29, 2016 because they were acquired by the Registrant during fiscal 2016.
See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the fiscal year ended
February 29, 2016, included in Exhibit 1.3 to this Annual Report, under the heading “Disclosure Controls and Procedures and
Internal Controls - Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”.
C.
Attestation Report of the Registered Public Accounting Firm
The attestation report of Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) is included in EY’s report, dated April 1, 2016, to the
shareholders of the Registrant, which accompanies the Registrant’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year
ended February 29, 2016, filed as Exhibit 1.2 to this Annual Report. EY’s audit of internal control over financial reporting of
the Registrant also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Good Technology
Corporation and AtHoc, Inc.
D.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
See Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the fiscal year ended
February 29, 2016, included in Exhibit 1.3 to this Annual Report, under the heading “Disclosure Controls and Procedures and
Internal Controls – Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting”.
E.
Notice of Pension Fund Blackout Period
The Registrant was not required by Rule 104 of Regulation BTR to send any notice to any of its directors or executive
officers during the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016.
F.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Registrant’s Board of Directors has determined that Barbara Stymiest, an individual serving on the Audit and Risk
Management Committee of the Registrant’s Board of Directors, is an audit committee financial expert, within the meaning of
General Instruction B(8)(b) of Form 40-F.
The Commission has indicated that the designation of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not make
such person an “expert” for any purpose, impose any duties, obligations or liability on such person that are greater than those
imposed on members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee and the Board of Directors who do not carry this
designation or affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee or
Board of Directors.
G.
Code of Ethics
The Registrant’s Board of Directors has adopted a code of ethics (the “Code”) that applies to all directors, officers and
employees. A copy of the Code may be obtained at www.blackberry.com. The Registrant will provide a copy of the Code
without charge to any person that requests a copy by contacting the Corporate Secretary at the address that appears on the cover
of this Annual Report on Form 40-F.
H.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed by EY, the Company’s independent auditor, for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and
February 28, 2015, respectively, for professional services rendered by EY for the audit of the Company’s annual financial
statements or services that are normally provided by EY in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for
such fiscal years were $2,567,933 and $3,458,051, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
The aggregate fees billed by EY for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, respectively, for
assurance and related services rendered by EY that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the
Company’s financial statements and are not reported above as audit fees were $13,042 and $33,785, respectively. Professional
services provided included procedures related to the audit of new systems implemented.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed by EY for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, respectively, for
professional services rendered by EY for tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning and other services were $36,180 and $9,432,
respectively. Tax services provided included international tax compliance engagements.
All Other Fees
The aggregate fees billed by EY for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, respectively, for
professional services rendered by EY for acquisition related due diligence were $422,200 and nil, respectively.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Since the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 on July 30, 2002, all audit and non-audit services performed by
the Registrant’s outside auditors are pre-approved by the Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Registrant.
I.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Registrant is not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current
or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity,
capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
J.
Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations
Tabular disclosure of the Registrant’s contractual obligations can be found in its Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, included in Exhibit No.
1.3 to this Annual Report, under the heading “Financial Condition - Aggregate Contractual Obligations”.
K.
Identification of Audit Committee
The Registrant has an Audit and Risk Management Committee comprised of four individuals: Barbara Stymiest
(Chair), Timothy Dattels, Dr. Laurie Smaldone Alsup and the Hon. Wayne Wouters. Each of the members of the Audit and
Risk Management Committee is independent as that term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Nasdaq Stock Market,
Inc. (“Nasdaq”).
L.
Critical Accounting Estimates
A discussion of the Registrant’s critical accounting estimates can be found in its Management’s Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, included in Exhibit No.
1.3 to this Annual Report, under the heading “Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates - Critical Accounting
Estimates”.
M.
Nasdaq Exemptions
On November 5, 2002, the Registrant requested an exemption from Nasdaq’s quorum requirements (which provide
that a quorum for a shareholder meeting of a Nasdaq-listed company must be at least 33-1/3% of the outstanding common
shares of the company) on the basis that such requirements were contrary to generally accepted business practices in Canada.
The Registrant’s by-laws provide that the quorum requirements for the transaction of business at any meeting of shareholders
shall be two persons present in person, each being a shareholder entitled to vote thereat or a duly appointed proxyholder or
representative for a shareholder so entitled, holding or representing not less than 20% of the issued shares of the Registrant, of
the class or classes respectively (if there is more than one class of shares outstanding at the time), enjoying voting rights at such
meeting. The Registrant’s quorum requirements comply with the requirements of the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) and
are consistent with the quorum requirements of other Canadian public companies. On November 25, 2002, based on the
Registrant’s representations, Nasdaq granted the requested exemption.
N.
Interactive Data File
The Registrant has submitted to the Commission, included in Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report, an Interactive Data
File.
O.
Mine Safety
The Registrant is not currently required to disclose the information required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank
Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
UNDERTAKING AND CONSENT TO SERVICE OF PROCESS
A.
Undertaking
The Registrant undertakes to make available, in person or by telephone, representatives to respond to inquiries made by the
Commission staff, and to furnish promptly, when requested to do so by the Commission staff, information relating to the securities
in relation to which the obligation to file an annual report on Form 40-F arises or transactions in said securities.
B.
Consent to Service of Process
The Registrant has previously filed with the Commission a Form F-X in connection with its Common Shares, as amended on
Form F-X/A filed with the Commission on June 1, 2015.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing
on Form 40-F and has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
SIGNATURE
Date: April 1, 2016
BLACKBERRY LIMITED
By:
/s/ James Yersh
Name:
James Yersh
Title:
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit
No.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Document
1.1
Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, dated April 1, 2016.
1.2
1.3
Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, prepared in accordance
with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for the fiscal year
ended February 29, 2016.
23.1
Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.
31.1
32.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002.
101
Interactive Data File.
Table of Contents
BLACKBERRY LIMITED
2200 University Avenue East
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada
N2K 0A7
Annual Information Form
For the fiscal year ended
February 29, 2016
DATE: April 1, 2016
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Table of Contents
CERTAIN INTERPRETATION MATTERS
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CORPORATE STRUCTURE
THE COMPANY
INTER-CORPORATE RELATIONSHIPS
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
THE MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS INDUSTRY
STRATEGY
PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
SALES, MARKETING, DISTRIBUTION AND CUSTOMERS
COMPETITION
PRODUCT DESIGN, ENGINEERING AND RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
THIRD PARTY SOFTWARE DEVELOPERS
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
PRODUCTION
INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS
REGULATORY MATTERS
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS AND COSTS
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY
EMPLOYEES
FACILITIES
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT
RISK FACTORS
DIVIDEND POLICY AND RECORD
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
COMMON SHARES
CLASS A COMMON SHARES
PREFERRED SHARES
CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES
MARKET FOR SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
CEASE TRADE ORDERS, BANKRUPTCIES, PENALTIES OR SANCTIONS
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
APPENDIX A - CHARTER OF THE AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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ANNUAL INFORMATION FORM
CERTAIN INTERPRETATION MATTERS
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the “Company” and “BlackBerry” include BlackBerry Limited
(formerly, Research In Motion Limited) and its subsidiaries. All dollar references, unless otherwise noted, are in United States
dollars.
BlackBerry®, BBM™, QNX®, Good® and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of BlackBerry Limited and
are registered and/or used in the United States and countries around the world. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Annual Information Form (“AIF”) contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws,
including under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws, including
statements relating to:
•
•
•
•
the Company’s plans, strategies and objectives, including the anticipated benefits of its strategic initiatives described
below, and the anticipated opportunities and challenges for the Company in fiscal 2017;
the Company’s expectations regarding anticipated demand for, and the timing of, new product and service offerings,
and the Company’s plans and expectations relating to its existing and new product and service offerings, including
BlackBerry Enterprise Service (“BES”) 12, the Good® Secure EMM Suites, BlackBerry smartphones, and the cloud-
based BlackBerry Internet of Things platform (the “BlackBerry IoT Platform”), including software products offered
by the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, QNX Software Systems Limited (“QNX”);
the Company’s expectations regarding the generation of revenue from its software, services and other technologies,
including subscription-based licensing, as well as its expectations regarding the ability of such revenues to offset
declining service access fees; and
the Company’s expectations regarding implementing a new enterprise resource planning software system.
The words “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “intend”, “believe”, “target”, “plan” and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and
assumptions made by the Company in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and
expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances,
including but not limited to, the Company’s expectations regarding its business, strategy, opportunities and prospects, including
its ability to implement meaningful changes to address its business challenges, the launch of new products and services, general
economic conditions, product pricing levels and competitive intensity, supply constraints, and the Company’s expectations
regarding the cash flow generation of its business and the sufficiency of its financial resources. Many factors could cause the
Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-
looking statements, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties facing the Company which are described in the
“Risk Factors” section of this AIF.
Any statements that are forward-looking statements are intended to enable the Company’s shareholders to view the anticipated
performance and prospects of the Company from management’s perspective at the time such statements are made, and they are
subject to the risks that are inherent in all forward-looking statements, as described above. These forward-looking statements
are made by the Company in light of its experience, its perception of historical and anticipated business trends, existing
conditions in the business at the time and anticipated future developments, including competition and new product initiatives
and expected timing, as well as the Company’s current assessments of the risk factors that affect its business, including those
identified in this AIF, and the likely success of mitigation strategies relating to such factors. These forward-looking statements
are subject to the inherent risk of difficulties in forecasting the Company’s financial results and performance for future periods,
particularly over longer periods, given the ongoing transition in the Company’s business strategy and the rapid technological
changes, evolving industry standards, intense competition and short product life cycles that characterize the mobile
communications industry. These difficulties in forecasting the Company’s financial results and performance are magnified at
the present time given the uncertainties related to the strategic initiatives described in this AIF. These factors should be
considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-looking statements. The Company
has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
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CORPORATE STRUCTURE
The Company
The Company was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (“OBCA”) on March 7, 1984 and commenced
operations at that time. The Company has amalgamated with several of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the last amalgamation
occurring through the filing of articles of amalgamation under the OBCA on November 4, 2013. The Company’s registered and
principal business office is 2200 University Avenue East, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada N2K 0A7, telephone: (519) 888-7465, fax:
(519) 888-6906.
Inter-corporate Relationships
The Company has five material subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company.
Name of Subsidiary
BlackBerry Corporation
BlackBerry UK Limited
BlackBerry Singapore Pte. Limited
Good Technology Corporation
QNX Software Systems Limited
Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization
Delaware, U.S.A.
England and Wales
Singapore
Delaware, U.S.A.
Ontario, Canada
GENERAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE BUSINESS
Product and business developments that have influenced the general development of the Company’s business over the last three
fiscal years are as follows:
Fiscal 2016:
Significant Acquisition
• On October 30, 2015, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, BlackBerry Corporation, acquired all of the
issued and outstanding shares of Good Technology Corporation (“Good”), a provider of secure mobility solutions,
including secure applications and containerization that protects end user privacy. The aggregate consideration paid by
the Company was approximately $417 million and consisted of (i) the payment of approximately $328.4 million in
cash to existing shareholders of Good, and (ii) the payment of approximately $88.6 million to existing debtholders of
Good. The Company financed the acquisition from its own cash and investment balances. The Company filed a
Business Acquisition Report (on Form 51-102F4) in respect of this acquisition.
Other Acquisitions
• Acquired AtHoc, Inc. (“AtHoc”), a provider of secure, networked crisis communications;
• Acquired WatchDox Ltd. (“WatchDox”), a data security company offering secure enterprise file-sync-and-share
(“EFSS”) solutions; and
• Acquired Encription Holdings Limited and Encription Ireland Limited (“Encription”), a cybersecurity consulting firm
providing industry-leading assessments in penetration testing and security training services.
Products, Services and Approvals
• Launched the PRIV smartphone, running on the Android™ operating system;
• Announced the new Good Secure EMM Suites by BlackBerry, a comprehensive set of mobile security, management,
productivity and collaboration offerings;
• Announced the launch of a new Professional Cybersecurity Services practice that will further expand the Company’s
security portfolio;
• Announced the new voice encryption solution SecuSUITE for Enterprise;
• Announced BES12 Cloud, a cloud-based enterprise mobility management (“EMM”) solution that offers easy
management of cross-platform devices;
• Obtained the approval of the United States Department of Defense (“DoD”) for the use of Public Key Infrastructure
credentials on BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10 smartphones;
• Unveiled a new QNX software platform to enable automotive companies to build a full range of secured automated
•
driving systems and in-car acoustics; and
Showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show an IoT over-the-air software platform, as well as BlackBerry Radar, an
asset tracking device and software interface.
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Joint Ventures, Partnerships and Other Agreements
• Entered into a long-term patent cross-licensing agreement with Cisco;
• Entered into a joint development and manufacturing agreement with Wistron Corporation;
• Announced a new partnership with T-Mobile US, Inc. to bring the BlackBerry Classic to T-Mobile’s network;
• Announced the planned integration of Samsung KNOX™ with WorkLife by BlackBerry and SecuSUITE; and
• Announced the availability of the Company’s multi-OS EMM platform in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, allowing
customers full access to their BES12 licenses while benefiting from the Microsoft cloud architecture.
Financial Highlights
• Achieved positive free cash flow and positive adjusted EBITDA in each of the quarters in fiscal 2016;
• Achieved non-GAAP revenue of approximately $527 million from software and services for the year;
• Commenced a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 27 million common shares of the Company; and
• Commenced the resource alignment program (the “Resource Alignment Program”) with the objectives of reallocating
Company resources to capitalize on growth opportunities, providing the operational ability to better leverage contract
research and development services relating to its handheld devices, and reaching sustainable profitability.
Director and Executive Officer Appointments
• Appointed the Honourable Wayne G. Wouters, PC, an executive leader in government relations, strategic leadership,
international trade and economic policy, to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”);
• Appointed Laurie Smaldone Alsup, M.D., an executive leader in drug development, regulatory strategy, and regulatory
approvals in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, to the Board; and
• Appointed Carl Wiese as President of Global Sales of the Company.
Fiscal 2015:
Acquisitions
• Acquired Secusmart GmbH (“Secusmart”), a leader in high-security voice and data encryption and anti-eavesdropping
solutions; and
• Acquired Movirtu Limited (“Movirtu”), a provider of virtual identity solutions for mobile operators.
Products, Services and Approvals
• Launched BES12, a cross-platform EMM solution by BlackBerry;
• Launched four new BlackBerry 10 smartphones, including the Classic, Passport, Z3 and the Porsche Design P’9983;
• Unveiled the BlackBerry IoT Platform, initially targeting the automotive and asset tracking industries, by combining
technology from QNX, with BlackBerry’s secure network infrastructure and device lifecycle management software;
• Announced new value-added enterprise solutions, including BlackBerry Blend, WorkLife by BlackBerry, Enterprise
Identity by BlackBerry and VPN Authentication by BlackBerry;
• Launched BBM Protected;
• Launched a substantial software update for BlackBerry 10 smartphones (version 10.3.1);
• Announced that BES10 and BES12 would be available as a hosted service through third-party partners worldwide;
• Received Security Technical Implementation Guide approval from the U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency
•
(“DISA”) for Secure Work Space for iOS® and Android; and
Provided for mobile device management (“MDM”) companies to directly manage devices with the BlackBerry 10
operating system.
Joint Ventures, Partnerships and Other Agreements
• Announced a partnership with Amazon making approximately 240,000 Android applications available to BlackBerry
users through the Amazon.com Inc. (“Amazon”) Appstore;
• Announced that the Company is working with Google Inc. (“Google”) to enable BES12 to manage devices equipped
with Android for Work™;
• Announced a strategic partnership with Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (“Samsung”) to provide an end-to-end secure
solution that brings together BES12 with Samsung KNOX; and
• Announced an investment in healthcare information technology leader NantHealth LLC and collaboration on the
development of integrated clinical systems that facilitate the delivery of medical care.
Financial Highlights
• Achieved the Company’s target of break-even cash flow results in the third quarter of fiscal 2015, one quarter sooner
than anticipated;
• Completed the divestiture of the majority of the Company’s real estate holdings in Canada; and
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• Completed the Cost Optimization and Resource Efficiency program in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
Director and Executive Officer Appointments
• Appointed Mike Daniels, a leading expert in cyber security with extensive experience in the U.S. government and the
private sector, to the Board; and
• Appointed Dr. Sandeep Chennakeshu as President of the Business Technology Solutions (“BTS”) unit, Marty Beard
as Chief Operating Officer; Nita White-Ivy as Executive Vice President, Human Resources and Billy Ho as Executive
Vice President, Enterprise Products and Value Added Solutions.
Fiscal 2014:
Strategic Review Process, Debenture Financing, Business Transition and Organizational Changes
• Announced on August 12, 2013, the formation of a Special Committee by the Board to explore strategic alternatives to
enhance value and increase scale to accelerate BlackBerry 10 deployment;
• Announced on September 23, 2013, that the Company had signed a letter of intent (the “LOI”) with Fairfax Financial
Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”), a Canadian company founded by V. Prem Watsa, under which a consortium to be led by
Fairfax proposed to acquire the Company;
• Announced on November 4, 2013, that in lieu of the transaction contemplated by the LOI, the Company had entered into
an agreement pursuant to which Fairfax and other institutional investors would subscribe for $1 billion aggregate principal
amount of 6% unsecured subordinated convertible debentures due 2020, with an option to purchase an additional $250
million principal amount of debentures (collectively, the “Debentures”). The announcement of this financing marked
the conclusion of the strategic review process previously announced by the Board. The initial $1 billion investment of
Debentures was completed on November 13, 2013, and the option to purchase the additional $250 million of Debentures
was completed on January 16, 2014 (collectively, the “Debenture Financing”);
• The Debenture Financing resulted in the following changes to the Board and management team:
•
•
•
appointment of John Chen as Executive Chair of the Board and Interim Chief Executive Officer,
appointment of V. Prem Watsa as Lead Director of the Board and Chair of the Compensation, Nomination and
Governance Committee, and
resignations of Thorsten Heins as Chief Executive Officer and a director, and David Kerr as a director;
• Announced the Company’s plan to transition the business to focus on four areas: the Devices business, Enterprise Services,
the QNX Embedded business (now part of the BTS unit) and Messaging; and
• Announced further management and Board changes as part of the reorganization of BlackBerry including:
appointment of James Yersh as Chief Financial Officer (replacing Brian Bidulka),
appointment of Eric Johnson as President, Global Sales,
appointment of Ron Louks as President, Devices and Emerging Solutions,
appointment of James S. Mackey as Executive Vice President, Corporate Development and Strategic Planning,
appointment of John Sims as President, Global Enterprise Services,
resignations of Kristian Tear as Chief Operating Officer and Frank Boulben as Chief Marketing Officer, and
resignation of Roger Martin from the Board.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Joint Ventures, Partnerships and Other Agreements
• Announced a joint device development and manufacturing agreement with Foxconn Technology Group (“Foxconn”).
Products, Services and Approvals
• Announced a new BES pricing and licensing structure (Silver and Gold) and a new EZ pass program that enabled customers
to move from BES and competitors’ MDM programs to BES10 or BES12 at the Silver level of service for free (the
program ceased at the end of December 2014);
• Launched updates to BES10 (versions 10.1 and 10.2) and launched software updates for BlackBerry 10 smartphones
(versions 10.1, 10.2 and 10.2.1);
• Delivered four BlackBerry 10 smartphones, including the Q10, Q5, Z30 and the Porsche Design P’9982, as well as the
9720 to support the BlackBerry 7 market;
• Launched BlackBerry Messenger (“BBM”) and BBM Voice for Android and iOS smartphones;
• Launched BBM Channels for the BlackBerry 10 platform, and subsequently for Android and iOS;
• Announced that DISA had given BlackBerry Z10 and Q10 smartphones with BES10 the Authority to Operate (“ATO”)
on DoD networks, being the first MDM provider to obtain an ATO and announced that BlackBerry had become the first
mobility solution to receive Full Operational Capability (“FOC”) to run on DoD networks; and
• Launched Secure Work Space for iOS and Android.
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Other
• Announced the change of the Company’s name from Research In Motion Limited to BlackBerry Limited.
NARRATIVE DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS
Overview
The Company is securing a connected world, delivering innovative solutions across the entire mobile ecosystem and beyond.
The Company secures the world’s most sensitive data across all endpoints – from cars to smartphones – making the mobile-first
enterprise vision a reality. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, the Company operates offices in North America,
Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The Company’s common shares are listed on the NASDAQ
Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) (NASDAQ: BBRY) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) (TSX: BB), and its
Debentures are listed on the TSX (TSX: BB.DB.U).
The Mobile Communications Industry
Improvements in wireless network infrastructure and the rapid proliferation of mobile devices and applications in recent years
are transforming the way that enterprises and individuals communicate and collaborate. In the enterprise, the mobile platform
is becoming the primary computing platform and users now expect to be as productive on their mobile devices as they are on
their desktop and laptop computers, with secure, reliable access to their data, applications and services. Enterprises are
increasingly embracing mobility strategies by deploying devices internally and by enabling mobile-first interactions with
external business partners and customers. In implementing these mobility strategies, organizations demand solutions that
deliver a rich, flexible user experience without compromising on centralized management or enterprise-grade security.
Security is increasingly important in the mobile environment, with cybercriminals developing ever more sophisticated methods
of gaining access to sensitive intellectual property and personal information. Recent data breaches have exposed the potential
for hacking to cause significant financial and reputational damage and even to threaten national security. Enterprises, and
governments in particular, require hardware and software that can protect their data, ensure privacy and demonstrate
compliance with applicable security regulations.
From a hardware perspective, the enterprise market for smartphones has become increasingly characterized by a combination
of enterprise-deployed devices and devices that are purchased by consumers and also used in the enterprise environment,
commonly referred to as the Bring Your Own Device or BYOD model. Consumer device offerings are chosen by the individual
user based on cost and an affinity for a certain user interface, form factor, and specific supported software features or
capabilities, including third-party applications. These consumer devices are supported in the enterprise environment by
information technology (“IT”) departments for access to corporate messaging and applications. As the market has evolved, IT
departments now look for enterprise mobility solutions that can handle a variety of devices and a range of deployment models.
From a software perspective, EMM software solutions designed for centralized administration by enterprise IT departments
typically include on-premise software products or cloud-based services that are deployed in conjunction with corporate
messaging and application services. These products are used to manage and secure both company-issued and personally-owned
devices within the enterprise environment. As this market continues to mature, these solutions have expanded beyond device
management to include enhanced mobile enterprise applications and secure collaboration features.
Recently the “Internet of Things” or “IoT” has also emerged as a driving force for the expansion of new wireless applications,
with many mobile communications industry participants establishing relationships, practices and partnerships focused around
communication between devices. As the IoT continues to develop, companies enabling these connected devices will be faced
with many of the same challanges faced by enterprises enabling devices in their workplaces.
Strategy
The Company’s operating unit organizational structure consists of the Devices business, Enterprise Solutions and Services
(which includes the Company’s newest practice, Professional Cybersecurity Services), BTS, and Messaging. Across all
businesses, BlackBerry products and services are widely recognized in the market for productivity and security, and the
Company believes that it delivers the most secure end-to-end mobile enterprise solutions in the market. With these core
strengths, the Company’s broad portfolio of products and services is focused on serving enterprise customers, particularly in
regulated industries and select vertical markets, including government, financial services, legal and healthcare.
The Company has been executing a strategy to leverage its strengths in mobility management and security to refocus its
business in the Enterprise Solutions and Services space, while maintaining a presence in the highly competitive smartphone and
devices market. This strategy includes increasing the Company’s product and service offerings through strategic acquisitions
and targeted growth in internal investments. The Company’s goal is to maintain its market leadership in the enterprise mobility
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segment by continuing to extend the functionality of its enterprise software infrastructure beyond EMM, to offer the most
comprehensive and secure mobile platform and, on top of this extensive foundation, deliver vertical solutions and endpoint
management in the IoT.
BlackBerry has aligned its businesses and operations around the following areas to drive greater efficiency and speed in
bringing new offerings to market, while optimizing assets and capabilities across all businesses in support of the Company’s
overall strategy and financial objectives.
Devices
Although the Company is refocusing its business on Enterprise Solutions and Services, the Devices business has historically
been the focus of the Company’s operations, with the innovative and secure range of BlackBerry smartphones and other
devices. The BlackBerry brand, design, security and other product features continue to have significant appeal to a wide range
of smartphone users, particularly in the enterprise space. The Company’s Devices business strategy is focused on delivering
smartphones that meet the needs of the modern user, including protecting personal privacy while enabling the user to securely
conduct business. In support of this strategy, in fiscal 2016 the Company launched the PRIV, an Android-based device with
strong security and privacy features and support of the full Android application ecosystem. The Company also offers and
supports devices using the BlackBerry 10 operating system, the gold standard for mobile security, including the Classic,
Passport and Leap.
Enterprise Solutions and Services
Security, reliability, productivity and collaboration are hallmark strengths of the Company’s platform and are instrumental to
the Company’s success in the enterprise market. The Company intends to continue to strategically focus on regulated
industries that rely on stringent security needs, as well as on the government market where the Company is the only MDM
provider to obtain both ATO and FOC status with the DoD. The Company also intends to maintain and strengthen its position
as an EMM leader by continuing to enhance its enterprise software offerings and long-term product strategy.
With the acquisitions of Good and Watchdox in fiscal 2016, the Company has expanded its ability to offer a unified, secure
mobility platform with applications and services for any mobile device on any operating system, supported by security that has
been certified by governments around the world, embedded in every component of the mobility infrastructure. The Good
Dynamics platform and Good Work are being integrated with BES12. The initial integrated offering is now available to
customers through the Good Secure EMM Suites. This offering provides support for both mobile and desktop operating system
devices including BBOS and BlackBerry 10, iOS, Android OS and Windows. As a result of the combination of the BlackBerry
and Good platforms, the Company believes it has the largest installed base in the EMM market.
In addition, the Company has expanded its enterprise software portfolio through the internal development of identity
management and authentication solutions, as well as through acquisitions of companies focused on security and productivity,
including Movirtu and WatchDox.
The acquisition of Encription in February 2016 led to the announcement of the Company’s new Professional Cybersecurity
Services practice, which will further expand the Company’s security portfolio. The Company’s new cybersecurity consulting
services and tools, combined with the Company’s existing security solutions, will help customers identify the latest
cybersecurity threats, develop risk appropriate mitigation strategies, implement and maintain IT security standards and
techniques and defend against the risk of future attacks. This new practice will address strategic security, technical security,
automotive and IoT security and detection, testing and analysis.
The acquisition of Secusmart in fiscal 2015 supported the Company’s continued focus on the government market and regulated
industries. With this acquisition, the Company strengthened its secure enterprise mobility portfolio by adding a leading secure
voice and text messaging solution with Secusmart’s advanced encryption and anti-eavesdropping capabilities.
The Company plans to focus on additional value-added services to further enhance its enterprise offerings.
BlackBerry Technology Solutions
The BTS business is comprised of five units: QNX, Certicom, Paratek, the BlackBerry IoT Platform, and Intellectual Property
and Patent Licensing (“IPPL”). The BTS unit was created to position BlackBerry’s technology licensing businesses together
under one leadership umbrella with a view to creating new revenue streams and enhancing value from the Company’s
technology.
The largest BTS business unit is QNX. QNX is a global provider of operating systems, development tools, and middleware for
the automotive, medical, industrial, consumer, networking, and defense markets. QNX is the recognized leader in software for
automotive electronics, with products deployed in digital instrument clusters and in the infotainment and telematics systems of
more than 60 million vehicles worldwide. Over 40 automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) use QNX
technology, in brands such as Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia,
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Land Rover, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen. With its field-proven technology and suite of safety
and security certifications, QNX is also a preferred supplier for companies building medical devices, train-control systems,
industrial robots, hardware security modules, building automation systems, green energy solutions, and other mission-critical
and safety-critical applications. QNX continues to attract new business through a growing portfolio of innovative products,
including, an operating system for automotive safety, a platform for advanced driver assistance systems (“ADAS”) and
automated driving, a comprehensive in-car acoustics solution, hypervisor software that manages safety-critical systems in real-
time, and a wireless framework that enables customers to upgrade their cellular and Wi-Fi hardware without having to recode
or modify applications.
Certicom specializes in applied cryptography and key management, offering both software components and end-to-end security
solutions targeted at bandwidth and resource-constrained applications. Certicom’s asset management technology is deployed in
over 400 million high value ASICs (application specific integrated circuit customized for a particular use) and its certificates
are used in over 100 million IoT devices.
Paratek designs, develops and licenses its adaptive radio frequency (“RF”) antenna tuning technology. With the growth of RF
bands to be covered and stringent performance requirements imposed, RF antenna tuning is becoming a key differentiator to
improve the antenna performance of smartphones. Paratek technology has been adopted by numerous OEMs and has many
handset design wins.
The BlackBerry IoT Platform connects data generators with data consumers via an intelligent platform and application service
modules, all hosted on a global, scalable, multi-tenant network protected by BlackBerry’s recognized security features. The
BlackBerry IoT Platform intends to focus initially on applications for asset tracking, such as BlackBerry Radar, a device and
software interface for tracking trucks and containers, for reporting locations and sensor data, and for enabling custom alerts and
fleet management applications.
The IPPL unit manages the Company’s extensive patent portfolio, which includes both standards-essential patents and
implementation patents and has an average and median remaining life of over 11 years. The Company is monetizing its patent
portfolio through an outbound licensing program, including, for example, through its patent cross-licensing agreement with
Cisco entered into in fiscal 2016.
Messaging
In fiscal 2016, the Company expanded its focus and footprint in the messaging business with the acquisition of AtHoc, a secure,
networked crisis communications solutions market leader. The acquisition of AtHoc enhances the Company’s mission to
provide secure communication solutions and complements the Company’s enterprise portfolio of cross-platform solutions and
trusted global network to enable new capabilities for safety, security and mission-critical business communications.
The Company has expanded the features and functionality of BBM through platform enhancements and innovative services.
The Company monetizes the BBM platform through in-app advertising, a virtual goods store, and the subscription-based BBM
Protected offering for secure enterprise messaging.
Strategic objectives
The following objectives are important to the success of the Company’s strategy in all areas of its business:
•
Seeking strategic alliances and relationships. BlackBerry intends to continue developing new and existing strategic
alliances, which may involve closer collaboration with other technology leaders to maintain and enhance the Company’s
competitive position. Potential areas of strategic alliances and relationships include, but are not limited to, software
application developers and companies, global telecommunications carriers, intranet and Internet applications and portal
companies, Internet social networking providers, multimedia content providers, gaming platform vendors, consumer
electronics retailers, OEMs, microchip and other manufacturers, and global systems integrators.
• Targeted acquisition and investment strategy. BlackBerry will continue to evaluate potential acquisitions and make
investments in products that provide opportunities for growth or expansion of the BlackBerry value proposition. These
may include acquisitions and investments related to software, wireless solutions, security and applications, among others.
The Company also intends to continue to acquire rights in intellectual property in various forms and technologies when
appropriate opportunities arise.
• Expanding distribution. The Company’s ability to grow its service and software revenue is dependent on its ability to
expand its distribution capability, including by developing and expanding relationships with indirect partners, resellers and
carriers. The Company is also focusing on building its direct enterprise sales force.
• Achieving best in class operational metrics. The Company has significantly improved its operational metrics through the
Resource Alignment Program and its previous cost and management initiatives. BlackBerry intends to further simplify
business processes and target areas of the business where greater efficiencies can be achieved. The Company is focused on
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driving best-in-class operational metrics across all of its businesses, with the goal of continuing to reduce organizational
complexity while increasing individual and business unit accountability and aligning employees behind the BlackBerry
vision, mission and values.
• Continuing to invest in highly qualified personnel. BlackBerry believes that the quality and skills of its employees are
key factors in achieving success. The Company intends to continue its recruiting strategies and operations worldwide to
support its product development and growth strategies and ensure the needed strategic capabilities are in place. BlackBerry
intends to retain, attract and develop talented employees to drive organizational performance and foster an environment of
innovation, learning and development within a cost effective organization.
Products and Services
Revenue
The Company primarily generates revenue from the sale of smartphones and enterprise software and services. The Company
also generates revenue from the embedded market through licensing QNX software products and providing professional
services to support customers in developing their products. Revenue is also generated from its secure messaging products and
services sold by AtHoc, Secusmart and through its BBM service. Finally, the Company generates other revenue from
technology licensing, accessories, non-warranty repairs, BlackBerry World and gains and losses on revenue hedge contracts.
The Company intends to continue to increase the proportion of its enterprise software and services revenues that it generates
from subscription-based licensing.
For revenue and other financial information on the two most recently completed fiscal years, see the Company’s Management
Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, in the section entitled “Results of Operations
- Fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 compared to fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 - Revenue”.
Enterprise Solutions and Services
The Company is a leader in EMM and mobile security and offers a broad portfolio of enterprise software solutions and services
that can be deployed across a range of ecosystems and devices, including the following:
BES12 and Good Platforms
BES12 continues to be the core of BlackBerry’s enterprise software offerings, allowing organizations to manage enterprise
mobility across iOS, Android and BlackBerry devices, as well as Windows, and Mac OS X. In fiscal 2016, the Company
introduced version 12.4 of BES12, including new cross-platform support and connectivity capabilities. The acquisition of
Good further expanded BlackBerry’s ability to offer a unified, secure mobility platform with applications for any mobile device
on any mobile operating system. In January 2016, the Company launched the new Good Secure EMM Suites by BlackBerry, a
comprehensive set of mobile security, management, productivity and collaboration offerings including best-in-class app
security and containerization, identity and access management (“IAM”), and EFSS with file level data protection. The Good
Secure EMM Suites integrate the BES12 and Good Dynamics platforms and provide significant enhancements, including
enhanced multi-platform support, an enhanced architecture for on-premise and cloud deployments, and backwards
compatibility allowing unification of prior versions of BES. These platforms allow businesses to manage the growing IT trend
of securely supporting multiple devices and operating systems, as well as employees’ personal devices, within a single
corporate IT infrastructure.
BES12 Cloud
In fiscal 2016, the Company launched BES12 Cloud, a new cross-platform EMM Cloud solution for enterprises and small-to-
medium sized businesses. BES12 Cloud allows organizations to manage enterprise mobility across iOS, Android, Windows
Phone® and BlackBerry 10 devices, as well as a wide range of Samsung KNOX and Android for Work devices. Built on
BlackBerry’s trusted, global network, BES12 Cloud makes managing enterprise mobility efficient and secure.
EFSS
The acquisition of WatchDox in fiscal 2016 expanded the security offerings of the Company to include a full EFSS solution
with digital rights management (“DRM”). The Company also introduced a new WatchDox application for BlackBerry 10
devices providing secure anytime online access to content and expanding support to devices with Samsung Knox, Android for
Work and Secure Work Space for iOS and Android. WatchDox technology is unique because it allows security to travel with
shared files on both mobile and desktop devices to give organizations full visibility and control over how files are edited,
copied, printed or forwarded. This market leading solution allows enterprises to share data inside and outside of their
organization with DRM controls and the ability to revoke access to the data after the data has been shared.
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Secusmart; SecuSUITE for Enterprise
The acquisition of Secusmart in fiscal 2015 strengthened the Company’s secure enterprise mobility portfolio by adding a
leading secure voice and text messaging solution with Secusmart’s advanced encryption and anti-eavesdropping capabilities.
Secusmart product offerings have since been expanded to include a software-only solution that can be hosted to allow for rapid
deployment, in addition to the original hardware-based solution in use by security-conscious enterprises, including for heads of
governments.
In November 2015, the Company announced SecuSUITE for Enterprise, a multi-OS (iOS, Android and BlackBerry 10) voice
encryption software solution that protects mobile calls with a maximum level of security. By using SecuSUITE for Enterprise,
employees are able to conduct secure conversations worldwide and, if required, over a Wi-Fi connection only, and are also able
to send encrypted text messages of any length. Voice and text messages are encrypted with 128-bit Advanced Encryption
Standard on the individual device level, meaning that even when the other party cannot be reached, the message is stored on the
receiver´s smartphone and only sent to the recipient when they are available. SecuSUITE for Enterprise comes with a user-
friendly, cloud-based portal that enables administrators to enroll or deactivate users and adjust settings without the need to set
up additional IT infrastructure.
ESBL
In fiscal 2016, BlackBerry also announced that certain mobile operators from around the world would offer BES12 Enhanced
SIM-Based Licensing (“ESBL”) for enterprise customers, being the only EMM provider able to offer this service. ESBL
allows mobile operators to provide customers with one monthly bill to subscribe to BlackBerry EMM services and BES. This
ESBL offering supports iOS, Android, Windows Phone and BlackBerry 10 smartphones.
WorkLife by BlackBerry
Following the acquisition of Movirtu in fiscal 2015, the Company introduced the WorkLife by BlackBerry solution, which
provides a virtual SIM allowing the only true carrier grade split billing solution for mobile devices and complements
BlackBerry’s Secure Work Space and BlackBerry Balance offerings. WorkLife by BlackBerry distinguishes between work use
and personal use of a smartphone by assigning a separate work number on a BYOD device and splitting the cost of voice
minutes, SMS and data used for work versus personal use.
Professional Cybersecurity Services
In February 2016, the Company announced its new Professional Cybersecurity Services practice, which will further expand
BlackBerry’s security portfolio. Through this practice, the Company intends to provide services relating to:
Strategic security – best practices in IT operation ranging across enterprise mobility management and cloud services.
•
• Technical security – technical assistance for infrastructure and product development lifecycle.
• Automotive and IoT security – security consulting services as the rapid commercialization of IoT solutions makes
security and privacy a top priority.
• Detection, testing and analysis – threat detection and mitigation penetration testing, vulnerability assessment and
incident response analysis. This includes forensic services, business security status via IT health checks, training,
regulatory compliance and security breach management through incident response.
To support the launch of the new Professional Cybersecurity Services practice, the Company acquired Encription, a
cybersecurity consulting firm providing industry-leading assessments in penetration testing and security training services.
Devices
During fiscal 2016, the Company developed smartphones powered by the BlackBerry 10 OS and introduced its first
smartphone powered by Android OS, the PRIV. The Company also continues to offer BlackBerry 10 smartphones, including
the Classic and Passport.
In fiscal 2016, the Company launched the following new smartphones:
• PRIV by BlackBerry – the first BlackBerry smartphone powered by Android, giving users access to more than one
million Google Play apps alongside BlackBerry security and productivity features, including support for Android for
Work. PRIV offers both a slide out physical keyboard and a touch screen experience. PRIV also features a 5.4” display
and a 3410 mAh battery with enough power for up to 22.5 hours of use. The DTEK app, which is unique to PRIV, lets
users know when their privacy is at risk.
• BlackBerry Leap – an affordable all-touch smartphone for 4G LTE networks with an edge-to-edge 5” HD display,
BlackBerry 10.3.1 OS and a 2800 mAh battery for up to 25 hours of heavy use.
• BlackBerry Porsche Design P’9983 Graphite – a luxury BlackBerry 10 smartphone featuring exclusive graphite-
metallic colored elements and the finest, hand-wrapped leather on the back door cover. An exclusive Porsche Design
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PIN ID group - 2AAXXXXX, sets users apart and makes them instantly recognized among other Porsche Design
users. It includes an elegant QWERTY keyboard and a 2100 mAh battery.
BlackBerry Technology Solutions
The BTS business encompasses many of BlackBerry’s technology assets, including QNX (embedded software), Certicom
(cryptography applications), and Paratek (RF antenna tuning), as well as BlackBerry’s extensive patent portfolio.
The BTS business is also responsible for the BlackBerry IoT Platform. Initially targeting the asset tracking industry, the
BlackBerry IoT Platform leverages BlackBerry’s extensive technology portfolio, extending its best-in-class security and
reliability to emerging IoT applications.
The QNX unit of BTS offers operating systems, middleware, development tools, and professional services for connected
embedded systems, primarily in the automotive, medical and industrial automation markets. Its software is deployed in more
than 60 million vehicles worldwide.
During fiscal 2016, QNX made the following product announcements:
• QNX Platform for ADAS – designed to help automotive companies build a wide range of safety and ADAS for semi-
autonomous or autonomous vehicles. The platform includes reference implementations for building multi-camera
vision systems and V2X applications (vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications).
• QNX Acoustics Management Platform – a comprehensive software solution designed to provide unified management
of all acoustics in the car, enabling automotive manufacturers to reduce the cost, complexity, and time-to-production
of audio signal-processing systems.
• QNX OS for Safety – designed for systems that must meet stringent functional safety requirements in a variety of
markets, including automotive, industrial automation, energy generation, and railway transportation. This product
complies with two functional safety standards.
Certicom specializes in applied cryptography and key management, offering both software components and end-to-end security
solutions targeted at bandwith and resource-constrained applications. During fiscal 2016, Certicom launched Certicom
Managed Certificate Service, which is designed to help device manufacturers and service providers secure their IoT networks
and ecosystems, ensuring that the devices they connect are known and trusted. The service puts security certificates under
Certicom’s management, enabling customers to focus more on their core business and less on security infrastructure and
management.
Messaging
AtHoc
In fiscal 2016, the Company expanded its focus and footprint in the messaging business with the acquisition of AtHoc. The
AtHoc software platform enables people, devices and organizations to exchange critical information in real time during
business continuity and life safety operations. The platform securely connects with a diverse set of endpoints, including mobile
devices running iOS and Android, PC and Mac desktops, digital displays, radios, IP phones, sirens, fire panels and speakers to
facilitate collaboration and enhance situational awareness.
BBM
With BBM, the Company offers a rich messaging experience with features such as free voice calling over Wi-Fi, one-click
sharing of files and photos, Dropbox integration, location sharing and BBM Channels. BBM Channels extends the popular
BBM experience to brands, artists, businesses and communities, connecting consumers and groups in real-time. BBM is
available on iOS, Android and Windows Phone platforms, Android Wear and Apple Watch, in addition to BBOS and
BlackBerry 10. The BBM platform has been expanded with in-app advertising and a virtual goods store that includes
subscription offers for content, customization and privacy. For enterprise customers, the Company offers BBM Protected for
secure enterprise communications.
In fiscal 2016, the Company introduced several new customization features for BBM for Android, iOS and BlackBerry10,
including custom BBM PINs, support for Android Wear and Password Protection for iOS users.
Sales, Marketing, Distribution and Customers
The Company markets and sells its BlackBerry smartphone products to both enterprise and consumer end users primarily
through global wireless communications carriers as well as through third party distribution channels. The Company has a sales
and marketing team that supports its partners through training, technical account management and field marketing initiatives. In
certain markets, BlackBerry 10 and Android smartphones are also available directly from the Company through direct sales,
including on ShopBlackBerry.com and through third party online retailers.
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The Company licenses cross-platform (Android, iOS, Windows and BlackBerry 10) enterprise mobile software and services,
including Good Secure EMM Suites, BES12, Good Work, WatchDox, AtHoc and complementary third-party applications via
its direct sales force and value added resellers. The Company also licenses cross-platform enterprise mobile software and
services via global wireless communications carriers and other distribution partners throughout the world.
The Company licenses QNX, Certicom and Paratek technology and provides professional engineering services to OEM
customers in the automotive, mobile and other embedded software markets via a direct sales force and indirectly through
channel partnerships. The licenses are monetized as royalties on units shipped and through project development, tools and
maintenance fees.
The Company maintains a geographically-dispersed salesforce that is organized regionally and by channel.
For revenues by geographic region for the two most recently completed fiscal years, see the Company’s MD&A for the fiscal
year ended February 29, 2016, in the section entitled “Results of Operations - Fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 compared to
fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 - Revenue - Revenue by Geography”.
For customer concentration information during the two most recently completed fiscal years, see the Company’s MD&A for the
fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, in the section entitled “Market Risk of Financial Instruments - Credit and Customer
Concentration.”
Competition
The Company is engaged in markets that are highly competitive and rapidly evolving. Frequent new product introductions and
changes to mobile devices, operating systems, applications, security threats, industry standards and the overall technology
landscape result in continuously evolving customer requirements for mobile solutions. Today, the Company competes with a
broad range of vendors in each of its businesses. Key competitive factors important to the Company across its businesses
include product features (including security features), relative price and performance, product quality and reliability,
compatibility across ecosystems, service and support, and corporate reputation.
The Company has seen both its global smartphone market share and its share in many international markets decline
significantly in recent years relative to companies such as Apple Inc. (“Apple”) with its iOS ecosystem, and companies that
build smartphones based on the Android ecosystem, such as Samsung, LG and Lenovo. This decline has been due to a variety
of factors, including consumer preferences for devices with access to the broadest range of applications, such as those available
in the iOS and Android platforms, and by the BYOD trend in the enterprise market. In fiscal 2016, the Company introduced its
own smartphone based on the Android platform, PRIV by BlackBerry, differentiated by its slide out touch-enabled physical
keyboard and built-in BlackBerry security features to enhance the Company’s competitive position.
Providers of enterprise software solutions that compete with the Company’s enterprise solutions and services offerings include
VMware Inc., Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”), MobileIron Inc., Citrix Systems, Inc., SOTI Inc., SAP SE, and IBM
Corporation.
Manufacturers of mobile devices that compete with the Company’s device offerings include Apple, Samsung, Microsoft, HTC
Corporation, LG Electronics, Huawei Technologies, Lenovo, ZTE Corporation, and Xiaomi, Inc.
Providers of major mobile operating system platforms that compete with the Company’s BlackBerry platform include Apple
(iOS), Google (Android) and Microsoft (Windows 10 Mobile).
Products that compete with the Company’s BBM service include Facebook’s WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Microsoft’s
Skype, Line Corporation, Apple’s iMessage, Tencent’s WeChat, Viber, Kik, KakaoTalk, Telegram and Snapchat.
Competitors of the BlackBerry IoT platform include Microsoft, IBM, GE, Cumulocity, and Jasper. Other vertical player
competitors may also emerge as the Company enters into new vertical applications markets with its platform.
Providers of embedded software that compete with the Company’s QNX automotive business include Microsoft, which offers
its Windows Embedded platform for automotive infotainment applications. Android and Linux operating systems also compete
in the embedded computing space. Both Apple and Google have also demonstrated interest in the automotive sector. Apple’s
CarPlay™ software is resident on the iPhone® and enables its own infotainment user experience onto the screen in an
automobile. Google has launched an Android application programming interface, Android Auto, for Android automobile
applications. Other competitors of the Company’s QNX business include Green Hills Software, Intel Corporation, MontaVista
Software, Mentor Graphics Corporation, and Sysgo AG.
See also the Risk Factor entitled “The Company faces intense competition”.
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Competitive Strengths
The Company’s competitive strengths include the following:
Enterprise Solutions and Services
The Company’s enterprise portfolio offers leading mobility management, secure business productivity, application
containerization, secure collaboration and DRM capabilities. The Company is recognized for attaining the highest levels of
security certifications and approvals for many of its solutions, including Common Criteria Evaluation Assurance Level 4
Augmented (EAL4+) for its Good Powered by BlackBerry solutions. The inclusion of a sophisticated network operations
centre in the BlackBerry infrastructure is also a key differentiator. The Company pioneered the use of this architecture for the
routing of messages to and from mobile devices, and over time has expanded capabilities to enable end-to-end secure
communications between mobile devices and applications and enterprise networks. The key benefits of the BlackBerry
infrastructure include network and data security, reliability, and efficiency.
Devices
The Company’s smartphones are designed with a unique focus on security and privacy, beginning with the manufacturing
process that embeds security at the hardware level (hardware root of trust) and continues through every layer of the device.
BlackBerry 10 smartphones are widely used by governments and regulated industry customers with high security requirements.
The upcoming version of the BlackBerry 10 operating system (10.3.3) will be certified for NIAP (National Information
Assurance Partnership) compliance. The Company’s first smartphone based on the Android platform, the PRIV, extends the
Company’s security model and expertise to Android. PRIV is differentiated by its slide out touch-enabled physical keyboard,
integrated messaging experience and built-in BlackBerry security features designed to protect personal privacy and business-
critical data.
BTS
The Company’s competitive strengths in its BTS business are rooted in the Company’s proprietary technology, including
QNX’s POSIX compliant micro-kernel architecture for embedded software applications, Certicom’s cryptography applications,
and Paratek’s adaptive RF antenna tuning technology. In addition, QNX, as a trusted and recognized leader in software for
automotive electronics, brings decades of accumulated knowledge and proven reliability to the embedded software market.
Messaging
AtHoc is a leader in network-centric, interactive crisis communication and is the leading provider of such solutions to the DoD,
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and leading healthcare, industrial and commercial organizations. The AtHoc
platform has been certified by the Department of Homeland Security for its security, integrates with legacy systems, is mobile,
and supports on-premise and cloud-based deployments.
BBM leverages the BlackBerry infrastructure to offer a rich messaging experience for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry users
with features such as free voice calling over Wi-Fi, one-click sharing of files and photos, Dropbox integration, location sharing
and BBM Channels. BBM Protected provides full end-to-end message encryption (using FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic
libraries) for enterprise customers, with no separate hardware required.
Product Design, Engineering and Research and Development
The Company’s research and development (“R&D”) strategy seeks to provide broad market applications for products derived
from its technology base.
The Company dedicates a major portion of its R&D investments to the development of software products and services that
meet the needs of both enterprise IT departments and individual customers. This includes enterprise solutions and services in
mobile security, management, productivity and collaboration offerings, app security and containerization, IAM, and EFSS with
file level data protection. Solutions include leading security capabilities at each level of the platform in order to address the
needs of customers for securing devices, applications, content and work data - at rest and in transit.
The Company creates innovative and robust hardware designs through complex mechanical stack up, board layout and
component integration, combined with proprietary software and firmware features. These tightly integrated solutions allow the
Company to customize its core proprietary technical solutions to address new applications, network protocols, and evolving
transmission frequencies. The Company’s tunable closed loop radio transceiver technology can be adapted to support multiple
protocols in the wireless data communications market. The Company has developed its own radio code stack, which it
incorporates into the processors that are deployed in BlackBerry smartphones.
The Company develops software and services to support BlackBerry smartphones, including the BlackBerry 10 operating
system and Android operating system enhancements, such as advanced privacy controls, verified boot and secure bootchain,
and Android kernel hardening.
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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
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pending technologies relating to wireless communication technology. As of February 29, 2016, the Company owned
approximately 40,000 worldwide patents and applications.
It is the Company’s general practice to enter into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with its employees,
consultants, contract manufacturers, customers, potential customers and others to attempt to limit access to, and distribution of,
its proprietary information. In addition, the Company generally enters into agreements with employees that include an
assignment to the Company of all intellectual property developed in the course of employment.
The Company also enters into various types of licensing agreements related to technology and intellectual property rights. The
Company enters into certain of these agreements to obtain rights that may be necessary to produce and sell products into the
wireless industry. The Company may also license its technology and intellectual property to third parties through various
licensing agreements, including as part of the BTS business.
Production
The Company outsources the majority of its manufacturing to specialized global electronic manufacturing services and joint
development manufacturing companies who are positioned to meet the volumes, scale, cost and quality requirements of the
Company. The Company strives to reduce its risk and dependency on these companies by having various partners located in
key geographical locations, thereby increasing leverage on cost, quality and operational performance. Constant and immediate
access to each manufacturing facility is available upon the Company’s demand, and these facilities are regularly audited by
Company personnel trained in this function.
The Company expects to continue to evolve its supply chain model through partnerships with key suppliers like Foxconn.
Devices manufactured by Foxconn are purchased and resold by BlackBerry. The Company’s hardware model also strives to
provide a supply chain with speed advantages in designing for faster product life cycles, as well as to leverage scale and
manufacturing strength beyond current volumes.
The Company generally controls sourcing decisions for materials and services that are incorporated into Company products.
Outsourced manufacturing partners are responsible for transacting business on behalf of the Company with component
suppliers, but the Company generally negotiates pricing of these materials and services. Depending on market conditions, the
Company may order more or less of a particular material or service and when possible, attempts to source components from at
least two suppliers with a view to avoiding different types of supply disruption. Component availability and pricing of
components may also be affected by the volumes the Company generates, compared to the volumes a competitor may require.
See also the Risk Factor entitled “The Company relies on its suppliers to supply functional components on a timely basis and in
sufficient quantities”.
Industry Associations
The Company is an active participant in numerous industry associations and standards bodies. The Company’s involvement
with leading associations includes standards development, government advocacy, joint marketing, participation in conferences
and trade shows, training, technology licensing by the Company and business development.
Regulatory Matters
In addition to the regulatory requirements applicable to any business, a wireless device manufacturer must obtain certification
from the radio/telecommunications regulatory authorities in most jurisdictions before commencing commercial sale of its
products in those jurisdictions.
The Company’s smartphones must be approved by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) before they can be used
in commercial quantities in the United States. In Canada, the relevant regulatory authority is Industry Canada/Innovation,
Science and Economic Development Canada (“IC/ISED”). The European Union (“EU”) defines requirements within the Radio
and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (“R&TTE”) Directive for making wireless devices available in EU member
states. Regulatory requirements are similar in other jurisdictions. All regulators require wireless devices to meet various
standards, including limits with respect to interference with other electronic equipment and safety standards with respect to
human exposure to electromagnetic radiation.
The Company’s smartphones, which are made commercially available by the Company across multiple markets, meet FCC, IC/
ISED, and R&TTE requirements. In addition, Company smartphones have obtained regulatory approvals required by other
countries where such products are made commercially available by the Company. As BlackBerry has started to design and
market smartphones in selected regions only, not every device will meet FCC, Industry Canada and R&TTE requirements.
In addition, the Company’s products and services have received various security certifications and approvals, including from
the DoD.
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Environmental Regulations and Costs
Some of the Company’s operations, principally in its Devices business, are subject to regulation under various provincial, state,
federal and international laws relating to environmental protection and the proliferation of hazardous substances. In parts of
Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, the Company is currently obligated to comply with substance
restrictions, packaging regulations, energy efficiency ratings and certain product take-back and recycling requirements. In
addition, the Company may be required to comply with emerging substance restrictions or energy efficiency requirements, as
well as product take-back obligations in other jurisdictions that would make the Company responsible for recycling and/or
disposing of products the Company has sold. These and other environmental laws may become more stringent over time, may
be required in more places of the Company’s business and may require the Company to incur substantial compliance costs.
Corporate Responsibility
The Company is committed to operating in a sustainable way that respects the environment, Company employees, the
communities in which the Company operates and the Company’s business partners around the world. Product sustainability
efforts include implementing design for environment principles, material selection processes, energy efficiency and packaging
assessments, as well as product take-back programs. In addition, the Company engages with its suppliers to conduct due
diligence into the source and chain of custody of the so-called “conflict minerals” (which currently include the minerals from
which gold, tantalum, tin, and tungsten are derived) that are necessary to the functionality or production of the Company’s
hardware products.
The Company has formalized a number of policies to reflect the Company’s commitment to responsible business practices,
including a Responsible Minerals Policy, and periodically issues a Corporate Responsibility report. This report and other
documents and policies relating to the Company’s corporate responsibility initiatives can be viewed on the Company’s website
at http://ca.blackberry.com/company/about-us/corporate-responsibility.html and are not incorporated by reference in this AIF.
Employees
As of February 29, 2016, the Company had 4,534 full-time employees.
Facilities
The Company’s headquarters are located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The Company’s main campus in Waterloo consists of
three leased buildings. The Company also operates facilities in the United States, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Middle
East and Africa.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is involved in litigation in the normal course of its business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. The Company
is subject to a variety of claims (including claims related to patent infringement, purported class actions and other claims in the
normal course of business) and may be subject to additional claims either directly or through indemnities against claims that it
provides to certain of its partners and customers. In particular, the industry in which the Company competes has many
participants that own, or claim to own, intellectual property, including participants that have been issued patents and may have
filed patent applications or may obtain additional patents and proprietary rights for technologies similar to those used by the
Company in its products. The Company has received, and may receive in the future, assertions and claims from third parties
that the Company’s products infringe on their patents or other intellectual property rights. Litigation has been, and will likely
continue to be, necessary to determine the scope, enforceability and validity of third-party proprietary rights or to establish the
Company’s proprietary rights. Regardless of whether claims against the Company have merit, those claims could be time-
consuming to evaluate and defend, result in costly litigation, divert management’s attention and resources, subject the Company
to significant liabilities and could have the other effects that are described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in this AIF,
including the risk factors entitled “Litigation against the Company may result in adverse outcomes” and “The Company could
be found to have infringed on the intellectual property rights of others”.
Management reviews all of the relevant facts for each claim and applies judgment in evaluating the likelihood and, if
applicable, the amount of any potential loss. Where a potential loss is considered probable and the amount is reasonably
estimable, provisions for loss are made based on management’s assessment of the likely outcome. Where a range of loss can be
reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum amount in the range. The
Company does not provide for claims for which the outcome is not determinable or claims for which the amount of the loss
cannot be reasonably estimated. Any settlements or awards under such claims are provided for when reasonably determinable.
As of February 29, 2016, there are no claims outstanding for which the Company has assessed the potential loss as both
probable to result and reasonably estimable, therefore no accrual has been made. Further, there are claims outstanding for
which the Company has assessed the potential loss as reasonably possible to result, however an estimate of the amount of loss
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cannot reasonably be made. There are many reasons that the Company cannot make these assessments, including, among
others, one or more of the following: the early stages of a proceeding does not require the claimant to specifically identify the
patent that has allegedly been infringed; damages sought are unspecified, unsupportable, unexplained or uncertain; discovery
has not been started or is incomplete; the facts that are in dispute are highly complex (e.g., once a patent is identified, the
analysis of the patent and a comparison to the activities of the Company is a labour-intensive and highly technical process); the
difficulty of assessing novel claims; the parties have not engaged in any meaningful settlement discussions; the possibility that
other parties may share in any ultimate liability; and the often slow pace of litigation.
Though they do not meet the test for accrual described above, the Company has included the following summaries of certain of
its legal proceedings that it believes may be of interest to its investors.
Between October and December 2013, several purported class action lawsuits and one individual lawsuit were filed against the
Company and certain of its former officers in various jurisdictions alleging that during the period from September 27, 2012
through September 20, 2013, the Company and certain of its officers made materially false and misleading statements
regarding the Company’s financial condition and business prospects and that certain of the Company’s financial statements
contain material misstatements. The individual lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed. In respect of the putative U.S. class actions,
four motions for the appointment of lead plaintiff were filed. On March 14, 2014, the Judge consolidated the proceedings in
the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. On May 27, 2014, the Consolidated Amended Class Action
Complaint was filed. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. On March 13, 2015, the court issued an order
granting the Company’s motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs filed a motion for reconsideration and for leave to file an amended
complaint, which was denied by the court on November 13, 2015. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on December 11, 2015
and filed their opening brief on February 24, 2016. The Company filed its opposition brief on March 30, 2016. In respect of
the putative Ontario class action, the plaintiffs filed a motion for certification and leave to pursue statutory misrepresentation
claims. On November 16, 2015, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an order granting the plaintiffs’ motion for leave
to file a statutory claim for misrepresentation. On December 2, 2015, the Company filed a notice of motion seeking leave to
appeal this ruling. On January 22, 2016, the court postponed the hearing on the plaintiffs’ certification motion to an
undetermined date after asking the Company to file a motion to dismiss the claims of the U.S. plaintiffs for forum non
conveniens. Proceedings are ongoing.
On October 12, 2015, a group of Good’s institutional investors filed a putative class action lawsuit on behalf of Good’s
common shareholders against members of Good’s former board of directors (the “GTC Directors”) related to the Company’s
acquisition of Good (the “GTC Lawsuit”). The plaintiffs allege that the GTC Directors breached their fiduciary duty by
engaging in a self-interested transaction that benefited the preferred shareholders at the expense of the common shareholders.
The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages, as well as rescission of the merger agreement between Good and the Company.
While neither Good nor the Company are parties to the GTC Lawsuit, Good has certain obligations to indemnify the defendants
and is providing a defense. On October 29, 2015, Good filed a complaint alleging that the plaintiffs breached their contractual
obligations under a voting agreement providing that, in the event of a sale transaction that was approved by both the GTC
Directors and a majority of the Good preferred shareholders, the plaintiffs were required to vote their shares in favour of the
transaction and refrain from exercising any appraisal or dissenter rights. Good alleges that the filing of the GTC Lawsuit was a
breach of the voting agreement. On December 31, 2015, several Good shareholders filed a petition seeking appraisal against
Good. Proceedings are ongoing.
ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT
The Company has defined and implemented an approach to manage its exposure to risk, consisting of: (i) a risk management
framework to regularly identify, assess, treat, monitor and report on current and potential risks, and (ii) a governance structure
that clearly defines the responsibilities of the Board, the senior leadership team, employees and other stakeholders to support the
risk management framework. This approach to enterprise risk management is integral to the Company’s business activities and
is designed to:
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•
•
promote effective corporate governance and decision-making by enabling the consistent evaluation of risk on a
consolidated basis;
ensure that risks are managed responsibly in the context of the Company’s strategy and objectives;
support the development of internal controls;
facilitate the reliability and transparency of financial and operational reporting;
assist in compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and contracts; and
reduce harm to financial performance and safeguard the Company’s assets.
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Risk Management Framework Policy and Risk Appetite
The Company’s risk management framework policy defines responsibilities for the identification, assessment, management and
reporting of risks, and sets out expectations for ownership, resource assignment and compliance. The scope of the framework
embraces internal functions as well as those activities for which the Company engages support from third parties.
To support the risk management framework and risk oversight activities, the Company maintains a risk appetite statement that
defines, by category of risk, the Company’s tolerance for risk-taking having regard to potential rewards and overall business
strategies and objectives. The Company risk profile is regularly assessed against the risk appetite statement. The risk appetite
statement is reviewed and updated as the Company’s business strategy and operating environment evolves.
Risk Governance and Oversight
The Company utilizes a “three lines of defense” governance structure to clearly define how the responsibility for risk management
activities is assigned:
• The first line of defense for managing risks resides with the management of each business unit. Risk exposures are
identified and mitigated at a granular level through various ongoing management activities including business planning,
operations management, reporting, and process improvement projects.
• Oversight of business unit management is provided by the second line of defense, the Security Risk and Compliance
Committee (“SRCC”), which meets at least quarterly and is supported by various compliance, security and control
functions. The SRCC is composed of manager representatives from each major business group and provides strategic
direction by defining key policies, identifying emerging risk trends, and sponsoring training.
• The risk performance and audit group comprises the third line of defense, providing independent assurance to assess the
effectiveness of the Company’s risk management program including the governance, risk and internal control activities
conducted by the first two lines of defense.
Additional governance and oversight is provided by the risk management and compliance council (“RMCC”), a council of internal
senior leaders which oversee the risk management activities undertaken by business group management and the SRCC. The
RMCC meets at least quarterly with the Chief Risk Officer serving as the Chair. The RMCC reviews the Company’s risk profile,
risk criteria and limits, and monitors remediation activities to address gaps. The RMCC also approves the risk appetite statement
and promotes a culture of risk management and compliance across the Company.
In addition, the Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Board, pursuant to its charter, is responsible for overseeing all
aspects of risk management at the Company, including the annual risk management plan, risk compliance, the risk performance
and audit function and the controls, processes and policies used to manage the Company’s Risk. The Chief Risk Officer
provides regular reporting to the Board and the Audit and Risk Management Committee on the Company’s risk profile and the
activities overseen by the RMCC.
RISK FACTORS
Investors in the Company’s common shares should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information
contained in this AIF and in the Company’s MD&A for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016. If any of the following risks
actually occurs, the Company’s business could be materially harmed. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the
only ones the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those of which the Company is currently unaware or
the Company currently deems immaterial, may also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
The Company may not be able to attract new enterprise customers or maintain its existing relationships with its
enterprise customers, or transition them to the Company’s latest enterprise software platforms and deploy
BlackBerry smartphones.
The Company’s current focus is on serving enterprise customers, particularly in regulated industries, including financial
services, government and healthcare. In fiscal 2016, the Company undertook numerous initiatives to enhance its enterprise
product and service offerings, including the strategic acquisitions of Good, AtHoc and Watchdox, the launch of the PRIV, the
introduction of BES12 Cloud, and the integration of Samsung KNOX with WorkLife by BlackBerry and SecuSUITE with
BlackBerry enterprise solutions offered through Samsung Business Services. If the Company’s new products and services,
including the Good Secure EMM Suites, are not competitive, do not align with customers’ needs, are not launched as per
announced timelines or if they experience quality or performance issues, results of operations could be materially impacted.
While the Company expects these initiatives to improve and enhance its strength in enterprise solutions, there can be no
assurance that new enterprise customers will be attracted or existing ones maintained.
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Sales to large enterprise customers involve risks that may not be present (or that are present to a lesser extent) with sales to
smaller entities. These risks include:
• more complicated infrastructure requirements, which result in more difficult and time-consuming implementation
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processes;
complex IT systems, mobile environments and data privacy and security requirements;
budget constraints, multiple approvals, lengthy contract negotiations, and unplanned administrative, processing and
other delays;
increased purchasing power and leverage held by large customers in negotiating contractual arrangements with the
Company, including more pressure for discounts and other customer-favourable contractual terms;
longer sales cycles, making it difficult to predict whether and when a sale will be completed, and the associated risk
that substantial time and resources may be spent on a potential customer that ultimately elects not to purchase the
Company’s products or services, or purchases fewer products or services than expected;
customer deferral of purchasing decisions pending adoption of technology by others or pending potential consolidation
in the market;
closer relationships with, and dependence upon, large technology companies that offer competitive solutions; and
•
• more intense and time-consuming customer support practices.
In addition, the Company has encountered challenges due to the impact of BYOD strategies and other flexible mobile
deployment models adopted by its enterprise customers. To address this evolution of the market, the Company has introduced
new cross-platform solutions and new, more competitive BlackBerry smartphones, as described in this AIF. There can be no
assurance that these new product and service offerings will enable the Company to successfully address the challenges it faces
from the trend toward flexible deployment models in the enterprise space, either with existing or new customers.
The Company spends substantial time, money and effort on its sales activities without any assurance that its efforts will produce
any sales. If the Company is unable to increase sales of the Company’s products and services to large enterprises while
mitigating the risks associated with serving such customers, the Company’s results of operations could be materially impacted.
The Company may not be able to develop, market and distribute an integrated software and services offering, or
otherwise monetize its technologies, to grow revenue, achieve sustained profitability, or offset the decline in the
Company’s service access fees.
The Company is increasingly focusing its strategy on software and services to grow revenue and generate sustainable
profitability.
For the Company to increase its software and services revenues, it must continually grow its customer base by attracting new
customers or, in the case of existing customers, deploying software and services on more devices or attracting additional users
in such existing customers’ businesses. The Company also needs to sell additional software and services over time to the same
customers, or have customers upgrade their level of service. If the Company’s efforts to sell or upsell software or services as
described above are not successful, its results of operations could be materially impacted.
Existing customers that purchase the Company’s software and services have no contractual obligation to renew their annual
subscriptions or purchase additional solutions after the initial subscription or contract period. The Company’s customers’
expansion and renewal rates may decline or fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including the perceived need for such
additional software and services, the level of satisfaction with the Company’s software and services, features or functionality,
the perceived reliability of the Company’s software and services, the Company’s customer support, customer budgets and other
competitive factors, such as pricing and competitors’ offerings. For smaller or simpler deployments, the switching costs and
time are relatively minor compared to traditional enterprise software deployments and such a customer may more easily decide
not to renew with the Company and switch to a competitor’s offerings. Accordingly, the Company must invest significant time
and resources in providing ongoing value to these customers. If these efforts fail, or if the Company’s customers do not renew
for other reasons, or if they renew on terms less favourable to the Company, the Company’s revenue may decline and its results
of operations could be materially impacted.
The Company’s ability to grow software and service revenue is also dependent on its ability to expand its distribution
capabilities with indirect partners, resellers and carriers, as well as building a direct sales force, which requires significant time
and resources, including investment in systems and training. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in
implementing its distribution strategy. See also the Risk Factor entitled “The Company’s success depends on its relationships
with network carriers and distributors”.
For the past few years, the Company has experienced continued significant erosion of service revenue from service access fees
(“SAF”) charged to subscribers using BlackBerry 7 and prior BlackBerry operating systems. While the Company expects that
these subscribers will continue to generate service revenue, the amount of those revenues is expected to continue to decline in
the coming quarters, particularly as users of BlackBerry Bold and BlackBerry Curve smartphones upgrade to BlackBerry
devices (such as the Classic and PRIV) that do not generate service access fees, or to a competitor’s smartphone. The Company
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cannot predict the rate of this anticipated decline with any degree of certainty as it depends on a number of factors, including
the rate at which current BlackBerry 6 and BlackBerry 7 customers migrate to BlackBerry 10 or the PRIV and use only standard
BlackBerry services, the Company’s ability to continue charging SAF for its BlackBerry 6 and BlackBerry 7 products, and the
Company’s ability to further develop a compelling integrated services and software offering that generates new service and
software revenues.
The Company expects the generation of revenue from software and services and its other technologies to mitigate the impact of
declining service access fees. If the Company is unable to develop, deliver and support a compelling integrated software and
services offering that will mitigate the decline of service access fee revenue in the manner described above and enable the
Company to recover the costs associated with its network infrastructure, this could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
Finally, while the Company is increasingly focused on growing its software and services revenue, the BlackBerry brand has
historically been strongly associated with devices. Any decision by the Company to discontinue its involvement in the Devices
business may impair the value of the BlackBerry brand and may adversely affect the Company’s ability to sell software
products and services.
The Company may not be able to enhance its current products and services, or develop new products and services,
in a timely manner, at competitive prices, or to meet customer requirements, or accurately predict emerging
technological trends.
The industries in which the Company competes are characterized by increasingly rapid technological change, evolving industry
standards, frequent new product introductions, frequent market price reductions, constant improvements in performance
characteristics and short product life cycles. The Company’s future success depends upon its ability to enhance its current
products and services and provide for their compatibility with evolving industry standards and operating systems, to address
competing technologies and products developed by other companies, and to continue to develop and introduce new products
and services offering enhanced performance and functionality on a timely basis at competitive prices.
The process of developing new technology is complex and uncertain, and involves time, substantial costs and risks, which are
further magnified when the development process involves multiple operating platforms. The Company may be required to
commit significant resources to developing new products, software and services before knowing whether such investment will
result in products, software or services the market will accept. These risks are greater in the mobile communications market
because the Company’s software is compatible with devices that run on different operating systems such as iOS, Android and
Windows Phone, which change frequently in response to consumer demand. As a result, the Company may need to release new
software updates at a much greater pace than a traditional enterprise software company that supports only a single platform.
The Company’s inability, for technological or other reasons, some of which may be beyond the Company’s control, to enhance,
develop, introduce and monetize products and services in a timely manner, or at all, in response to changing market conditions
or customer requirements could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial
condition or could result in its products and services not achieving market acceptance or becoming obsolete. In addition, if the
Company fails to deliver a compelling customer experience or accurately predict emerging technological trends and the
changing needs of customers and end users, or if the features of its new products and services do not meet the demands of its
customers, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially harmed.
The Company may not be able to successfully market and distribute the PRIV device.
The Company’s latest device is the PRIV, the Company’s first ever BlackBerry smartphone powered by the Android operating
system, with both a touch and physical keyboard. The PRIV combines BlackBerry’s productivity, security and privacy features
with the expansive mobile application system available on the Android platform.
The future success of the Company’s hardware business is primarily dependent on the successful marketing and distribution of
the PRIV. The Company is spending substantial time, money and effort on its marketing and sales activities and is highlighting
its core strengths of enterprise and security to differentiate the PRIV from other competing products. There is no assurance that
the Company’s efforts will produce broad market acceptance of the PRIV or that revenue and profitability generated from the
device will be sufficient to support the continuation of the Company’s involvement in the devices business.
In addition, the Company believes that maintaining and enhancing the BlackBerry brand, built on the Company’s core strengths
of enterprise, security and a physical keyboard, is critical to its relationship with current and potential customers. There is a risk
that the Company’s adoption of the Android operating system as the preferred operating system for future BlackBerry
smartphones in lieu of the BlackBerry 10 operating system, may erode the BlackBerry brand and impair the value of the
BlackBerry 10 platform.
The Company faces intense competition.
The Company is engaged in an industry that is highly competitive and rapidly evolving, and has experienced, and expects to
continue to experience, intense competition from a number of companies. No technology has been exclusively or commercially
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adopted as the industry standard for mobile communication, messaging or machine-to-machine communication. Accordingly,
both the nature of the competition and the scope of the business opportunities afforded by the market in which the Company
competes are uncertain.
The Company’s competitors, including new market entrants, may implement new technologies before the Company does,
deliver new products and services earlier, or provide more attractively priced, enhanced or better quality products and services
than the Company does, making it more difficult for the Company to win or preserve market share. Customers may also
question the Company’s ability to compete or remain viable as a provider of mobile communications solutions over the longer
term and could decide to replace the Company’s products and services with those of its competitors.
Some of the Company’s competitors have greater name recognition, larger customer bases and significantly greater financial,
technical, marketing, public relations, sales, distribution and other resources than the Company does, and such competitors have
increased their market share at the expense of the Company in recent years. In particular, some of the Company’s competitors
have increased their focus on marketing and product development efforts in the enterprise market. In addition, competition may
intensify as the Company’s competitors enter into business combinations or alliances and established companies in other market
segments expand to become competitive with the Company’s business.
The impact of the competition described above could result in fewer customer orders, loss of market share, reduced revenue and
reduced gross and operating margins. Intense competition may also require the Company to reduce its prices, which may result
in the recording of inventory provisions by the Company. If the Company is unable to compete successfully, there could be a
material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
The occurrence or perception of a breach of the Company’s security measures or an inappropriate disclosure of
confidential or personal information could harm its business.
Attempts by outside parties to access confidential or personal information of companies or their customers have, unfortunately,
become commonplace. Unauthorized parties can attempt to breach a company’s security measures through the actions of
outside parties (e.g., hacking or malware) or employee action (e.g., error, malfeasance, or otherwise), in an attempt to obtain
access to confidential or personal information. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees,
users, partners or customers to disclose sensitive information to gain access to confidential or personal information.
BlackBerry products and services frequently involve the transmission of business-critical, proprietary, confidential and personal
information of end users, and can include on-premise and cloud deployments. The Company may be required to invest
additional resources or change its products, services or network operations to protect itself or its end users against damage
caused by actual or perceived disruptions or security breaches in the future. These actions may have a detrimental impact on
cost, the user experience or compatibility with third party products and services. Since the techniques used to obtain
unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until
launched against a target, or may not be identified until a later time, the Company may not be able to anticipate these
techniques, to implement adequate preventative measures or to remedy them in a timely manner. The risk that these types of
events could seriously harm the Company’s business may increase as the Company expands the number of web-based products
and services that it offers, increases the number of countries where the Company operates, and expands its ecosystem to offer
third party products and services in conjunction with its own. Third party applications that are downloaded by a user on their
BlackBerry smartphone could also increase the risk of a potential unauthorized access, misuse or misdirection of confidential or
personal information because some applications require access to such information.
If the security measures implemented by the Company or its partners are breached, or perceived to be breached, or if there is an
inappropriate disclosure or misdirection of confidential or personal information, including as a result of a security breach or
virus relating to hardware or software, the Company could be exposed to litigation, potential liability and regulatory sanctions.
Even if the Company was not held liable, a security breach or inappropriate disclosure of confidential or personal information
(or the perception that such a breach has occurred) could materially damage the Company’s reputation, which is built in large
measure on the security and reliability of BlackBerry products and services, and even the perception of security vulnerabilities
in the Company’s products, including its Android-based smartphones, services or network operations, could lead some
customers, particularly governmental customers, to reduce or delay future purchases or to purchase competitive products or
services.
The Company’s products and services are dependent upon interoperability with rapidly changing systems provided
by third parties.
The Company’s platform depends on interoperability with operating systems, such as those provided by Apple, Google and
Microsoft, as well as device manufacturers. Because mobile operating systems are released frequently and the Company
typically has limited advance notice of changes in features and functionality of operating systems and mobile devices, the
Company may be forced to divert resources from its preexisting product roadmap to accommodate these changes. In addition, if
the Company fails to enable IT departments to support operating system upgrades upon release, the Company’s business and
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reputation could suffer. This could further disrupt the Company’s product roadmap and cause it to delay introduction of planned
products and services, features and functionality, which could harm the Company’s business.
Operating system providers have included, and may continue to include, features and functionality in their operating systems
that are comparable to elements of the Company’s products and services, thereby making the Company’s platform less valuable.
The inclusion of, or the announcement of an intent to include, functionality perceived to be similar to that offered by the
Company’s products and services in mobile operating systems may have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to market
and sell its products and services. Furthermore, some of the features and functionality in the Company’s products and services
require interoperability with operating system application programming interfaces (“APIs”), and if operating system providers
decide to restrict the Company’s access to their APIs, that functionality would be lost and the Company’s business could be
impaired.
The Company’s success depends on its continuing ability to attract new personnel and retain existing key personnel.
The Company’s success is largely dependent on its continuing ability to identify, attract, develop, motivate and retain skilled
employees, including members of its executive team. Competition for highly skilled management, technical, research and
development and other employees is intense and increasing in the mobile communications and embedded software industries.
The Company’s recent restructuring activities, as well as the Company’s loss of market share, share price performance
(particularly for those employees for whom equity-based compensation has been a key element of their total compensation) and
perceived future prospects, among other factors, may impact the Company’s ability to attract new, and retain existing,
employees. None of the Company’s executive officers or key employees is bound by an employment agreement for any specific
term. The Company does not maintain key-person life insurance policies on any of its employees.
If the Company is unable to successfully execute its current strategies and realize the anticipated benefits of those strategies, it
may be unable to attract and retain key employees, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business,
results of operations and financial condition.
The Company’s success depends on its relationships with network carriers and distributors.
The Company is dependent on its ability to establish, maintain and develop new relationships, and to build on existing
relationships, with its network carrier partners. The Company relies on these partners to promote and deliver the Company’s
current and future products and services and to grow its user base, particularly in the United States, Canada and Europe, where
the Company is dependent on a limited number of network carriers. In addition, the Company’s ability to establish, maintain
and expand its market reach is increasingly dependent on establishing and maintaining distribution relationships with third
party and indirect distributors. This is particularly the case in emerging and growth markets such as the Middle East, Asia and
Latin America.
Factors, some of which are largely within the control of network carriers and distributors, that are important to the success of
adoption of BlackBerry products and services, future revenue of the Company, and the growth of the Company’s user base,
include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the quality and coverage area of voice and data services offered by the carriers;
the degree to which carriers and distributors actively promote or subsidize the Company’s products and the size
of the user base to which these efforts are directed;
the extent to which carriers and distributors offer and promote competitive products and services;
activations of BlackBerry user accounts, as well as retention of existing ones;
the carriers’ interest in testing, and certifying in a timely manner, the Company’s products on their networks;
network performance and required investments in upgrades;
support for new software technologies; and
continued support and distribution of the Company’s products and services if claims involving its products are
filed against its carriers and licensees as well as against the Company.
Most network carriers and distributors sell products and services of the Company’s competitors and may terminate their
relationships with the Company with limited or no notice and limited or no penalty. If the Company’s competitors offer their
products and services to the carriers and distributors on more favorable contractual or business terms, have more products and
services available, or those products and services are, or are perceived to be, in higher demand by end users, or are more
lucrative for the carriers and distributors, there may be continued pressure on the Company to reduce the price of its products
and services, or those carriers and distributors may stop carrying the Company’s products or de-emphasize the sale of its
products and services in favor of the Company’s competitors, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
business, results of operations and financial condition. There can be no assurance that the network carriers and distributors will
act in a manner that will promote the success of the Company’s products and services.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in establishing new relationships, or maintaining or enhancing
its existing relationships, with network carriers and distributors. If any significant network carrier or distributor discontinues its
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relationship with the Company for any reason, reduces or postpones current or expected purchase commitments for products
and services, or promotes the products and services of a competitor over those of the Company, the Company’s business, results
of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. The Company’s ability to replace or find new large
customers is necessarily limited due to the limited number of wireless carriers and distributors in many territories.
Acquisitions, divestitures, investments and other business initiatives may negatively affect the Company’s results of
operations.
The Company has acquired, and continues to seek out opportunities to acquire or invest in, businesses, assets, products, services
and technologies that expand, complement or are otherwise related to the Company’s business or provide opportunities for
growth. For example, in fiscal 2016, the Company acquired Encription, Good, AtHoc and WatchDox (see “General
Development of the Business - Fiscal 2016” in this AIF). In addition, the Company is increasingly collaborating and partnering
with third parties to develop technologies, products and services, as well as seek new revenue through partnering arrangements.
These activities involve significant challenges and risks, including: that they may not advance the Company’s strategic
objectives or generate a satisfactory return on investment; that the Company may have difficulty integrating and managing new
employees, business systems, and technology; the potential loss of key employees of an acquired business; additional demands
on the Company’s management, resources, systems, procedures and controls; disruption of the Company’s ongoing business;
and diversion of management’s attention from other business concerns. Acquisitions, investments or other strategic
collaborations or partnerships may involve significant commitments of financial and other resources of the Company. If these
fail to perform as expected, or if the Company fails to enter into and execute the transactions or arrangements needed to
succeed, the Company may not be able to bring its products, services or technologies to market successfully or in a timely
manner, or its operations could be affected adversely.
Furthermore, an acquisition may have an adverse effect on the Company’s cash position if all or a portion of the purchase price
is paid in cash, and common shares issuable in an acquisition would dilute the percentage ownership of the Company’s existing
shareholders. Any such activity may not be successful in generating revenue, income or other returns to the Company, and the
financial or other resources committed to such activities would not be available to the Company for other purposes. In addition,
the acquisitions may involve unanticipated costs and liabilities, including possible litigation and new or increased regulatory
exposure, which are not covered by the indemnity or escrow provisions, if any, of the relevant acquisition agreements.
As business circumstances dictate, the Company may also decide to divest itself of assets or businesses. The Company may not
be successful in identifying or managing the risks involved in any divestiture, including its ability to obtain a reasonable
purchase price for the assets, potential liabilities that may continue to apply to the Company following the divestiture, potential
tax implications, employee issues or other matters. The Company’s inability to address these risks could adversely affect the
Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
Network disruptions or other business interruptions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
business and harm its reputation.
BlackBerry services are provided through the Company’s network operations, often together with the wireless networks of its
carrier partners. The Company’s operations rely to a significant degree on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of complex
technology systems and networks, which are in some cases integrated with those of third parties. The Company’s networks and
technology systems are potentially vulnerable to damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including by fire,
earthquake, power loss, telecommunications or computer systems failure, cyber attack, human error, terrorist acts, war, and the
threatened or actual suspension of BlackBerry services at the request of a government for alleged noncompliance with local
laws or other events. The increased number of third party applications on the Company’s network may also enhance the risk of
network disruption or cyber attack for the Company. There may also be system or network interruptions if new or upgraded
systems are defective or not installed properly.
The Company has experienced network events in the past, and any future outage in a network or system or other unanticipated
problem that leads to an interruption or disruption of BlackBerry services could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition, and could adversely affect the Company’s longstanding
reputation for reliability, thereby resulting in end users purchasing products offered by its competitors. As the Company moves
to handle increased data traffic and support more applications or services, the risk of disruption and the expense of maintaining
a resilient and secure network services capability may significantly increase.
In fiscal 2017, the Company expects to implement a new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) software system. Any
disruptions impacting the Company’s operations during the implementation period could adversely affect the Company’s
business in a number of respects. Even if adverse effects are not encountered, the implementation of the ERP system may be
much more costly than anticipated. If the Company is unable to successfully implement the ERP system as planned, its
business, results of operations and financial condition could be negatively impacted.
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Failure to protect the Company’s intellectual property could harm its ability to compete effectively and the
Company may not earn the revenues it expects from intellectual property rights.
The Company’s commercial success is highly dependent upon its ability to protect its proprietary technology. The Company
relies on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions
to protect its proprietary rights, all of which offer only limited protection. Despite the Company’s efforts, the steps taken to
protect its proprietary rights may not be adequate to preclude misappropriation of its proprietary information or infringement of
its intellectual property rights, and the Company’s ability to police such misappropriation or infringement is uncertain. The
laws of certain countries in which the Company’s products and services are sold or licensed do not protect intellectual property
rights to the same extent as the laws of Canada or the United States.
With respect to patent rights, the Company cannot be certain whether any of its pending patent applications will result in the
issuance of patents or whether the examination process will require the Company to narrow its claims. Furthermore, any patents
issued could be challenged, invalidated or circumvented and may not provide proprietary protection or a competitive advantage.
In addition, a number of the Company’s competitors and other third parties have been issued patents, and may have filed patent
applications or may obtain additional patents and proprietary rights, for technologies similar to those that the Company has
made or may make in the future. Public awareness of new technologies often lags behind actual discoveries, making it difficult
or impossible to know all relevant patent applications at any particular time. Consequently, the Company cannot be certain that
it was the first to develop the technology covered by its pending patent applications or that it was the first to file patent
applications for the technology. In addition, the disclosure in the Company’s patent applications may not be sufficient to meet
the statutory requirements for patentability in all cases. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company’s patent
applications will result in patents being issued.
While the Company enters into confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements with its employees, consultants, contract
manufacturers, customers, potential customers and others to attempt to limit access to, and distribution of, proprietary and
confidential information, it is possible that:
•
•
•
•
•
some or all of its confidentiality agreements will not be honoured;
third parties will independently develop equivalent technology or misappropriate the Company’s technology or
designs;
disputes will arise with the Company’s strategic partners, customers or others concerning the ownership of
intellectual property;
unauthorized disclosure or use of the Company’s intellectual property, including source code, know-how or
trade secrets will occur; or
contractual provisions may not be enforceable.
In addition, the Company expends significant resources to patent and manage the intellectual property it creates with the
expectation that it will generate revenues by incorporating that intellectual property in its products or services. The Company is
also monetizing its patent portfolio through outbound patent licensing. Changes in the law may weaken the Company’s ability
to collect royalty revenue for licensing its patents. Similarly, licensees of the Company’s patents may fail to satisfy their
obligations to pay royalties, or may contest the scope and extent of their obligations. Finally, the royalties the Company can
obtain to monetize its intellectual property may decline because of the evolution of technology, changes in the selling price of
products using licensed patents, or the difficulty of discovering infringements.
Detecting and protecting against the unauthorized use of the Company’s products, technology proprietary rights, and
intellectual property rights is expensive, difficult and, in some cases, impossible. Litigation may be necessary in the future to
enforce or defend the Company’s intellectual property rights and could result in substantial costs and diversion of management
resources, either of which could harm the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations, and there is no
assurance that the Company will be successful.
The Company relies on its suppliers to supply functional components on a timely basis and in sufficient quantities.
The Company’s direct and outsourced manufacturing activity depends on obtaining adequate supplies of functional
components, such as displays, semi-conductors, batteries, printed circuit boards, plastics, tooling equipment and memory, on a
timely basis. The Company purchases components and licenses certain software used in the manufacture and operation of its
products from a variety of sources. Some components, including custom components, come from sole source suppliers.
The Company must order components for its products and build inventory in advance of product announcements and
shipments. If the Company overestimates its component requirements, it may result in excess inventory. This would increase
the risk of obsolescence or financial penalties based on failure to satisfy minimum volume commitments, which would increase
the manufacturing costs per unit of the Company’s products. If the Company underestimates component requirements, it may
have inadequate inventory, which could interrupt manufacturing operations and delay delivery of products.
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Some components are subject to price fluctuations and supply constraints, in part due to the continuing convergence of the
mobile communication and computer industries, and increased competition. Some of the Company’s competitors may receive
preferential treatment from suppliers through allocations of scarce components or lower pricing. A supplier could also increase
pricing, discontinue, or restrict supplying components or licensing software to the Company with or without penalty, resulting
in product manufacturing and delivery delays. A supplier could also file for bankruptcy or experience damage or interruption in
its operations due to fire, earthquake, power loss, labour disruptions, telecommunications or computer systems failure, the
effects of global or regional economic conditions, human error, terrorist acts, war or other events. Alternative sources of supply
are not always available.
If the Company cannot manufacture and supply products due to a lack of components for any of the above reasons, or is unable
to redesign products using other components in a timely manner, the Company’s sales and operating results could be adversely
affected.
Moreover, the Company depends on, but has limited control over, the quality and reliability of the products supplied or licensed
to the Company. If a component supplier failed to meet the Company’s product quality standards, and as a consequence some
of its products were unacceptable to the Company, the Company’s sales and operating results could be adversely affected.
The Company has negotiated volume-based pricing terms with many of its suppliers and the Company may experience higher
than anticipated costs if current volume-based purchase projections are not met. Some contracts have minimum purchase
commitments and the Company may incur large financial penalties or increased production costs if these commitments are not
met. In addition, some contracts require the Company to agree to a flat fee regardless of volumes, which can result in higher
unit costs than anticipated if demand is lower than anticipated. Any of these outcomes may result in the Company’s products
being more costly to manufacture and less competitive, which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business,
results of operations and financial condition.
Sales to customers in highly regulated industries and governmental entities can be highly competitive and require
compliance with stringent regulation.
Many of the Company’s enterprise customers are either in highly regulated industries or are governmental entities and may be
required to comply with more stringent regulations in connection with the implementation and use of the Company’s products
and services. Highly regulated and governmental entities often require contract terms that differ from the Company’s standard
arrangements and impose compliance requirements that are complicated, require preferential pricing or “most favoured nation”
terms and conditions, or are otherwise time-consuming and expensive to satisfy. Government demand and payment for the
Company’s products and services may be impacted by public sector budgetary cycles and funding authorizations, with funding
reductions or delays adversely affecting public sector demand for the Company’s products and services. The additional costs
associated with providing the Company’s products and services to governmental entities and highly regulated customers could
harm the Company’s margins. Moreover, changes in the underlying regulatory conditions that affect these types of customers
could harm the Company’s ability to efficiently provide BlackBerry products and services to them and to grow or maintain the
Company’s customer base.
The Company relies on third parties to manufacture and repair its products.
The Company outsources the majority of the manufacturing and repair of its products to third parties. The resources devoted by
these third parties to meet the Company’s manufacturing and repair requirements are not within the Company’s control and
there can be no assurance that manufacturing or repair problems will not occur in the future.
The Company’s reliance on outsourcing its manufacturing requirements, directly and indirectly, to third parties may involve a
number of risks, including:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
failure to satisfy the Company’s manufacturing and supply requirements on a timely basis, including by failing
to meet scheduled production and delivery deadlines;
reduced ability to ensure product quality, and to monitor and manage quality controls;
reduced control over costs;
an inability to obtain additional or substitute manufacturers when and if needed, and on a cost-effective basis;
reduced control over the Company’s intellectual property;
increased risk of counterfeit and fraudulent activities giving rise to the availability of unauthorized devices; and
early termination of, or failure to renew, contractual arrangements.
If the Company’s partners fail to meet the Company’s manufacturing and supply requirements on a timely basis, it could have a
material adverse effect on the Company’s cost, supply or quality of finished goods and its results of operations could be
materially impacted.
The Company may not be able to obtain rights to use software or components supplied by third parties.
Many of the Company’s products, including software and components, include intellectual property which must be licensed
from third parties. The termination of any of these licenses, or the failure of such third parties to adequately maintain, protect
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or update their software or intellectual property rights, could delay the Company’s ability to offer its products while the
Company seeks to implement alternative technology offered by other sources (which may not be available on commercially
reasonable terms) or develop such technology internally (which would require significant unplanned investment on the
Company’s part).
The Company also enables access to the Amazon Appstore to users of the BlackBerry 10.3 operating system through a licensing
agreement with Amazon, and enables access to the Google Play store to PRIV users through a licensing agreement with Google.
The termination of either of these licenses would significantly reduce access to popular applications and games to BlackBerry
smartphone customers and may adversely affect sales of the Company’s smartphones.
In addition, certain software that the Company uses may be subject to open source licenses. Use and distribution of open
source software may entail greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not
provide warranties or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code. Some open source
licenses contain requirements that the Company make available source code for modifications or derivative works created by
the Company based upon the type of open source software used. If the Company combines its proprietary solutions with open
source software in a certain manner, the Company could, under certain of the open source licenses, be required to release the
source code of the Company’s proprietary solutions to the public or offer the Company’s solutions to users at no cost. This
could allow the Company’s competitors to create similar solutions with lower development effort and time and ultimately could
result in a loss of revenue to the Company.
The terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. courts, and there is a risk that such licenses could be
construed in a manner that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on the Company’s ability to commercialize its
products and services. In such an event, the Company could be required to obtain licenses from third parties in order to continue
offering its products and services, to re-engineer the Company’s products or services, or to discontinue the sale of its products
and services in the event re-engineering cannot be accomplished on a timely basis, any of which could materially and adversely
affect the Company’s business and operating results.
The Company faces substantial inventory and other asset risk, including the potential for charges related to its
inventory and long-lived assets.
As the Company develops or announces new products and services, many of its older products and services will reach the end
of their life cycle. The Company may decide, or may be required to, discontinue sales of certain products or services, or not
pursue the development of certain products or services, as a result of such factors including expected demand, lower than
expected sales, litigation or government action. As the Company discontinues the manufacturing and sale of these products and
services, the Company must manage the liquidation of inventory, supplier commitments and customer expectations. In addition,
the Company records a write-down for product and component inventories that have become obsolete, can no longer be sold or
exceed anticipated demand or net realizable value, and accrues necessary cancellation fee reserves for orders of excess products
and components. Because the Company’s markets are volatile, competitive and subject to rapid technology and price changes,
there is also a risk the Company will forecast incorrectly and order or produce excess or insufficient inventories of components
or products, which risk is exacerbated when making forecasts related to the introduction of new technology platforms. See also
the Risk Factor entitled “The Company relies on its suppliers to supply functional components on a timely basis and in
sufficient quantities”.
The Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected in the future by
the Company’s ability to manage its inventory levels and respond to short-term shifts in customer demand patterns. No
assurance can be given that the Company will not incur related charges with respect to its existing or future products given the
rapid and unpredictable pace of product obsolescence in the industries in which the Company competes.
Under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, the Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment
when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. As at February 29, 2016, the
Company’s long-lived assets had a carrying value of approximately $1.6 billion. The assets represent items such as the
Company’s network infrastructure, owned data centres and certain intellectual property, among others. The Company cannot be
certain of its ability to generate sufficient cash flows to fully recover the current carrying value of these assets. If it is
determined that sufficient future cash flows do not exist to support the current carrying value, the Company will be required to
record an impairment charge for long-lived assets in order to adjust the value of these assets to the newly established estimated
value.
The Company’s ability to maintain or increase its liquidity could be adversely affected by its ability to generate cash
flow.
As of the end of fiscal 2016, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and investments of approximately $2.6 billion with $1.25
billion in indebtedness as a result of the Debenture Financing. The Company generates cash from sales of its products and
services and from investment income to fund its operations and investments. The Company’s working capital requirements and
cash flows historically have been, and are expected to continue to be, subject to quarterly and yearly fluctuations, depending on
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such factors as timing and success of new product introductions, levels of sales, returns on the Company’s investment portfolio,
timing of deliveries and collection of receivables, inventory levels, capital expenditures, operating expenses, and customer and
supplier terms and conditions.
The Company’s ability to maintain or increase its cash flow and working capital could be adversely affected if it is unable to
successfully drive adoption of its new products and services or exploit other opportunities for revenue growth. In addition, if the
Company fails to accurately predict emerging technological trends and the changing needs of customers and end users, or the
features of its new products and services do not meet the expectations or achieve acceptance of its customers, its cash flow,
liquidity and financial condition could be materially harmed.
If the Company is unable to maintain or increase its cash balance, it may be required to raise additional funds through the
issuance of equity, additional debt or a combination of equity and debt, or may be required to reduce or delay capital
expenditures, further reduce costs, reallocate resources within the Company or consider other alternatives. Access to additional
capital may not, however, be available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. Furthermore, any future equity or equity-
linked offering could be dilutive to existing shareholders and any drawdown on any future debt financing would require the
Company to dedicate a portion of its cash flow to payments on indebtedness, would require the Company to comply with
restrictive covenants or to meet certain financial tests, and would limit the Company’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to,
changes in its business. There can be no assurance that the Company’s strategies will be successful or that it will be able to
maintain or increase its cash balance.
The Company has incurred significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect its operating flexibility and
financial condition.
The Company has, and may from time to time in the future have, third-party debt service obligations pursuant to its outstanding
indebtedness, which currently includes $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of Debentures. The degree to which the
Company is leveraged could have important consequences, including:
•
•
•
•
the Company’s ability to obtain additional debt financing for working capital, capital expenditures, strategic initiatives
or other business purposes in the future may be limited;
a portion of the Company’s cash flow from operations or other capital resources will be dedicated to the payment of
the principal of, and/or interest on, indebtedness, thereby reducing funds available for working capital, capital
expenditures, strategic initiatives or other business purposes;
the Company may be more vulnerable to adverse economic and industry conditions as a result of its debt service
obligations, including as a result of borrowings at variable rates of interest, which exposes the Company to the risk of
increased interest rates; and
the Company’s flexibility in planning for, or reacting to changes in, its business and industry may be limited.
The Company’s ability to make scheduled payments of interest on its indebtedness will depend upon its future operating
performance and cash flow, which are subject to prevailing economic conditions and financial, competitive, business and other
factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. If the Company does not have sufficient cash flow from operations,
it could result in its inability to pay amounts due under its outstanding indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs and it may
be required to refinance all or part of its then existing indebtedness (including the Debentures), sell assets, reduce or delay
capital expenditures or seek to raise additional capital, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Debentures are subject to restrictive and other covenants that may limit the discretion of the Company and its subsidiaries
with respect to certain business matters. These covenants place restrictions upon, among other things, the Company’s ability to
incur additional indebtedness or provide guarantees in respect of obligations, create liens or other encumbrances, pay dividends,
merge or consolidate with another entity and enter into any speculative hedging transaction. A breach of any of these covenants
could result in a default under the Company’s outstanding indebtedness, which would have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, certain of the Company’s competitors may
operate on a less leveraged basis, or without such restrictive covenants, and therefore could have greater generating and
financing flexibility than the Company.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to repay, restructure or refinance its indebtedness, including the
Debentures, as principal amounts become due, or that it will be able to do so on terms as favourable as those currently in place.
Any refinancing of the Company’s indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require the Company to comply with
more onerous covenants, which could further restrict its operations. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt agreements,
including the Indenture (as defined below in “Description of Capital Structure - Convertible Debentures”), may restrict the
Company from adopting any of these alternatives. Further, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the
Indenture), the Company would be obliged to make an offer to purchase the outstanding Debentures at a premium, which may
require the Company to secure capital. If the Company is unable to refinance its indebtedness, or is only able to refinance
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indebtedness on less favourable terms, this may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations
and financial condition.
The Company could be found to have infringed on the intellectual property rights of others.
Companies in the software and technology industries, including some of the Company’s current and potential competitors, own
large numbers of patents, copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets and frequently enter into litigation based on allegations of
infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. Although the Company believes that third-party software
included in the Company’s products is licensed from the entity holding the intellectual property rights and that its products do
not infringe on the rights of third parties, third parties have and will continue to assert infringement claims against the Company
in the future. The Company may be subject to these types of claims either directly or indirectly through indemnities that it
provides to certain of its customers, partners and suppliers against these claims. As the Company continues to develop software
products and expand its portfolio using new technology and innovation, its exposure to threats of infringement may increase.
Many intellectual property infringement claims are brought by entities whose business model is to obtain patent-licensing
revenues from operating companies such as the Company. Because such entities do not typically generate their own products
or services, the Company cannot deter their claims based on counterclaims that they infringe patents in the Company’s portfolio
or by entering into cross-licensing arrangements.
Regardless of whether patent or other intellectual property infringement claims against the Company have any merit, they
could:
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adversely affect the Company’s relationships with its customers;
be time-consuming and expensive to evaluate and defend, including in litigation or other proceedings;
result in negative publicity for the Company;
divert management’s attention and resources;
cause product and software shipment delays or stoppages;
subject the Company to significant liabilities;
require the Company to develop possible workaround solutions that may be costly and disruptive to implement;
and
require the Company to cease certain activities or to cease selling its products and services in certain markets.
In addition, any such claim may require the Company to enter into costly royalty agreements or obtain a license for the
intellectual property rights of third parties. Such licenses may not be available or they may not be available on commercially
reasonable terms.
Any of the foregoing infringement claims and related litigation could have a significant adverse impact on the Company’s
business and operating results, as well as the Company’s ability to generate future revenues and profits. See also “Legal
Proceedings” in this AIF.
Litigation against the Company may result in adverse outcomes.
In the course of its business, the Company receives general commercial claims related to the conduct of its business and the
performance of its products and services, including product liability and warranty claims, employment claims and other
litigation claims, which may potentially include claims relating to improper use of, or access to, personal data.
In addition, the Company is subject to potential litigation claims arising from its disclosure practices. The Company is
committed to providing a high level of disclosure and transparency and provides commentary that highlights the trends and
uncertainties that the Company anticipates. Given the highly competitive and rapidly evolving mobile communications
industry and the ongoing transition in the Company’s business strategy, the Company’s financial results may not follow any
past trends, making it difficult to predict the Company’s financial results. Consequently, actual results may differ materially
from those expressed or implied by the Company’s forward-looking statements and may not meet the expectations of analysts
or investors, which can contribute to the volatility of the market price of the Company’s common shares. Despite the
Company’s cautions in each earnings release, earnings conference call and securities filings that contain forward-looking
statements, the Company may nevertheless be subject to potential securities litigation or enforcement actions.
Litigation resulting from these claims could be costly and time-consuming and could divert the attention of management and
key personnel from the Company’s business operations. The complexity of the technology involved and the inherent
uncertainty of commercial, class action, securities, employment and other litigation increases these risks. In recognition of
these considerations, the Company may enter into settlements resulting in material expenditures, the payment of which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operation and financial condition. If the Company is
unsuccessful in its defense of material litigation claims or is unable to settle the claims, the Company may be faced with
significant monetary damages or injunctive relief against it that could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
business, BlackBerry brand, results of operations and financial condition. Administrative or regulatory actions against the
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Company or its employees could also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, BlackBerry brand, results of
operations and financial condition. See also “Legal Proceedings” in this AIF.
Government regulations applicable to the Company’s products and services, including products containing
encryption capabilities, could negatively impact the Company’s business.
Certain government regulations applicable to the Company’s products and services may provide opportunities for competitors
or limit industry growth. For example, a change to the regulatory classification of the Company’s products and services, such
as content, taxation, and licensing requirements, could place regulatory obligations commonly reserved for licensed
telecommunications carriers or broadcasters on the Company. The impact of these potential obligations could vary based on the
jurisdiction, but any such changes could impact whether the Company enters, maintains or expands its presence in a particular
market, and whether the Company must dedicate additional resources to comply with these obligations.
Various countries have enacted laws and regulations, adopted controls, license or permit requirements, and restrictions on the
export, import, and use of products or services that contain encryption technology. In addition, from time to time, governmental
agencies have proposed additional regulations relating to encryption technology, such as requiring certification, notifications,
review of source code, or the escrow and governmental recovery of private encryption keys. Governmental regulation of
encryption technology, including the regulation of imports or exports, could harm the Company’s sales in one or more
jurisdictions and adversely affect the Company’s revenues. Complying with such regulations could also require the Company
to devote additional research and development resources to change the Company’s software or services or alter the methods by
which the Company makes them available, which could be costly. In addition, failure to comply with such regulations could
result in penalties, costs and restrictions on import or export privileges or adversely affect sales to government agencies or
government funded projects.
Some of the Company’s competitors do not have the same level of encryption in their technology and some competitors may be
subject to less stringent controls on the export, import, and use of encryption technologies in certain markets. Also, several
countries have adopted legislation authorizing the circumvention of encryption measures in limited circumstances. These
legislative provisions could potentially be used by competitors to attempt to reverse engineer or find vulnerabilities in the
Company’s products and services. As a result, these competitors may be able to compete more effectively than the Company
can in those markets.
The use and disclosure of user data and personal information could give rise to liabilities as a result of legal, carrier
and other customer requirements.
The Company transmits and stores a large volume of data, including personal information, in the course of supporting its
products and services. This information is increasingly subject to legislation and regulations in numerous jurisdictions
around the world that is intended to protect the privacy and security of personal information, as well as the collection, storage,
transmission, use and disclosure of such information.
The interpretation of privacy and data protection laws and their application to the Internet and mobile communications in a
number of jurisdictions, is unclear and in a state of flux. There is a risk that these laws may be interpreted and applied in
conflicting ways from country to country and in a manner that is not consistent with the Company’s current data protection
practices. Complying with these varying international requirements could cause the Company to incur additional costs and
change the Company’s business practices. In addition, because the Company’s services are accessible worldwide, certain
foreign jurisdictions may claim that the Company is required to comply with their laws, even where the Company has no local
entity, employees, or infrastructure. Non-compliance could result in penalties or significant legal liability and the Company’s
business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.
The Company’s network carriers or other customers, partners or members of its ecosystem may also have differing expectations
or impose particular requirements for the collection, storage, processing and transmittal of user data or personal information in
connection with BlackBerry products and services. Such expectations or requirements could subject the Company to additional
costs, liabilities or negative publicity, and limit its future growth. In addition, governmental authorities may use the Company’s
products to access certain personal data of individuals without the Company’s involvement, for example, through so-called
lawful intercept capability of network infrastructure. Even a perception that the Company’s products do not adequately protect
users’ privacy or data collected by the Company, made available to the Company or stored in or through the Company’s
products, or that they are being used by third parties to access personal or consumer data, could impair the Company’s sales or
its reputation and brand value.
In addition, laws in various countries relating to the liability of providers of online services for activities of their users and other
third parties are currently being tested by a number of claims, which include actions for invasion of privacy, libel, slander, and
other tort claims, unlawful activity, copyright and trademark infringement, and other theories based on the nature and content of
the materials searched, the ads posted, or the content generated by users. Certain jurisdictions are also testing the liability of
providers of online services for activities of their users and other third parties. Any court ruling that imposes liability on
providers of online services for activities of their users and other third parties could harm the Company’s business.
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Certain governments are also imposing requirements for the filtering of content available to end users. These requirements vary
across varying jurisdictions and compliance with these requirements may be costly. Conversely, a failure to comply could result
in adverse publicity, a ban on the Company’s products and services as well as other regulatory sanctions.
An expansion of the Company’s online commercial presence may also require significant additional investment in security
measures to protect the transmission of confidential data, including payment information, and to augment protection for the
Company’s servers and network. Any failure by the Company to implement adequate measures around security of payments, or
security of confidential or personal information of the end users of the Company’s products, could result in regulatory
enforcement or potential litigation and have a detrimental impact on the BlackBerry brand and the Company’s reputation.
The Company’s business is subject to risks inherent in foreign operations, including fluctuations in foreign
currencies.
Sales outside of North America account for a significant portion of the Company’s revenue. The Company maintains offices in
a number of foreign jurisdictions and intends to continue to pursue international market growth opportunities. The Company
has limited experience conducting business in some of these jurisdictions and it may not be aware of all the factors that may
affect its business in these jurisdictions. The Company is subject to a number of risks associated with its foreign operations that
may increase liability and costs, lengthen sales cycles and require significant management attention. These risks include:
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compliance with the laws of the United States, Canada and other countries that apply to the Company’s
international operations, including import and export legislation, lawful access, privacy laws and anti-corruption
laws;
increased reliance on third parties to establish and maintain foreign operations;
complications in compliance with, and unexpected changes in, foreign regulatory requirements, including
requirements relating to content filtering and requests from law enforcement authorities;
trading and investment policies;
consumer protection laws that impose additional obligations on the Company or restrict the Company’s ability
to provide limited warranty protection;
instability in economic or political conditions, including inflation, recession and actual or anticipated military
conflicts, social upheaval or political uncertainty;
foreign exchange controls and cash repatriation restrictions (such as those recently experienced by the Company
in Venezuela and Argentina);
tariffs and other trade barriers;
increased credit risk and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;
potential adverse tax consequences;
uncertainties of laws and enforcement relating to the protection of intellectual property or secured technology;
litigation in foreign court systems;
cultural and language differences; and
difficulty in managing a geographically dispersed workforce in compliance with local laws and customs that
vary from country to country.
In addition, the Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk as a result of transactions in currencies other than its U.S. dollar
functional currency. The majority of the Company’s revenue and purchases of raw materials are denominated in U.S. dollars.
However, some revenue, a substantial portion of operating costs, including salaries and manufacturing overhead, as well as
capital expenditures, are incurred in other currencies, primarily Canadian dollars, Euros and British Pounds. If the Canadian
dollar appreciates relative to the U.S. dollar, the Company’s Canadian dollar denominated expenses will increase when
converted to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. If the Euro depreciates relative to the U.S. dollar, the Company’s
Euro denominated revenues will decrease when translated to U.S. dollars for financial reporting purposes. Foreign exchange
rate fluctuations may materially affect the Company’s results of operations in future periods. For more details, please refer to
the discussion of foreign exchange and income taxes in the Company’s MD&A for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016.
All of the above factors may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial
condition and there can be no assurance that the policies and procedures implemented by the Company to address or mitigate
these risks will be successful, that Company personnel will comply with them, or that the Company will not experience these
factors in the future.
Defects in the Company’s products and services can be difficult to detect and remedy. If defects occur, they could
have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business.
The Company’s products and services are highly complex and sophisticated and may contain design defects, errors or security
vulnerabilities that are difficult to detect and correct. Errors may be found in new products or services or improvements to
existing products or services after delivery to the Company’s customers. If these defects are discovered, the Company may not
be able to successfully correct them in a timely manner or at all. The occurrence of defects, errors or vulnerabilities in the
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Company’s products or services could result in the delay or the denial of their market acceptance and may harm the Company’s
reputation, and correcting such defects, errors or vulnerabilities could require significant expenditures by the Company. In
addition, the failure of the Company’s products or services to perform to end user expectations could give rise to product
liability and warranty claims. The consequences of any such defects, errors, vulnerabilities and claims could have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
In some cases, if design defects, errors or vulnerabilities affect a product’s safety or regulatory compliance, then such product
may need to be recalled. Depending on the nature of the defect and the number of products, the Company may be forced to
incur substantial recall costs, in addition to the costs associated with the potential loss of future orders and the damage to the
Company’s reputation. Recalls involving regulatory agencies could also result in fines and additional costs. Recalls could also
result in third-party litigation, including class action litigation by persons alleging common harm resulting from the purchase of
the Company’s products.
The Company’s business could be negatively affected as a result of actions of activist shareholders.
Publicly-traded companies have increasingly become subject to campaigns by investors seeking to advocate certain governance
changes or corporate actions such as financial restructuring, special dividends, share repurchases or even sales of assets or the
entire company. Activist shareholders have publicly advocated for certain governance and strategic changes at the Company in
the past, and the Company could be subject to additional shareholder activity or demands in the future. Given the challenges the
Company has encountered in its business in recent years, recent changes to the Company’s governance and strategic focus may
not satisfy such shareholders who may attempt to promote or effect further changes, or acquire control over the Company.
Responding to proxy contests, media campaigns and other actions by activist shareholders would be costly and time-
consuming, disrupt the Company’s operations and would divert the attention of the Board and senior management from the
pursuit of its business strategies, particularly its ability to implement its new strategic initiatives, which could adversely affect
the Company’s results of operations, financial condition and prospects. If individuals are elected to the Board with a specific
agenda to increase short-term shareholder value, it may adversely affect or undermine the Company’s ability to effectively
implement its strategic iniatiatives. Perceived uncertainties as to the Company’s future direction as a result of shareholder
activism could also result in the loss of potential business opportunities, and may make it more difficult to attract and retain
qualified personnel and business partners.
The Company may not be successful in supplementing or managing its catalogue of third-party applications.
The Company believes decisions by customers to purchase its hardware products depend in part on the availability and
compatibility of software applications and services that are developed and maintained by third-party software developers. The
Company may not be able to convince developers to develop and maintain native applications for BlackBerry 10 smartphones
without valuable incentives from the Company, or at all. The loss of, or inability to maintain these relationships may affect the
desirability of the Company’s products and, hence, the Company’s revenue from the sale of its products, particularly to
consumers. If the Company is unable to successfully manage its applications catalogue, the success of the Company’s
BlackBerry smartphones and future products and services may be materially and adversely affected.
Failure of the Company’s suppliers, subcontractors, third-party distributors and representatives to use acceptable
ethical business practices or to comply with applicable laws could negatively impact the Company’s business.
The Company expects its suppliers and subcontractors to operate in compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations
regarding working conditions, labour and employment practices, environmental compliance, anti-corruption, and patent and
trademark licensing, as detailed in the Company’s Supplier Code of Conduct. However, the Company does not directly control
their labour and other business practices. If one of the Company’s suppliers or subcontractors violates applicable labour, anti-
corruption or other laws, or implements labour or other business practices that are regarded as unethical, or if a supplier or
subcontractor fails to comply with procedures designed by the Company to adhere to existing or proposed regulations, the
shipment of finished products to the Company could be interrupted, orders could be canceled, relationships could be
terminated, the Company’s reputation could be damaged, and the Company may be subject to liability. Any of these events
could have a negative impact on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
The Company is subject to risks related to health and safety and hazardous materials usage regulations, and to
network certification risks.
The Company must comply with a variety of laws, standards and other requirements governing, among other things, health and
safety, hazardous materials usage, packaging and environmental matters, and its products must obtain regulatory approvals and
satisfy other regulatory concerns in the various jurisdictions in which they are manufactured or sold. Although the Company’s
products and solutions are designed to meet relevant safety standards and recommendations globally, when used as directed,
any perceived risk of adverse health effects of wireless communication devices could materially adversely affect the Company
through a reduction in sales. The failure to comply with regulatory requirements can subject the Company to regulatory and/or
civil liability, additional costs (including fines) and reputational harm, and in severe cases prevent it from selling its products in
certain jurisdictions.
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As a result of varying and developing regulatory requirements throughout the world, the Company faces increasingly complex
procurement and design challenges, which, among other things, require the Company to incur additional costs identifying
suppliers and contract manufacturers who can provide, and otherwise obtain, compliant materials, parts and end products and to
re-design its hardware products so that the products comply with the many requirements applicable to them. There can be no
assurance that the costs of complying with and the liabilities arising from current and future health and safety, environmental
(including climate change regulation) and other laws, standards and regulatory requirements (including legislation relating to
certain minerals that are used in the mobile communications industry) will not adversely affect the Company’s business, results
of operations or financial condition.
In addition to complying with regulatory requirements, product manufacturers must obtain certification from the networks upon
which their products operate. Failure to maintain regulatory approvals or network certifications for the Company’s current
products or a failure to obtain required regulatory approvals or network certifications for any new products on a timely basis
could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
There are costs and other burdens associated with regulations regarding conflict minerals.
In fiscal 2015, the SEC adopted new disclosure requirements implementing Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street
Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 for manufacturers of products containing certain minerals that are mined from the
Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. These so-called “conflict minerals” are commonly found in metals
used in the manufacture of certain of the Company’s products. The disclosure requirements may limit the sourcing and
availability, or may increase the costs, of some of the metals used in the manufacture of the Company’s products. The effect
may also reduce the number of suppliers who provide conflict-free metals, and may affect the Company’s ability to obtain
products in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices. Also, since the Company’s supply chain is complex, the Company may
face reputational challenges if it is unable to sufficiently verify, through its due diligence procedures, the origins for all metals
used in its products or if it discloses that it is unable to determine whether “conflict minerals” are contained in its products.
The Company may lose its foreign private issuer status in the future, which could result in significant additional
costs and expenses.
As a foreign private issuer, as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the Exchange Act, the Company is currently exempt from certain of
the provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws. For example, the U.S. proxy rules and the Section 16 reporting and “short
swing” profit rules do not apply to foreign private issuers. To be considered a foreign private issuer, a company must satisfy a
United States shareholder test (less than 50% of the voting securities of a company must be held by residents of the United
States) or a three part business contacts test. A substantial number of the outstanding voting securities of the Company are
directly or indirectly held of record by residents of the United States. If the Company loses its status as a foreign private issuer,
these regulations would apply and it would also be required to commence reporting on forms required of U.S. domestic
companies, such as Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, rather than the forms currently available to the Company, such as Forms 40-F
and 6-K. Compliance with the additional disclosure and timing requirements under these securities laws would likely result in
increased expenses and would require the Company’s management to devote substantial time and resources to comply with new
regulatory requirements. The Company would also no longer be able to utilize the significant benefits afforded by the U.S./
Canada multijurisdictional disclosure system, which generally permits eligible Canadian companies to use Canadian disclosure
documents to satisfy continuous reporting requirements in both Canada and the United States, and allows Canadian companies
to make offers and sales of securities to the public in the United States using a Canadian prospectus that is subject to review by
the principal Canadian regulator, thereby avoiding the costs and delays associated with duplicative and sometimes conflicting
regulatory requirements. In addition, the Company would not be able to benefit from certain exemptions available to foreign
private issuers that it has used in the past, including its ability to comply with the rules of the TSX in lieu of certain NASDAQ
listing requirements.
Copyright levies in numerous countries for the sale of products may negatively impact the Company’s business.
The Company faces the possibility of copyright levies from collecting societies in European and other countries for the sale of
certain BlackBerry products that might be used for the private copying of copyright protected works. The collecting societies
argue that copyright levies should apply to such products because they include audio/video recording functionality, such as an
MP3 player or storage capability, despite the fact that such products are not primarily intended to act as a recording device. If
these levies are imposed, the Company’s financial results may be negatively impacted. Furthermore, the Company may be
required to pay copyright levies on products and services used by consumers to copy or stream copyrighted works. Non-
compliance with these legal requirements could result in fines, imprisonment of local executives, and sanctions on the import
and/or use of the Company’s products or services.
Tax provision changes, the adoption of new tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities could materially
impact the Company’s financial condition.
The Company is subject to income, indirect (such as sales tax, sales and use tax and value-added tax) and other taxes in Canada
and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining its worldwide liability for income, indirect
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and other taxes, as well as potential penalties and interest. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many
transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although the Company believes that its tax
estimates are reasonable, there can be no assurance that the final determination of any tax audits will not be materially different
from that which is reflected in historical income, indirect and other tax provisions and accruals. Should additional taxes or
penalties and interest be assessed as a result of an audit, litigation or changes in tax laws, there could be a material adverse
effect on the Company’s current and future results and financial condition. In addition, there is a risk of recoverability of future
deferred tax assets.
The Company’s future effective tax rate will depend on the relative profitability of the Company’s domestic and foreign
operations, the statutory tax rates and taxation laws of the related tax jurisdictions, the tax treaties between the countries in
which the Company operates, the timing of the release, if any, of the valuation allowance, and the relative proportion of
research and development incentives to the Company’s profitability.
The market price of the Company’s common shares is volatile.
The market price of the Company’s outstanding common shares has been and continues to be volatile, due in part to uncertainty
relating to the Company’s ability to implement and realize the benefits of its ongoing strategic initiatives. The market price of
the Company’s shares may fluctuate significantly in response to the risks described elsewhere in these Risk Factors, as well as
numerous other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, including: (i) announcements by the Company or its
competitors of new products and services, acquisitions, customer wins or strategic partnerships; (ii) forward-looking financial
guidance provided by the Company, any updates to this guidance, or the Company’s failure to meet this guidance; (iii) quarterly
and annual variations in operating results, which are difficult to forecast, and the Company’s financial results not meeting the
expectations of analysts or investors; (iv) recommendations by securities analysts or changes in earnings estimates; (v) the
performance of other technology companies or the increasing market share of such companies; (vi) results of existing or
potential litigation; (vii) trading volume; or (viii) market rumours.
In addition, broad market and industry factors may decrease the market price of the Company’s common shares, regardless of
the Company’s operating performance. The stock market in general, and the securities of technology companies in particular,
have often experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations. Periods of volatility in the overall market and in the market
price of the Company’s securities may prompt securities class action litigation against the Company which, if not resolved
swiftly, can result in substantial costs and a diversion of management’s attention and resources. See also the Risk Factor
entitled “Litigation against the Company may result in adverse outcomes” and the “Legal Proceedings” section in this AIF.
Adverse economic and geopolitical conditions may negatively affect the Company.
A slowdown in capital spending by end users of the Company’s products and services, coupled with existing economic and
geopolitical uncertainties globally and in the Company’s target vertical markets, could substantially reduce the demand for the
Company’s products and services and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
Current and future conditions in the domestic and global economies remain uncertain, and it is difficult to estimate the level of
economic activity for the economy as a whole. It is even more difficult to estimate growth in various parts of the economy,
including the markets in which the Company participates. Because all components of the Company’s budgeting and forecasting
are dependent upon estimates of economic activity in the markets that the Company serves and demand for its products and
services, economic uncertainties make it difficult to estimate future income and expenditures.
Economic or geopolitical uncertainties may cause end users to reduce their IT budgets or reduce or cancel orders for the
Company’s products and services. Network carriers may further reduce device subsidies that they offer to end users or attempt
to extend the periods of contracts that obligate end users to use a certain device. Any such developments could have a material
adverse impact on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, acts of terrorism and the outbreak of hostilities and armed conflicts within or between countries have created and
may continue to create uncertainties that may affect the global economy and could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
A significant portion of the Company’s assets are held in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term or long-term
investments, all of which are subject to market and credit risk.
The Company had total cash, cash equivalents and investments of $2.6 billion as at February 29, 2016, compared to $3.3 billion
as at February 28, 2015. Cash equivalents, short term and other investments are invested primarily in debt securities of varying
maturities. Consequently, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk and its results of operations may be adversely affected by
changes in interest rates. The fair value of short term and other investments, as well as the investment income derived from the
investment portfolio, will fluctuate with changes in prevailing interest rates.
Additionally, the Company is exposed to credit risk on its investment portfolio. While the Company’s investment policies
include investing in liquid, investment-grade securities and limiting investments in any single issuer, there can be no assurance
that such investment policies will reduce or eliminate market or credit risks. See “Market Risk of Financial Instruments” in the
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Company’s MD&A for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 for a discussion of credit risk related to the Company’s
investment portfolio.
The Company expects its quarterly revenue and operating results to fluctuate.
The Company’s profit margins vary across its products and distribution channels. Gross margins on the Company’s products
vary across product lines and can change over time as a result of product transitions, pricing and configuration changes, and
component, warranty, and other cost fluctuations. In addition, the Company’s gross margin and operating margin percentages,
as well as overall profitability, may be materially adversely impacted as a result of a shift in product, geographic or channel
mix, component cost increases, price competition, or the introduction of new products, including those that have higher cost
structures with flat or reduced pricing.
New product introductions can significantly impact net sales, product costs and operating expenses. The Company could also
be subject to unexpected developments late in a quarter, such as lower-than-anticipated demand for the Company’s products,
issues with new product introductions, an internal systems failure, or failure of one of the Company’s logistics, components
supply, or manufacturing partners.
Future issuances of common shares by the Company, including upon any conversion of the Debentures, will be
dilutive to existing shareholders.
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of voting common shares, an unlimited number of non-voting Class A
common shares and an unlimited number of preferred shares issuable in series on terms and conditions established by the
Board, generally without the approval of shareholders. Existing shareholders have no pre-emptive rights in connection with
such further issues. During fiscal 2014, the Company issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of Debentures, which
may be converted at the holders’ option for up to 125,000,000 common shares (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).
If the Debentures were converted in full as at February 29, 2016, the common shares issued would represent approximately
19.3% of the Company’s then outstanding common shares. Subject to TSX and NASDAQ rules requiring shareholder
approval, the Company may make future acquisitions or enter into financings or other transactions involving the issuance of
common shares or securities convertible into common shares, which may be dilutive to existing shareholders. Sales or
issuances of substantial numbers of common shares, or the perception that such sales could occur, may adversely affect
prevailing market pricing for the Company’s common shares.
There could be adverse tax consequences for the Company’s shareholders in the United States if the Company is or
was a passive foreign investment company.
Under U.S. federal income tax laws, if a company is, or for any past period was, a passive foreign investment company
(“PFIC”), there could be adverse U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. shareholders even if the Company is no longer a
PFIC. The determination of whether the Company is a PFIC is a factual determination made annually based on various facts
and circumstances and thus is subject to change, and the principles and methodology used in determining whether a company is
a PFIC are subject to interpretation. While the Company does not believe that it is currently or has been a PFIC, there can be no
assurance that the Company was not a PFIC in the past and will not be a PFIC in the future. U.S. shareholders are urged to
consult their tax advisors concerning U.S. federal income tax consequences of holding the Company’s common shares if the
Company is or has been considered a PFIC.
DIVIDEND POLICY AND RECORD
The Company has not paid any cash dividends on its common shares during the last three fiscal years. The Company will
consider paying dividends on its common shares in the future when circumstances permit, having regard to, among other
things, the Company’s earnings, cash flows and financial requirements, as well as relevant legal and business considerations.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STRUCTURE
The Company’s authorized share capital consists of an unlimited number of voting common shares without par value, an
unlimited number of non-voting, redeemable, retractable class A common shares without par value, and an unlimited number of
non-voting, cumulative, redeemable, retractable preferred shares without par value, issuable in series. Only common shares are
issued and outstanding.
Common Shares
Each common share is entitled to one vote at meetings of the shareholders and to receive dividends if, as and when declared by
the Board. Dividends which the Board determines to declare and pay shall be declared and paid in equal amounts per share on
the common shares and class A common shares at the time outstanding without preference or distinction. Subject to the rights
of holders of shares of any class of share ranking prior to the common shares and class A common shares, holders of common
shares and class A common shares are entitled to receive the Company’s remaining assets ratably on a per share basis without
preference or distinction in the event that it is liquidated, dissolved or wound-up.
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Class A Common Shares
The holders of class A common shares are not entitled to receive notice of, or attend or vote at, any meeting of the Company’s
shareholders, except as provided by applicable law. Each such holder is entitled to receive notice of, and to attend, any
meetings of shareholders called for the purpose of authorizing the dissolution or the sale, lease or exchange of all or
substantially all of the Company’s property other than in the ordinary course of business and, at any such meeting, shall be
entitled to one vote in respect of each class A common share on any resolution to approve such dissolution, sale, lease or
exchange. Dividends are to be declared and paid in equal amounts per share on all the common shares and the class A common
shares without preference or distinction. Subject to the rights of holders of any class of share ranking prior to the common
shares and class A common shares, in the event that the Company is liquidated, dissolved or wound-up, holders of common
shares and class A common shares are entitled to receive the remaining assets ratably on a per share basis without preference or
distinction.
The Company authorized for issuance the class A common shares when the Company was a private company to permit
employees to participate in equity ownership. Class A common shares previously issued by the Company to such employees
were converted on a one-for-one basis into common shares in December 1996. At this time, the Company has no plans to issue
further class A common shares.
Preferred Shares
The holders of preferred shares are not entitled to receive notice of, or to attend or vote at, any meeting of the Company’s
shareholders, except as provided by applicable law. Preferred shares may be issued in one or more series and, with respect to
the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets in the event that the Company is liquidated, dissolved or wound-up,
rank prior to the common shares and the class A common shares. The Board has the authority to issue series of preferred shares
and determine the price, number, designation, rights, privileges, restrictions and conditions, including dividend rights, of each
series without any further vote or action by shareholders. The holders of preferred shares do not have pre-emptive rights to
subscribe to any issue of the Company’s securities. At this time there are no preferred shares outstanding and the Company has
no plans to issue any preferred shares.
Convertible Debentures
The following is a summary of the material attributes and characteristics of the Debentures. This summary does not purport to
be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the terms of the Indenture (as defined below). Reference is made
to the Indenture, which has been filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and with the SEC at www.sec.gov, for complete
descriptions of the Debentures.
General
The Debentures are direct, unsecured debt obligations of the Company and are issued under an indenture (the “Trust
Indenture”) dated as of November 13, 2013 between the Company, as issuer, BlackBerry Corporation, BlackBerry UK Limited,
BlackBerry Finance, LLC and BlackBerry Singapore Pte. Limited, as guarantors (collectively, the “Guarantors”) and
Computershare Trust Company of Canada, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by a supplemental indenture dated as of
December 12, 2013 between the same parties (the “First Supplemental Indenture”) and a second supplemental indenture dated
as of April 30, 2014 between the same parties (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”, and together with the First Supplemental
Indenture and the Trust Indenture, the “Indenture”). The Debentures are limited in the aggregate principal amount of
$1,250,000,000.
The Debentures have a maturity date of November 13, 2020 (the “Maturity Date”), subject to the prior conversion, redemption
or payment thereof as provided by the Indenture.
Each of the Guarantors has separately guaranteed the payment of principal, premium (if any) and interest and other amounts
due under the Debentures, and the performance of all other obligations of the Company under the Indenture (the “Guarantees”).
Other significant subsidiaries of the Company may be required to provide such Guarantees where they satisfy certain financial
tests.
Interest
The Debentures bear interest at a rate of 6% per annum, payable in equal quarterly instalments in arrears on the last day of
February, May, August and November of each year. If an Event of Default (as defined below) has occurred and is continuing,
the Debentures will bear interest at a rate of 10% per annum during the period of the default.
Subordination
The Debentures rank pari passu with one another, in accordance with their tenor without discrimination, preference or priority
and, subject to statutory preferred exceptions, shall rank equally with all other present and future unsubordinated unsecured
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Indebtedness (as defined below) of the Company, other than the Specified Senior Indebtedness (as defined below) of the
Company and the Guarantors. No payments shall be made on account of the Debentures during any default of payment when
due of any principal, interest or other amount owing with respect to Specified Senior Indebtedness, unless such Specified
Senior Indebtedness shall first have been paid in full or provided for. The Trustee, on behalf of the holders of Debentures (the
“Holders”), may from time to time enter into subordination agreements with Senior Creditors (as defined below) to reflect the
relative priorities of the Holders and such Senior Creditors.
Conversion Privilege
Each Holder shall have the right at its option to convert each $1,000 principal amount of its Debentures into common shares at
any time prior to the third business day prior to the Maturity Date. Common shares will be issued based on a conversion price
of $10.00 principal amount of Debentures per share (the “Conversion Price”), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
Redemption Right
The Debentures will not be redeemable prior to November 13, 2016. On or after November 13, 2016, but prior to
November 13, 2017, the Debentures will be redeemable at the Company’s sole option, on not more than 60 days’ and not less
than 40 days’ prior written notice, in whole or in part, at a price equal to 104% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
and unpaid interest. The percentage of principal amount at which the Debentures may be redeemed will decrease by 1% for
each successive one year period thereafter to the Maturity Date.
Change of Control
If a change of control of the Company occurs involving: (i) the acquisition by any person or groups of persons acting jointly or
in concert, directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or a series of related transactions, of voting control or direction over
more than 35% of the then-outstanding common shares; (ii) the acquisition by any person (other than the Company or any of
the Guarantors) or one or more members of a group of persons acting jointly or in concert (other than a group consisting solely
of two or more of the Company and any of the Guarantors), directly or indirectly, in a single transaction or a series of related
transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or (iii) the completion
of a merger, amalgamation, arrangement or similar transaction which results in holders of the Company’s common shares
immediately prior to the completion of the transaction holding less than 50% of the then outstanding common shares of the
resulting entity after the completion of the transaction (a “Change of Control”), the Company is required to make an offer (a
“Repayment Offer”) to purchase all or, at the option of the Holders, a portion (in integral multiples of $1,000) of the principal
amount of the Debentures held by such Holders, at a price equal to 115% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and
unpaid interest, if any, to but excluding the Change of Control Repurchase Date (as defined in the Indenture) (the “Change of
Control Repurchase Price”). The Company is not required to make that Repayment Offer to Fairfax or its affiliates, or any of
their joint actors, if they caused such a Change of Control. Any Debentures so repurchased will be cancelled and may not be
reissued or resold.
Certain Covenants
The Company is bound by certain covenants under the Indenture. Positive covenants include: (i) payment of the Trustee’s
remuneration; (ii) maintenance of corporate existence and books of account; and (iii) payment of principal, premium (if any)
and interest on the Debentures when due and payable. Reporting covenants include: (i) provision of an annual compliance
certificate regarding compliance with the terms of the Indenture and confirming that no Events of Default have occurred under
the Indenture; (ii) provision of notice of an Event of Default or any event which, with the passing of time or giving of notice,
would constitute an Event of Default; and (iii) provision of public disclosure documents to the Trustee or Holders in certain
circumstances. Subject to customary exceptions, negative covenants include: (i) no liens on assets of the Company or its
subsidiaries, except Permitted Liens (as defined in the Indenture, which include customary liens arising by operation of law,
liens securing Specified Senior Indebtedness, Purchase Money Security Interests (as defined below) securing permitted
Indebtedness, liens on real property incurred in connection with a sale and leaseback of permitted Indebtedness, and any other
lien not prohibited by the Company’s asset-backed lending facility (now terminated), subject to compliance with restrictions on
incurring Indebtedness); (ii) a limitation on amalgamations and mergers except in compliance with customary successor entity
provisions; and (iii) a limitation on dividends, dividend increases and speculative hedging transactions.
The Company and its subsidiaries are restricted, without consent of Holders of 66-2/3% of the outstanding Debentures, from
incurring any indebtedness or permitting any indebtedness to be outstanding, other than:
(a)
(b)
(c)
the Debentures and the Guarantees;
Specified Senior Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed
$550,000,000;
Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $450,000,000,
comprised of:
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(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)
Indebtedness secured by a Purchase Money Security Interest including Capital Leases (as defined
below);
Indebtedness incurred in connection with a sale and leaseback of real property;
Indebtedness incurred under a securitization or factoring of receivables;
Indebtedness of any subsidiary acquired by the Company or its subsidiaries that existed prior to such
acquisition and not incurred in contemplation of such acquisition;
Indebtedness incurred to finance insurance premiums;
other Indebtedness (other than Specified Senior Indebtedness) provided that such Indebtedness shall
be unsecured; or
Indebtedness incurred to refinance any Indebtedness referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) above.
Events of Default
The Indenture provides for such events of default as are customary for indebtedness of this type (each, an “Event of Default”)
including: (i) a default in payment of any principal amount, purchase price or any Change of Control Repurchase Price when
due; (ii) a default in payment of interest on any Debentures when due and the continuance of such default for 10 days; (iii) a
default in maintaining the Company’s reporting issuer status or the listing of the common shares, or in providing an opinion in
respect of new Guarantors, and the continuance of such default for five business days; (iv) a default in the delivery of common
shares or cash due upon conversion of Debentures, and the continuance of such default for three business days; (v) a default by
the Company or any Guarantor in performing or observing any of the other covenants, agreements or material obligations of
the Company or the Guarantor under the Indenture, and the continuance of such default for 30 days after written notice to the
Company by the Trustee or by the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of outstanding Debentures requiring the
same to be remedied; (vi) the failure to make a Repayment Offer following the occurrence of a Change of Control; (vii) certain
events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to the Company or any Guarantor; (viii) any of the Guarantees being held in
any judicial proceeding to be unenforceable or invalid or ceasing for any reason to be in full force and effect or any Guarantor,
or any person acting on behalf of a Guarantor, denying or disaffirming its obligations under its Guarantee; (ix) (A) if the
Company or any Guarantor is in default (as principal or as guarantor or other surety) in the payment of any principal of or
premium or make-whole amount on any Indebtedness that is outstanding in an aggregate principal amount of more than
$50,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment) beyond any period of grace provided with respect thereto,
or (B) if the Company or any Guarantor is in default in the performance of or compliance with any term of any evidence of any
Indebtedness in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of more than $50,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency
of payment) or of any mortgage, indenture or other agreement relating thereto or any other condition exists, and in each case as
a consequence of such default or condition such Indebtedness has become or has been declared due and payable before its
stated maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment, or (C) as a consequence of the occurrence or continuation of
any event or condition (other than (a) the passage of time or (b) the right of the holder of Indebtedness to convert such
Indebtedness into equity interests or (c) any mandatory prepayment provisions in an agreement governing Indebtedness unless
such provisions also require the permanent prepayment of all Indebtedness then outstanding and, if applicable, the permanent
cancellation of all other amounts available to be borrowed under such agreement), the Company or any Guarantor has become
obligated to purchase or repay Indebtedness (including any Specified Senior Indebtedness but excluding the Debentures) before
its regular maturity or before its regularly scheduled dates of payment in an aggregate outstanding principal amount of more
than $50,000,000 (or its equivalent in the relevant currency of payment); and (x) if the Company or any of its subsidiaries fails
to pay final judgments aggregating in excess of an amount greater than $50,000,000 in cash (net of any amounts for which an
insurance company is liable) rendered against the Company or any of its subsidiaries by a court of competent jurisdiction,
which judgments are not paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 30 days after such judgments become final and non-
appealable.
If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing (other than an Event of Default due to an event of bankruptcy or
insolvency), the Trustee may, in its discretion, and shall, at the written request of Holders of not less than 25% of the aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding, declare the principal of (and premium, if any), together with accrued
interest on all outstanding Debentures to be immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default due to an event of bankruptcy
or insolvency occurs, the principal of (and premium, if any), together with accrued interest on all outstanding Debentures will
immediately become due and payable without any action on the part of the Trustee or any Holders of Debentures. The Holders
of more than 66-2/3% of the principal amount of outstanding Debentures may, on behalf of the Holders of all outstanding
Debentures, waive an Event of Default in the manner set forth below under “Modification or Waiver”.
Modification or Waiver
The rights of the Holders may be modified or waived in accordance with the terms of the Indenture. For that purpose, among
others, the Indenture contains certain provisions which will make binding on all Holders resolutions passed at meetings of the
Holders (which may be called by the Company or the Trustee upon not less than 21 days’ notice) by votes cast thereat by
Holders of not less than 66-2/3% including waivers for certain events of default, or in the case of Extraordinary Resolutions (as
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defined in the Indenture) and waivers of certain defaults in payment or delivery of shares not less than 90%, of the aggregate
principal amount of the Debentures present at the meeting or represented by proxy, provided that a quorum for all meetings of
Holders of Debentures will be at least 25% of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Debentures represented in person
or by proxy, or rendered by instruments in writing signed by the Holders of not less than 66-2/3%, or in the case of
Extraordinary Resolutions not less than 90%, of the aggregate principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding. In
addition, without the approval of Holders by Extraordinary Resolution, the Indenture may not be amended to: (i) alter the
manner of calculation of or rate of accrual of interest on the Debentures or change the time of payment; (ii) make the
Debentures convertible into securities other than common shares; (iii) change the Maturity Date or any instalment of interest on
the Debentures; (iv) reduce the principal amount or Change of Control Repurchase Price with respect to the Debentures;
(v) make any change that adversely affects the rights of Holders to require the Company to purchase the Debentures at the
option of Holders; (vi) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of payments or the conversion of the Debentures;
(vii) change the currency of payment of principal of, or interest on, the Debentures; (viii) except as contemplated by the
Indenture, change the Conversion Price or otherwise adversely affect the Holders’ conversion rights; (ix) release any of the
Guarantors from any of their obligations under a Guarantee provided for in the Indenture, except in accordance with the
Indenture; or (x) change the provisions in the Indenture that relate to modifying or amending the Indenture.
Defined Terms
In the foregoing summary, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:
“Capital Lease” means, with respect to any Person (as defined in the Indenture), any lease of any property (whether real,
personal or mixed) by such Person as lessee that, in accordance with U.S. GAAP (as in effect on the date of the Indenture), is
required to be classified and accounted for as a capital lease on a balance sheet of such Person;
“Indebtedness” means, with respect to a person, and without duplication:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
indebtedness of such person for monies borrowed or raised, including any indebtedness represented by a
note, bond, debenture or other similar instrument of such person;
reimbursement obligations of such person arising from bankers’ acceptance, letters of credit or letters of
guarantee or similar instruments;
indebtedness of such person for the deferred purchase price of property or services, other than for
consumable non-capital goods and services purchased in the ordinary course of business, including arising
under any conditional sale or title retention agreement, but excluding for greater certainty ordinary course
accounts payable;
obligations of such person under or in respect of Capital Leases, synthetic leases, Purchase Money Security
Interests or sale and leaseback transactions;
the aggregate amount at which shares in the capital of such person that are redeemable at fixed dates or
intervals or at the option of the holder thereof may be redeemed; and
guarantees or liens granted by such person in respect of Indebtedness of another person;
“Purchase Money Security Interest” means a lien created or incurred by the Company or one of its subsidiaries securing
Indebtedness incurred to finance the acquisition of property (including the cost of installation thereof), provided that (i) such
lien is created substantially simultaneously with the acquisition of such property, (ii) such lien does not at any time encumber
any property other than the property financed by such Indebtedness, (iii) the amount of Indebtedness secured thereby is not
increased subsequent to such acquisition, and (iv) the principal amount of Indebtedness secured by any such lien at no time
exceeds 100% of the original purchase price of such property and the cost of installation thereof, and for the purposes of this
definition the term “acquisition” includes a Capital Lease;
“Senior Creditor” means a holder or holders of Specified Senior Indebtedness and includes any representative or
representatives or trustee or trustees of any such holder or holders; and
“Specified Senior Indebtedness” means, without duplication, the Indebtedness under the Company’s asset-backed lending
facility (now terminated) and such other indebtedness as the Company shall designate as “Specified Senior Indebtedness” by
notice to the Trustee in writing; provided that the aggregate principal amount of Specified Senior Indebtedness shall not exceed
$550,000,000 at any one time outstanding; provided, further, that all Specified Senior Indebtedness must constitute:
(a)
(b)
(c)
Indebtedness referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) of the definition of Indebtedness above;
renewals, extensions, restructurings, refinancings and refundings of any such Indebtedness; and
guarantees of any of the foregoing.
MARKET FOR SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY
The Company’s common shares are listed and posted for trading on the TSX under the symbol “BB” and are listed on
NASDAQ under the symbol “BBRY”. The volume of trading and price ranges of the Company’s common shares on the TSX
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and NASDAQ during the previous fiscal year are set out in the following table:
Month
March 2015
April 2015
May 2015
June 2015
July 2015
August 2015
September 2015
October 2015
November 2015
December 2015
January 2016
February 2016
Common Shares – TSX
Common Shares – NASDAQ
Price Range
(CDN $)
Average Daily
Volume
Price Range
(US $)
Average Daily
Volume
$10.93-$14.23
2,517,597
$8.59-$11.45
12,206,405
$11.17-$12.67
1,464,493
$8.85-$10.46
$11.68-$13.28
1,668,164
$9.71-$11.09
$10.01-$12.40
1,796,345
$8.04-$9.94
$9.30-$10.56
$8.56-$10.28
$8.02-$10.35
$7.99-$9.94
$9.50-$10.95
$9.86-$13.12
$9.21-$12.86
$8.94-$10.67
1,402,794
$7.15-$8.28
1,256,211
$6.41-$7.81
1,789,418
$5.96-$7.82
1,321,034
$6.03-$7.56
1,353,999
$7.15-$8.25
2,393,709
$7.28-$9.46
2,473,962
$6.33-$9.22
1,660,080
$6.39-$7.89
7,126,611
7,962,857
9,887,489
8,208,593
6,103,417
7,677,283
5,389,311
6,500,604
9,490,353
9,150,024
4,816,563
In addition, the Debentures have been listed on the TSX since May 2014, under the symbol “BB.DB.U”. There is limited
trading in the Debentures. During fiscal 2016, an aggregate of $68,866,135 principal amount of Debentures was traded on only
seven days on the TSX, at prices ranging from $115.00 to $125.50.
NORMAL COURSE ISSUER BID
Pursuant to a Notice of Intention to Make a Normal Course Issuer Bid dated June 25, 2015, the Company commenced a normal
course issuer bid (“NCIB”) to purchase up to 12 million common shares of the Company, representing approximately 2.5% of
the public float of common shares outstanding as of June 22, 2015. The purpose of the NCIB is to offset dilution from the
Company’s employee share purchase plan and an amendment to the Company’s equity incentive plan increasing the number of
shares available thereunder, both as approved by the shareholders of the Company on June 23, 2015.
Daily purchases are limited to 578,619 common shares, other than block purchases. The NCIB commenced on June 29, 2015
and will terminate on June 28, 2016 or on such earlier date as the Company may complete its purchases under the NCIB.
On September 24, 2015, the Board authorized an increase in the number of common shares that may be purchased for
cancellation under the NCIB by up to 15 million common shares, subject to regulatory approval. On January 29, 2016 the
Company sought and received regulatory approval from the TSX to increase the maximum number of common shares that may
be repurchased from 12 million common shares to 27 million common shares, or 5.8% of the public float as of June 22, 2015.
The Company also announced that it had entered into an automatic purchase plan with its designated broker to allow for
purchases of up to 2,685,524 common shares in connection with the NCIB.
During the year ended February 29, 2016, the Company repurchased 12,606,978 million common shares at a cost of
approximately $93 million. All common shares repurchased by the Company pursuant to the NCIB have been canceled.
The actual number of shares to be purchased and the timing and pricing of any additional purchases under the NCIB will
depend on future market conditions and upon potential alternative uses for cash resources. There is no assurance that any
additional shares will be purchased under the NCIB and the Company may elect to modify, suspend or discontinue the program
at any time without prior notice.
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
As at the date hereof, the Company currently has a Board comprised of eight persons. Pursuant to a special resolution of
shareholders, the directors are authorized from time to time to increase the size of the Board and to fix the number of directors,
up to the maximum of 15 persons, as currently provided under the articles of the Company, without the prior consent of the
shareholders.
The Board has determined that each member of the Board except Mr. Chen is “independent” under the NASDAQ rules and
applicable securities law requirements.
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At the Company’s last annual and special meeting of shareholders held on June 23, 2015, Claudia Kotchka did not stand for re-
election to the Board. On June 23, 2015, the Company appointed Dr. Laurie Smaldone Alsup, M.D., President and Chief
Scientific Officer of PharmApprove, to the Board, and on October 13, 2015, appointed The Honourable Wayne G. Wouters, PC,
to the Board.
The Company also made the following executive officer appointment during fiscal 2016: Carl Wiese as President of Global
Sales of the Company.
The following table sets forth the name, province or state, and country of residence of each director and executive officer of the
Company and their respective positions and offices held with the Company and their principal occupations during the last five
years. Each director is elected at the annual meeting of shareholders to serve until the next annual meeting or until a successor
is elected or appointed.
Name and Residence
John S. Chen
California, USA
Michael Daniels(1)
Virginia, USA
Timothy Dattels(2)
California, USA
Richard Lynch(1)
Pennsylvania, USA
Current Position with
Company
Chief Executive
Officer; Executive
Chair/Director (since
2013)
Director (since 2014)
Principal Occupation During the Last Five Years (other than Current
Position with Company)
Chief Executive Officer, President and Chairman, Sybase Inc.
(1998 to 2012)
Chairman, Logistics Management Institute (2011 to present);
Chairman, Invincea Inc. (2011 to present); and Chairman,
Globallogic (2007 to 2013)
Director (since 2012)
Senior Partner, TPG Capital LP (currently and since prior to
2011)
Director (since 2013)
President, FB Associates, LLC (currently); Executive Vice
President, Strategic Technology Initiatives, Verizon
Communications Inc. (2010 to 2011)
Laurie Smaldone Alsup(2)
New Jersey, USA
Director (since June
2015)
Chief Operating Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, NDA
Group AB (since March 2016); President and Chief Scientific
Officer, PharmApprove (August 2011 to March 2016)
Barbara Stymiest, FCPA, FCA(1)(2)
Ontario, Canada
Director (since 2007)
Corporate Director (currently); member of the Group
Executive, Royal Bank of Canada (2004 to 2011)
V. Prem Watsa(1)
Ontario, Canada
Wayne Wouters(2)
Ontario, Canada
Marty Beard
California, USA
Lead Director (since
November 2013)(3)
Director (since
October 2015)
Chief Operating
Officer
Sandeep Chennakeshu
Texas, USA
President, BlackBerry
Technology Solutions
Sai Yuen (Billy) Ho
California, USA
Ron Louks
North Carolina, USA
Executive Vice
President, Enterprise
Products and Value
Added Solutions
Chief Executive Officer, Fairfax (currently and since 1985)
Strategic and Policy Advisor, McCarthy Tétrault LLP
(currently and since May 2015); Clerk of the Privy Council of
Canada (2009 to 2014)
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of LiveOps Inc. (July
2011 to June 2014); President, Sybase 365 (November 2006 to
June 2011)
President, PMP LLC (2012 to December 2014); Owner, RSI
Consulting LLC (2013 to August 2014); Senior Advisor to
CEO of Sony Corporation of America (May 2010 to July
2012)
Retired (2013); Senior Vice President & General Manager,
Sybase Inc. (2009 to 2012)
President, Devices and
Emerging Solutions
Chief Executive Officer, The Open NMS Group Inc. (2013);
Chief Executive Officer, Plus 1, LLC (2012 to 2013); Chief
Strategy Officer, HTC Corporation (2010 to 2011)
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James S. Mackey
Pennsylvania, USA
Nita White-Ivy
California, USA
Executive Vice
President, Executive
Operations
SVP, Corporate Development and Corporate Strategy, Open
Text, Inc. (from 2012 to 2013); SVP (and previously, VP),
Corporate Development, SAP AG (from 2004 to 2012)
Executive Vice
President, Human
Resources
Chief People Officer, SuccessFactors (an SAP company)
(from December 2012 to December 2013); Vice President,
Worldwide Human Resources, Sybase, Inc./SAP (from
January 1998 to December 2012)
Carl Wiese
Texas, USA
President, Global
Sales
Senior Vice President, Global Collaboration Sales, Cisco
Systems (August 2009 to January 2015)
James Yersh
Ontario, Canada
Chief Financial
Officer
Senior Vice President and Controller, BlackBerry (2008 to
November 2013)
Steve Zipperstein
California, USA
Chief Legal Officer &
Corporate Secretary
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary,
Verizon Wireless (2003 to 2011)
Notes:
1 Member of the Compensation, Nomination and Governance Committee (Chair - V. Prem Watsa).
2 Member of the Audit and Risk Management Committee (Chair - Barbara Stymiest).
3 Mr. Watsa first joined the Company as a director in January 2012, but then resigned on August 13, 2013 in connection
with the formation of the Special Committee to explore strategic alternatives and rejoined the Company as a director
in November 2013. See “General Development of the Business - Fiscal 2014”.
As at February 29, 2016, the above directors and executive officers of the Company beneficially owned, or controlled or
directed, directly or indirectly, 1,009,054 common shares of the Company representing approximately 0.19% of the issued and
outstanding common shares of the Company. In addition, as of such date, Fairfax and certain of its wholly-owned or controlled
subsidiaries beneficially owned approximately 46,724,700 common shares of the Company (the “Fairfax Shares”) representing
approximately 8.97% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company, or 96,724,700 common shares of the
Company representing approximately 16.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company assuming
conversion of all of its Debentures and after giving effect to the conversion. Mr. Watsa, a director of the Company, is the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Fairfax and may be deemed under applicable U.S. securities laws to beneficially own
the Fairfax Shares by virtue of his position at Fairfax.
The Board has two active standing committees: an Audit and Risk Management Committee and a Compensation Nomination
and Governance Committee, the members of which are noted above.
Cease Trade Orders, Bankruptcies, Penalties or Sanctions
Other than set out below, none of the directors or executive officers is, as at the date of this AIF, or was within 10 years before
the date of the AIF, a director or chief executive officer or chief financial officer of any company (including the Company) that:
a)
b)
was subject to an order (as defined in National Instrument 51-102F2 of the Canadian Securities Administrators)
that was issued while the director or executive officer was acting in the capacity as director, chief executive
officer or chief financial officer; or
was subject to an order that was issued after the director or executive officer ceased to be a director, chief
executive officer, or chief financial officer, and which resulted from an event that occurred while that person
was acting in the capacity as a director, chief executive officer, or chief financial officer.
Other than as set out below, none of the directors, executive officers or a shareholder holding a sufficient number of securities
of the Company to affect materially the control of the Company,
a)
is, at the date of this AIF, or has been within 10 years before the date of this AIF, a director or executive officer
of any company (including the Company) that, while that person was acting in that capacity, or within a year of
that person ceasing to act in that capacity, became bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to
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bankruptcy or insolvency or was subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with
creditors or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold its assets; or
b)
has, within the 10 years before this AIF, become bankrupt, made a proposal under any legislation relating to
bankruptcy or insolvency, or become subject to or instituted any proceedings, arrangement or compromise with
creditors, or had a receiver, receiver manager or trustee appointed to hold the assets of the director, executive
officer or shareholder.
On November 7, 2006, as a result of the Company failing to file its second quarter financial statements for fiscal 2007 before
the statutory filing deadline of October 17, 2006, a management cease trade order (the “MCTO”) was issued by the Ontario
Securities Commission (the “OSC”) that applied to certain of the Company’s senior officers and other insiders of the Company
at that time, including Ms. Stymiest. The MCTO prohibited trading in the Company’s securities by its senior officers, directors
and certain insiders during the time that the MCTO was in effect. The MCTO was revoked on May 23, 2007 after the required
securities filings were made by the Company with the OSC.
On July 17, 2009, Luna Innovations Inc. (“Luna”) filed a voluntary petition for relief to reorganize under Chapter 11 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code , including a proposed plan of reorganization with the United States Bankruptcy Court for the
Western District of Virginia (the “Bankruptcy Court”). On January 12, 2010, the Bankruptcy Court approved the plan and Luna
emerged from bankruptcy on that date. Mr. Daniels was a member of the board of Luna from June 2007 until his resignation
on July 16, 2009.
On November 21, 2013, TranSwitch Corporation (“TranSwitch”) filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the
United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Connecticut. Mr. Lynch was a
member of the board of directors of TranSwitch from November 2010 and the chairman of the board from July 2012, until
termination of the board on the date of the bankruptcy filing when a trustee was appointed.
On December 28, 2015, Kalobios Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (“Kalobios”) filed a voluntary petition for protection under Chapter 11
of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. Dr. Smaldone Alsup
was a member of the board of directors of Kalobios from October 2013 until her resignation on November 19, 2015.
Conflicts of Interest
There is no existing or, to the Company’s knowledge, potential material conflict of interest between the Company or a
subsidiary of the Company and any director or officer of the Company or a subsidiary of the Company. See also “Interest of
Management and Others in Material Transactions” in this AIF.
AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
The Audit and Risk Management Committee’s purpose is to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary
obligations with respect to matters involving the accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control, and legal
compliance and risk management functions of the Company and its subsidiaries. It is the objective of the Audit and Risk
Management Committee to maintain free and open means of communications among the Board, the independent auditors and
the financial and senior management of the Company. The full text of the Audit and Risk Management Committee’s Charter is
included as Appendix A to this AIF.
Applicable securities laws require that, subject to certain exceptions, all members of the Audit and Risk Management
Committee be “independent” under Sections 1.4 and 1.5 of National Instrument 52-110 of the Canadian Securities
Administrators - Audit Committees and the rules and regulations of NASDAQ, and “financially literate”, meaning that the
committee member has the ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of
complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to those issues reasonably expected to be raised by the
Company’s financial statements. Ms. Stymiest (Chair), Mr. Dattels, Dr. Smaldone Alsup and Mr. Wouters are the members of
the Audit and Risk Management Committee, and each is an independent director of the Company and financially literate, based
on his or her education and experience as described below. The Audit and Risk Management Committee has also developed, in
conjunction with the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and other accounting personnel and representatives of the Company’s
external auditors, an orientation and continuing education program that will provide the new members of the Audit and Risk
Management Committee with additional information and understanding about the accounting and financial presentation issues
underlying the Company’s financial statements.
The members of the Audit and Risk Management Committee bring significant skill and experience to their responsibilities
including professional experience in accounting, business, management and governance, and finance. The specific education
and experience of each member that is relevant to the performance of his or her responsibilities as such member of the Audit
and Risk Management Committee are set out below:
Barbara Stymiest, FCPA, FCA (Chair) – Ms. Stymiest has an HBA from the Richard Ivey School of Business, University of
Western Ontario and an FCA from the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario. From 2004 to 2011, Ms. Stymiest held
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various senior management positions in the Royal Bank of Canada and served as a member of the Group Executive responsible
for the overall strategic direction of the company. Prior to this, Ms. Stymiest held positions as Chief Executive Officer at TMX
Group Inc., Executive Vice-President & CFO at BMO Capital Markets and Partner of Ernst & Young LLP. Ms. Stymiest is
currently a Director of George Weston Limited, Sun Life Financial Inc., University Health Network and the Canadian Institute
for Advanced Research.
Timothy Dattels – Mr. Dattels has an MBA from Harvard Business School and is a Senior Partner of TPG Capital. Prior to
joining TPG, Mr. Dattels served as a partner and Managing Director of Goldman Sachs and was head of Investment Banking
for all Asian countries other than Japan. Through these roles, Mr. Dattels has gained extensive experience with financial
analysis, financial advisory, analytics for mergers and acquisitions, public valuations, and financial valuation.
Dr. Laurie Smaldone Alsup – Dr. Smaldone Alsup has an MD from Yale University, where she completed her residency in
Internal Medicine and fellowship in Medical Oncology. She is Chief Operating Officer and Chief Scientific Officer of NDA
Group AB (which recently merged with PharmApprove where Dr. Smaldone Alsup was President and Chief Scientific Officer),
a leading drug development consulting company. She previously served in clinical and regulatory roles of increasing
responsibility and scope while at Bristol Myers Squibb, including Senior Vice President of Global Regulatory Science. In
addition, she served as CEO of Phytomedics, an early stage biopharmaceutical company focused on arthritis and inflammation.
Dr. Smaldone Alsup has extensive risk management and executive leadership experience.
The Hon. Wayne Wouters – Mr. Wouters has a BComm (Honours) from the University of Saskatchewan and an MA in
economics from Queen’s University. From 2009 to 2014, Mr. Wouters was the Clerk of the Privy Council of Canada and held
the roles of Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister, Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Public Service. Prior to his tenure
as Clerk, Mr. Wouters was Secretary of the Treasury Board of Canada and served in deputy ministerial and other senior
positions in the Canadian public service. He is currently Strategic and Policy Advisor to McCarthy Tétrault LLP and serves as
a member of the Board of Trustees of United Way Worldwide. Mr. Wouters has extensive experience with economic policy and
international trade matters, which included oversight of multi-billion dollar budgets on behalf of the Government of Canada.
The Board has also determined that Ms. Stymiest is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of General
Instruction B(8)(a) of Form 40-F under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The SEC has indicated that the
designation of a person as an audit committee financial expert does not make such person an “expert” for any purpose, impose
any duties, obligations or liability on such person that are greater than those imposed on members of the Audit Committee and
the Board who do not carry this designation or affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the audit
committee or the Board.
As set out in the Audit and Risk Management Committee’s charter, the committee is responsible for pre-approving all non-audit
services to be provided to the Company by its independent external auditor. The Company’s practice requires senior
management to report to the Audit and Risk Management Committee any provision of services by the auditors and requires
consideration as to whether the provision of the services other than audit services is compatible with maintaining the auditor’s
independence. All audit and audit-related services are pre-approved by the Audit and Risk Management Committee.
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP (“EY”) chartered accountants, the Company’s independent external auditor,
for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, respectively, for professional services rendered by EY for
the audit of the Company’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by EY in connection with
statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for such fiscal years were $2,567,933 and $3,458,051, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
The aggregate fees billed by EY for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, respectively, for assurance
and related services rendered by EY that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of the Company’s
financial statements and are not reported above as “Audit Fees” were $13,042 and $33,785, respectively. The fees paid in this
category relate to provision of assurance services related to certain contractual compliance clauses, as well as the Company’s
corporate social responsibility disclosures.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees billed by EY for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, respectively, for
professional services rendered by EY for tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning and other services were $36,180 and $9,432,
respectively. Tax services provided included international tax compliance engagements.
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All Other Fees
The aggregate fees billed by EY for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, respectively, for
professional services rendered by EY for acquisition-related due diligence were $422,200 and nil, respectively.
INTEREST OF MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS IN MATERIAL TRANSACTIONS
During the three-year period ending February 29, 2016 and during the current fiscal year up to the date hereof, none of the
Company’s directors, executive officers, 10 percent shareholders or any of their associates or affiliates had a material interest,
directly or indirectly, in any transaction that has materially affected or is reasonably expected to materially affect the Company,
other than Mr. Watsa, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and a significant shareholder, of Fairfax, which participated in
the Debenture Financing and continues to hold a significant proportion of the outstanding Debentures. See “General
Development of the Business - Fiscal 2014” and “Description of Capital Structure - Convertible Debentures” in this AIF.
TRANSFER AGENTS AND REGISTRARS
The Company’s transfer agent and registrar in Canada is Computershare Investor Services Inc. of Canada at its offices in
Toronto, Ontario. The co-transfer agent and registrar for the common shares in the United States is Computershare Trust
Company, Inc. at its offices in Denver, Colorado.
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
Other than as noted below, the Company has not entered into any material contracts, on or after January 1, 2002, that are
required to be filed pursuant to NI 51-102 of the Canadian Securities Administrators:
•
•
the Trust Indenture providing for the issuance and conversion of the Debentures, dated as of November 13, 2013, as
supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 12, 2013 and the Second Supplemental
Indenture dated as of April 30, 2014, which have been filed on SEDAR, and the terms of which are summarized under
“Description of Capital Structure - Convertible Debentures”; and
the Agreement and Plan of Merger among BlackBerry Corporation, Good, Greenbrier Merger Corp. and Shareholder
Representative Services LLC dated September 4, 2015, providing for the acquisition of Good by the Company for a
purchase price of $425 million. The Agreement and Plan of Merger is summarized in the Company’s material change
report filed on SEDAR on September 14, 2015, which is incorporated by reference in this AIF.
INTERESTS OF EXPERTS
Ernst & Young LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants, is the external auditor who prepared
the Independent Auditors’ Report to Shareholders in respect of the audited annual consolidated financial statements of the
Company for the year ended February 29, 2016 and the Report to Shareholders of an Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firm on the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting. Ernst & Young LLP is independent with respect
to the Company within the meaning of the Rules of Professional Conduct of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario
and applicable securities laws.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Additional information related to the Company can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on the SEC’s website at
www.sec.gov. Additional financial information is provided in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and the
Company’s MD&A for the year ended February 29, 2016, which can be found at www.sedar.com.
Additional information, including directors’ and officers’ remuneration and indebtedness to the Company, principal holders of
the securities of the Company and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans, is contained in the
Company’s most recent management information circular.
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APPENDIX A
CHARTER OF THE AUDIT AND RISK MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE OF THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF BLACKBERRY LIMITED AS ADOPTED BY
THE BOARD ON MARCH 31, 2016
1.
AUTHORITY
The Audit and Risk Management Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of BlackBerry Limited
(the “Corporation”) is established pursuant to Section 5.03 of the Corporation’s Amended and Restated By-law No. A3 and
Section 158 of the Ontario Business Corporations Act. The Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors as determined
from time to time by resolution of the Board. Consistent with the appointment of other Board committees, the members of the
Committee shall be appointed by the Board at the annual organizational meeting of the Board or at such other time as may be
determined by the Board, and shall serve until the earlier of (i) the death of the member; or (ii) the resignation, disqualification
or removal of the member from the Committee or from the Board. The Chair of the Committee shall be a member of the Committee
designated by the Board, provided that if the Board does not so designate a Chair, the members of the Committee, by majority
vote, may designate a Chair. The duties of the Chair are included in Annex A.
The presence in person or by telephone of a majority of the Committee’s members shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of
the Committee. All actions of the Committee will require the vote of a majority of its members present at a meeting of the
Committee at which a quorum is present. Any decision or determination of the Committee reduced to writing and signed by all
members of the Committee who would have been entitled to vote on such decision or determination at a meeting of the Committee
shall be fully as effective as if it had been made at a meeting duly called and held.
2.
PURPOSE OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee’s purpose is to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its legal and fiduciary obligations with respect to matters
involving the accounting, auditing, financial reporting, internal control and legal compliance functions of the Corporation and its
subsidiaries as well as with respect to the oversight of enterprise risk management, including risk compliance, the risk performance
and audit function, and the controls, processes and policies used by management to effectively manage the Corporation’s risks.
It is the objective of the Committee to maintain free and open means of communication among the Board, the independent auditors
and the financial and senior management of the Corporation.
3.
COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE
Each member of the Committee shall be an “independent” director within the meaning of Section 301 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002 (“Sarbanes-Oxley”), the rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the
rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market (“Nasdaq”) and National Instrument 52-110 “Audit Committees” of the securities regulators
in Canada, and, as such, shall be free from any relationship that may interfere with the exercise of his or her independent judgment
as a member of the Committee.
All members of the Committee shall be financially literate at the time of their election to the Committee. “Financial literacy”
shall be determined by the Board in the exercise of its business judgment, and shall include the ability to read and understand a
set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues that are generally comparable to the
breadth and complexity of issues that can be reasonably expected to be raised by the Corporation’s financial statements. At least
one member of the Committee shall be an “audit committee financial expert” with the meaning of Section 407 of Sarbanes-Oxley
and the rules promulgated thereunder by the SEC. Members of the Committee may not serve, in the aggregate, on more than 3
audit committees of public companies, unless the Board has determined that such service will not impair the member’s ability to
serve on the Committee.
Committee members, if they or the Board deem it appropriate, may enhance their understanding of finance and accounting by
participating in educational programs conducted by the Corporation or an outside consultant or firm. At least annually, the
Committee shall review its performance and the contribution of each of its members. This review will be completed on a confidential
basis in conjunction with the annual Board performance review process.
4.
MEETINGS OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee shall meet with such frequency and at such intervals as it shall determine is necessary to carry out its duties and
responsibilities. The Chair or any member of the Committee may call meetings of the Committee by notifying the Corporate
Secretary of the Corporation. Notice of meetings may be done through any efficient communication medium (i.e. email, facsimile,
mail, etc.) provided the notification is capable of being received at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance of the meeting. Each
member of the Committee shall be responsible for providing up-to-date contact information to the Corporate Secretary to ensure
efficient and timely communication. All independent directors may attend Committee meetings, provided that directors who are
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not members of the Committee shall not be entitled to vote, nor shall their attendance be counted as part of the quorum of the
Committee.
As part of its purpose to foster open communications, the Committee shall meet at least annually with management and the
Corporation’s independent auditors in separate executive sessions to discuss any matters that the Committee or each of these
groups or persons believe should be discussed privately. The Committee will have unrestricted access to management and employees
of the Corporation in order to carry out its duties and responsibilities. In addition, the Committee should meet or confer with the
independent auditors and management to review the Corporation’s financial statements, MD&A, annual and interim earnings
press releases and related filings prior to their public release and filing with the Ontario Securities Commission (“OSC”), the SEC
or any other regulatory body. The Chair should work with the Chief Financial Officer and management to establish the agendas
for Committee meetings. The Committee, in its discretion, may ask members of management or others to attend its meetings (or
portions thereof) and to provide pertinent information as necessary.
Minutes of the Committee will be recorded and maintained by the Corporate Secretary and presented to the Committee at the next
Committee meeting for approval. The Corporate Secretary, or his/her designate as approved by the Committee Chair, shall act as
secretary for the meetings. For in camera sessions of the Committee without management present, minutes will be recorded and
maintained by the Chair of the Committee or his/her designate. Each member of the Board will have access to the minutes of the
Committee’s meetings, regardless of whether he or she is a member of the Committee, and the Chair shall report to the Board at
its next meeting on the activities, findings and recommendations of the Committee following each meeting. Minutes relating to
in camera sessions may be provided to Board members with the consent of the Chair.
5.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee is responsible for the oversight of the Corporation’s accounting, financial reporting and risk management processes,
including (i) the Corporation’s internal controls, and the nomination and appointment (subject to Board and shareholder approval),
compensation, retention, evaluation and oversight of the work of the Corporation’s independent auditors engaged for the purpose
of preparing or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Corporation, (ii)
the oversight of enterprise risk management activities, and (iii) oversight of the Corporation’s Risk Performance and Audit Group
(“RPA Group”) as more particularly detailed below. The independent auditors and the RPA Group, through the leader of the
RPA Group or his/her designee must report and otherwise communicate directly to the Committee and are accountable to the
Committee. The Committee’s oversight responsibilities include the authority to approve all audit engagement fees and terms, as
well as all permitted non-audit engagements and resolution of disagreements between management and the independent auditors
regarding financial reporting as well as oversight of the annual audit plan of the RPA Group. The Committee shall take such
actions as it may deem necessary to satisfy itself that the Corporation’s auditors are independent of management within the meaning
of applicable law.
While there is no “blueprint” to be followed by the Committee in carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the following should
be considered within the authority of the Committee:
Selection and Evaluation of External Auditors
(1) Make recommendations to the Board as to the selection of the firm of independent public accountants to audit the books
and accounts of the Corporation and its subsidiaries for each fiscal year;
(2) Review and approve the Corporation’s independent auditors’ annual engagement letter, including the proposed fees
contained therein;
(3) Review the performance of the Corporation’s independent auditors, including the lead partner, discuss the timing and
process for implementing the rotation of the lead partner, and make recommendations to the Board regarding the
replacement or termination of the independent auditors when circumstances warrant;
(4) Oversee the independence of the Corporation’s independent auditors by, among other things:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
requiring the independent auditors to deliver to the Committee on a periodic basis a formal written statement
delineating all relationships between the independent auditors and the Corporation;
reviewing and approving hiring policies concerning partners, employees and former partners and employees of
the present and former independent auditors; and
actively engaging in a dialogue with the independent auditors with respect to any disclosed relationships or services
that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent auditors and taking appropriate action to
satisfy itself of the auditors’ independence;
(5) Instruct the Corporation’s independent auditors that:
(i)
they are ultimately accountable to the Committee;
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(ii)
they must report directly to the Committee; and
(iii)
the Committee is responsible for the appointment (subject to Board and shareholder approval), compensation,
retention, evaluation and oversight of the Corporation’s independent auditors;
(6) Review and pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditors to the
Corporation, including tax services;
Oversight of Annual Audit and Quarterly Reviews
(1) Review and accept, if appropriate, the annual audit plan of the Corporation’s independent auditors, including the scope
of audit activities, and monitor such plan’s progress and results during the year;
(2) Confirm through private discussions with the Corporation’s independent auditors and the Corporation’s management that
no management restrictions are being placed on the scope of the independent auditors’ work;
(3) Review the results of the year-end audit of the Corporation, including (as applicable):
(i)
(ii)
the audit reports on the Corporation’s financial statements and management’s assessment of internal control over
financial reporting, the published financial statements, the management representation letter, the “Memorandum
Regarding Ac-counting Procedures and Internal Control” or similar memorandum prepared by the Corporation’s
independent auditors, any other pertinent reports and management’s responses concerning such memorandum;
the qualitative judgments of the independent auditors about the appropriateness, not just the acceptability, of
accounting principles and financial disclosure practices used or proposed to be adopted by the Corporation and,
particularly, about the degree of aggressiveness or conservatism of its accounting principles and underlying
estimates;
(iii)
the selection and application of the Corporation’s critical accounting policies;
(iv)
the methods used to account for significant unusual transactions;
(v)
the effect of significant accounting policies in controversial or emerging areas for which there is a lack of
authoritative guidance or consensus;
(vi) management’s process for formulating sensitive accounting estimates and the reasonableness of these estimates;
(vii) significant recorded and unrecorded audit adjustments;
(viii) any material accounting issues among management, the RPA Group (as defined above) and the independent
auditors; and
(ix)
other matters required to be communicated to the Committee under applicable auditing standards by the independent
auditors;
(4) Review the Corporation’s interim financial statements and quarterly earnings press releases and report thereon to the
Board before such documents are approved by the Board and disclosed to the public;
(5) Review with management and the Corporation’s independent auditors such accounting policies (and changes therein) of
the Corporation, including any financial reporting issues which could have a material impact on the Corporation’s financial
statements, as are deemed appropriate for review by the Committee prior to any year-end or quarterly filings with the
SEC, the OSC or other regulatory body;
Oversight of Risk Management
(1) Require the members of the Corporation’s senior leadership team to identify and review with the Committee a portfolio
view of the major areas of risk facing the Corporation and management’s strategies to manage those risks;
(2) At least annually, review management’s risk appetite and evaluate the extent to which the Corporation’s risk profile and
business planning are aligned with the risk appetite;
(3) At least annually, review in light of the risk appetite, the Corporation’s enterprise risk management processes, including
key policies and procedures for the effective identification, assessment, reporting, monitoring and control of the
Corporation’s principal risks and the Corporation’s compliance with such policies and procedures;
(4) Require, at least quarterly, management to update the Committee on any material or noteworthy changes relating to (1)-
(3), immediately above, and the activities of the Corporation’s Risk Management and Compliance Council;
(5) Consult periodically with the Compensation, Nomination and Governance Committee on risk management matters within
its purview;
(6) Encourage an open and constructive risk dialogue between the Board and management on areas relating to risk
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management, and seek assurances from management on the effectiveness of risk management practices and controls;
(7) Consider emerging industry and regulatory risk management issues and the possible impact on the Corporation;
Oversight of the RPA Group and Quarterly Reviews
(1) Review the Committee’s level of involvement and interaction with the Corporation’s RPA Group, including the
Committee’s line of authority and role in appointing and compensating employees in the RPA Group;
(2) Review and advise on the appointment, replacement, reassignment, or dismissal of the leader of the RPA Group;
(3) Review the resources, performance, effectiveness, degree of independence and objectivity of the RPA Group and the
adequacy of its audit process, and approve changes to its charter;
(4) Review RPA Group reports, as well as management’s response to such reports, and review and approve the annual audit
plan of the RPA Group, including the proposed audit universe, priorities, staffing, and, on a quarterly basis, the status of
the audit plan and the then current assessment and management of risk;
(5) Review the effectiveness of the RPA Group’s methodology relating to its assessment of risks to the Corporation, including
the factors considered and the relative weighting of such factors, and consider changes in management’s assessment of
risks;
(6) Review with management the progress and results of all RPA Group projects, approve procedures for implementing
accepted recommendations, and, when deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee, direct the Corporation’s Chief
Executive Officer to assign additional audit projects to the leader of the RPA Group;
(7) Meet privately with the leader of the RPA Group to discuss any areas of concern, and to confirm that (i) significant issues,
including any material disagreements with the senior leadership team, are brought to the Committee’s attention, (ii) the
principal risks of the Corporation’s business have been identified by management and appropriate policies and systems
have been implemented to manage such risks, and (iii) the integrity of the Company’s internal control and management
information systems are satisfactory;
Oversight of Financial Reporting Process and Internal Controls
(1) Review the adequacy and effectiveness of the Corporation’s accounting and internal control policies and procedures
through inquiry and discussions with the Corporation’s independent auditors and management of the Corporation;
(2) Review with management the Corporation’s administrative, operational and accounting internal controls and internal
control over financial reporting, including controls and security of the computerized information systems, and evaluate
whether the Corporation is operating in accordance with its prescribed policies, procedures and codes of conduct;
(3) Review with management and the independent auditors any reportable conditions and material weaknesses affecting the
Corporation’s internal control and financial reporting;
(4) Receive periodic reports from the Corporation’s independent auditors and management of the Corporation to assess the
impact on the Corporation of significant accounting or financial reporting developments proposed by the Chartered
Professional Accountants Canada, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board, the SEC, the OSC or other regulatory body, or any other significant accounting or financial reporting
related matters that may have a bearing on the Corporation;
(5) Establish and maintain free and open means of communication between and among the Board, the Committee, the
Corporation’s independent auditors, the RPA Group and management;
Other Matters
(1) In addition to meeting regularly with the general counsel, meet as needed with outside counsel to review legal and
regulatory matters, including inquiries from governmental and regulatory authorities and any matters that may have a
material impact on the financial statements of the Corporation;
(2) Review the Corporation’s policies relating to the avoidance of conflicts of interest and review and approve related party
transactions as required by the Corporation’s Code of Business Standards and Principles and applicable laws and listing
rules, as well as policies and procedures with respect to officers’ expense accounts and perquisites. The Committee shall
consider the results of any review of these policies and procedures by the Corporation’s independent auditors;
(3) Oversee, review, and periodically update the Corporation’s Code of Business Standards and Principles and the
Corporation’s system to monitor compliance with and enforcement of the Code of Business Standards and Principles;
(4) Review and approve capital and operating expenditure limits on an annual basis and review and approval of any exceptions
to such limits proposed by the Corporation from time to time;
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(5) Oversee areas under the responsibility of management, including the examination of securities trading by insiders;
(6) Conduct or authorize investigations into any matters within the Committee's scope of responsibilities, including retaining
outside counsel or other consultants or experts for this purpose;
(7) Establish procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by the Corporation regarding
accounting, internal controls or auditing matters and the confidential, anonymous submission by employees of the
Corporation of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters; and
(8) Perform such additional activities, and consider such other matters, within the scope of its responsibilities, as the Committee
or the Board deems necessary or appropriate.
With respect to the exercise of its duties and responsibilities, the Committee should:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
exercise reasonable diligence in gathering and considering all material information;
remain flexible, so that it may be in a position to best react or respond to changing circumstances or conditions;
understand and weigh alternative courses of conduct that may be available;
focus on weighing the benefit versus harm to the Corporation and its shareholders when considering alternative
recommendations or courses of action;
if the Committee deems it appropriate, secure independent expert advice and understand the expert’s findings and
the basis for such findings, including retaining independent counsel, accountants or others to assist the Committee
in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities; and
provide management, the Corporation’s independent auditors and the RPA Group with appropriate opportunities
to meet privately with the Committee.
Nothing in this Charter is intended, or should be determined, to impose on any member of the Committee a standard of care or
diligence that is in any way more onerous or extensive than the standard to which all members of the Board are subject at law.
The essence of the Committee’s responsibilities is to monitor and review the activities described in this Charter to gain reasonable
assurance, but not to ensure, that such activities are being conducted properly and effectively by the Corporation.
6.
FUNDING
The Committee’s effectiveness may be compromised if it is dependent on management’s discretion to compensate the independent
auditors or the advisors employed by the Committee. Consequently, the Corporation shall provide for appropriate funding, as
determined by the Committee, for payment of any compensation (1) to any independent auditors engaged for the purpose of
rendering or issuing an audit report or related work or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Corporation, and
(2) to any independent counsel or other advisors employed by the Committee.
7.
DISCLOSURE AND REVIEW OF CHARTER
The Charter shall be (1) published in the Corporation’s annual report, information circular or annual information form, as required
by law, and (2) be posted in an up-to-date format on the Corporation’s web site. The Committee should review and reassess
annually the adequacy of this Charter.
While the Committee has the duties and responsibilities set forth in this Charter, the Committee is not responsible for planning or
conducting the audit or for determining whether the Corporation’s consolidated financial statements are complete and accurate
and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Similarly, it is not the responsibility of the Committee to
ensure that the Corporation complies with all laws and regulations.
* * *
50
Table of Contents
ANNEX A
(Duties and Responsibilities of the Chair)
In addition to the duties and responsibilities set out in the Board of Directors Mandate and this Charter, the Chair will:
1. Provide overall leadership to enhance the effectiveness of the Committee, including:
a. Recommend and oversee the appropriate structure, composition, membership, and activities delegated to the Committee;
b. Chair all meetings of the Committee at which the Chair is in attendance and manage the meeting agenda so that appropriate
time and consideration can be given to the agenda items;
c. Lead discussions, foster candor among meeting participants and encourage Committee members to ask questions of senior
management, its advisors and advisors of the Committee, and express viewpoints during meetings;
d. Schedule and set the agenda for Committee meetings with input from other Committee members, the Committee’s
advisors, the Executive Chair and the Lead Director of the Board of Directors, the CEO, the Corporate Secretary and
senior management as appropriate and consider, on a proactive basis, emerging matters that should be addressed by the
Committee;
e. Facilitate the timely, accurate and proper flow of information to and from the Committee and, with input from Committee
members, maintain an open dialogue with the Corporate Secretary regarding the timeliness, quantity, quality and
completeness of information provided by senior management and advisors to the Committee;
f. Arrange for management, internal personnel, external advisors, and others to attend and present at Committee meetings
as appropriate;
g. Arrange sufficient time during Committee meetings to fully discuss agenda items and, as appropriate, defer matters that
require more information or time for discussion to a subsequent meeting;
h.
In cooperation with the Corporate Secretary and/or the Assistant Corporate Secretary, identify, monitor and report back
to the Committee on the status of matters requiring action by senior management or the Committee following the meeting
with a view to ensuring that matters are acted upon in a timely manner;
i. Review draft minutes of Committee meetings prior to their presentation to the Committee for approval and ensure that
minutes are reviewed and approved by the Committee in accordance with this Charter;
j. Carry out the responsibilities and duties of the Committee, as outlined in this Charter, and
k. Review this Charter and duties and responsibilities with Committee members at least annually.
2. Foster responsible decision-making by the Committee and its individual members.
3. Provide for in-camera sessions at all scheduled meetings of the Committee without management present and, as appropriate,
without the Corporate Secretary present.
4. Following each meeting of the Committee, report to the Board of Directors on the activities, findings and any recommendations
of the Committee.
5. Perform such other duties, within the scope of the Committee’s duties and responsibilities, as may be assigned by the Board
of Directors.
51
Exhibit 1.2
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS’ REPORT OF REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of BlackBerry Limited
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of BlackBerry Limited [the “Company”], which are
comprised of the consolidated balance sheets as at February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, the consolidated statements of
operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years ended February 29, 2016,
February 28, 2015, and March 1, 2014, and a summary of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.
Management’s responsibility for the consolidated financial statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance
with United States generally accepted accounting principles, and for such internal control as management determines is
necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due
to fraud or error.
Auditors’ responsibility
Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we comply with ethical requirements and plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free from material misstatement.
An audit involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated
financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the auditors’ judgment, including the assessment of the risks of
material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments,
the auditors consider internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial
statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances. An audit also includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, evaluating the
appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates made by management, as well as
evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements.
We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained in our audits is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit
opinion.
Opinion
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the
Company as at February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the
years ended February 29, 2016, February 28, 2015, and March 1, 2014, in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles.
Other matter
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2016, based on the criteria established in Internal
Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013
Framework) and our report dated April 1, 2016, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
Kitchener, Canada,
April 1, 2016
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
1
REPORT OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of BlackBerry Limited
We have audited BlackBerry Limited’s [the “Company”] internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2016,
based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations
of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework) (the COSO criteria). The Company’s management is responsible for
maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control
over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting
based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal
control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of
internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and
operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered
necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with United
States generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies
and procedures that [1] pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; [2] provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as
necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that
receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors
of the Company; and [3] provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition,
use or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
As indicated in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management’s
assessment of and conclusion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting did not include the internal
controls of Good Technology Corporation and AtHoc, Inc., which are included in the fiscal 2016 consolidated financial
statements of the Company and constituted 19% and 23% of total and net assets, respectively, as of February 29, 2016, and 3%
and 13% of revenues and loss before income taxes, respectively, for the year then ended. Our audit of internal control over
financial reporting of the Company also did not include an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Good
Technology Corporation and AtHoc, Inc.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of
February 29, 2016, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States),
the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as at February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, and the consolidated
statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the years ended February 29,
2016, February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014 of the Company and our report dated April 1, 2016 expressed an unqualified
opinion thereon.
Kitchener, Canada,
April 1, 2016
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
2
MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING
To the Shareholders of BlackBerry Limited
Management of BlackBerry Limited is responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Consolidated Financial
Statements and all of the financial information in this Annual Report. The Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in
accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and include certain amounts based upon estimates and
judgments required for such preparation. The financial information appearing throughout this Annual Report is consistent with
the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Consolidated Financial Statements have been reviewed by the Audit and Risk
Management Committee and approved by the Board of Directors of BlackBerry Limited.
In fulfilling its responsibility for the reliability and integrity of financial information, management has developed and
maintains systems of accounting and internal controls and budgeting procedures. Management believes these systems and
controls provide reasonable assurance that assets are safeguarded, transactions are executed in accordance with management’s
authorization and financial records are reliable for the preparation of accurate and timely Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company’s Audit and Risk Management Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists entirely of non-
management independent directors, usually meets two times per fiscal quarter with management and the independent registered
public accounting firm to ensure that each is discharging its respective responsibilities, to review the Consolidated Financial
Statements and either the quarterly review engagement report or the independent registered public accounting firm’s report and
to discuss significant financial reporting issues and auditing matters. The Company’s external registered public accounting firm
has full and unrestricted access to the Audit and Risk Management Committee to discuss audit findings, financial reporting and
other related matters. The Audit and Risk Management Committee reports its findings to the Board of Directors for
consideration when the Board approves the Consolidated Financial Statements for issuance to the shareholders.
The Consolidated Financial Statements for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014 have been audited by Ernst & Young
LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm appointed by the shareholders, in accordance with Canadian generally
accepted auditing standards and the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Waterloo, Ontario
April 1, 2016
/s/ John S. Chen
John S. Chen
President & CEO
3
BlackBerry Limited
Incorporated under the Laws of Ontario
(United States dollars, in millions)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
Current
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Accounts receivable, net
Other receivables
Inventories
Income taxes receivable
Other current assets
Deferred income tax asset
Long-term investments
Restricted cash
Property, plant and equipment, net
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Deferred income tax asset
Liabilities
Current
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Deferred revenue
Long-term debt
Deferred income tax liability
Shareholders’ equity
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital
Preferred shares: authorized unlimited number of non-voting, cumulative,
redeemable and retractable
Common shares: authorized unlimited number of non-voting, redeemable,
retractable Class A common shares and unlimited number of voting common shares
Issued - 521,172,271 voting common shares (February 28, 2015 - 528,802,322)
Retained earnings
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
On behalf of the Board:
John S. Chen
Director
As at
February 29,
2016
February 28,
2015
$
957
$
1,420
338
51
143
—
102
—
1,233
1,658
503
97
122
169
375
10
3,011
4,167
$
$
197
50
412
618
1,213
33
5,534
$
$
270
368
9
392
1,039
1,277
10
2,326
316
59
556
85
1,375
—
6,558
235
667
—
470
1,372
1,707
48
3,127
—
—
2,448
768
(8)
3,208
$
5,534
$
2,444
1,010
(23)
3,431
6,558
Barbara Stymiest
Director
Treasury
Stock
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
$
7,267
(5,873)
—
(4) $
—
(4)
BlackBerry Limited
(United States dollars, in millions)
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Capital Stock
and Additional
Paid-in Capital
$
2,431
$
—
—
3
68
(13)
—
(71)
2,418
—
—
6
50
8
—
(38)
2,444
—
—
3
60
(1)
(59)
1
Balance as at March 2, 2013
Net loss
Other comprehensive loss
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options
Stock-based compensation
Tax deficiencies related to stock-based
compensation
Purchase of treasury stock
Treasury shares released for restricted
share unit settlements
Balance as at March 1, 2014
Net loss
Other comprehensive loss
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options
Stock-based compensation
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based
compensation
Sale of treasury stock
Treasury shares released for restricted
share unit settlements
Balance as at February 28, 2015
Net loss
Other comprehensive income
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options
Stock-based compensation
Tax deficiencies related to stock-based
compensation
Share repurchase
Employee share purchase plan
Balance as at February 29, 2016
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
(234) $
—
—
—
—
—
(16)
71
(179)
—
—
—
—
—
141
38
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,394
(304)
—
—
—
—
(80)
—
1,010
(208)
—
—
—
—
(34)
—
$
2,448
$
— $
768
$
5
Total
9,460
(5,873)
(4)
3
68
(13)
(16)
—
3,625
(304)
(15)
6
50
8
61
—
3,431
(208)
15
3
60
(1)
(93)
1
3,208
—
—
—
—
—
(8)
—
(15)
—
—
—
—
—
(23)
—
15
—
—
—
—
—
(8) $
BlackBerry Limited
(United States dollars, in millions, except per share data)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
February 29,
2016
For the Years Ended
February 28,
2015
March 1,
2014
Revenue
Software, services and service access fees
$
1,273
$
1,854
$
Hardware and other
Cost of sales
Software, services and service access fees
Hardware and other
Inventory write-down
Supply commitment charges (recovery)
Gross margin
Operating expenses
Research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Amortization
Abandonment/impairment of long-lived assets
Debentures fair value adjustment
Operating loss
Investment income (loss), net
Loss before income taxes
Recovery of income taxes
Net loss
Loss per share
Basic
Diluted
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
887
2,160
247
939
36
(3)
1,219
941
469
712
277
136
(430)
1,164
(223)
(59)
(282)
(74)
(208) $
(0.40) $
(0.86) $
1,481
3,335
287
1,382
95
(33)
1,731
1,604
711
904
298
34
80
2,027
(423)
38
(385)
(81)
(304) $
(0.58) $
(0.58) $
$
$
$
2,933
3,880
6,813
473
3,985
1,616
782
6,856
(43)
1,286
2,103
606
2,748
377
7,120
(7,163)
(21)
(7,184)
(1,311)
(5,873)
(11.18)
(11.18)
6
BlackBerry Limited
(United States dollars, in millions)
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss
Net loss
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments
Net change in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges during
the year, net of income tax recovery of $2 million (February 28, 2015 - income
tax recovery of $3 million; March 1, 2014 - income tax recovery of $6 million)
Amounts reclassified to net loss during the year, net of income tax recovery of
$2 million (February 28, 2015 - income tax recovery of $2 million; March 1,
2014 - income tax recovery of $6 million)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive loss
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
For the Years Ended
February 29,
2016
February 28,
2015
March 1,
2014
$
(208) $
(304) $
(5,873)
1
(3)
1
(1)
(29)
(29)
27
(10)
15
(193) $
13
—
(15)
(319) $
26
—
(4)
(5,877)
$
7
BlackBerry Limited
(United States dollars, in millions)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities
Net loss
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities:
Amortization
Deferred income taxes
Stock-based compensation
Abandonment/impairment of long-lived assets
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
Debentures fair value adjustment
Other
Net changes in working capital items
Accounts receivable, net
Other receivables
Inventories
Income tax receivable
Other current assets
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Deferred revenue
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisition of long-term investments
Proceeds on sale or maturity of long-term investments
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
Proceeds on sale of property, plant and equipment
Acquisition of intangible assets
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
Acquisition of short-term investments
Proceeds on sale or maturity of short-term investments
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities
Issuance of common shares
Excess tax benefit (deficiency) related to stock-based compensation
Sale (purchase) of treasury stock
Common shares repurchased
Issuance of debt
Transfer from (to) restricted cash
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents during the year
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
$
For the Years Ended
February 29,
2016
February 28,
2015
March 1,
2014
(208)
(304)
(5,873)
616
(105)
60
136
59
(430)
16
200
47
(21)
166
257
14
(304)
9
(255)
257
(326)
301
(32)
4
(70)
(698)
(2,764)
3,146
(439)
4
(1)
—
(93)
—
12
(78)
(16)
(276)
1,233
957
$
694
62
50
34
135
80
3
469
55
123
204
116
(240)
(550)
—
(118)
813
(802)
515
(87)
348
(421)
(119)
(2,949)
2,342
(1,173)
6
8
61
—
—
(59)
16
(2)
(346)
1,579
1,233
$
1,270
(149)
68
2,748
107
377
34
1,381
124
359
224
(26)
(590)
(251)
—
38
(159)
(229)
284
(283)
49
(1,080)
(7)
(1,699)
1,925
(1,040)
3
(13)
(16)
—
1,250
—
1,224
5
30
1,549
1,579
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
1. BLACKBERRY LIMITED AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
BlackBerry Limited (the “Company”) is securing a connected world, delivering innovative solutions across the entire
mobile ecosystem and beyond. The Company secures the world’s most sensitive data across all endpoints – from cars to
smartphones – making the mobile-first enterprise vision a reality. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, the
Company operates offices in North America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The
Company’s common shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ: BBRY) and the Toronto Stock
Exchange (TSX: BB), and its unsecured convertible debentures due in 2020 (the “Debentures”) are listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange (TSX: BB.DB.U).
Basis of Presentation and Preparation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries of the Company with intercompany
transactions and balances eliminated on consolidation. All of the Company’s subsidiaries are wholly-owned. These
consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) on a basis consistent for all periods presented except as described in Note 2. Certain
of the comparative figures have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Change in Fiscal Year
Effective in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company changed its fiscal year from a 52 or 53 week year ending the
last Saturday in February or the first Saturday in March to a calendar basis ending the last day of February. The purpose of
this change is to be consistent with common practice in the software industry. The Company believes this is appropriate
due to its increased emphasis on software and its completed acquisitions of software companies with recurring revenue
streams. The Company does not believe that the impact of the change is material.
Accordingly, the Company’s fiscal quarters will end on the last days of May, August, November, and February as follows:
Fourth quarter and year end, fiscal 2016
First quarter, fiscal 2017
Second quarter, fiscal 2017
Third quarter, fiscal 2017
Fourth quarter and year end, fiscal 2017
New date
Original date
February 29, 2016
February 27, 2016
May 31, 2016
May 28, 2016
August 31, 2016
August 27, 2016
November 30, 2016
November 26, 2016
February 28, 2017
February 25, 2017
The impact of the change for the fourth quarter and year end, fiscal 2016, will be as follows:
Days in period prior to change
Days in period post-change
Difference
The impact of the change for fiscal 2017 will be as follows:
Three months ended
February 2016
Year ended February
2016
91
93
2
364
366
2
Days in period prior to change
Days in period post-change
Difference
First quarter
Second quarter Third quarter
Fourth quarter
91
92
1
91
92
1
91
91
—
91
90
(1)
The prior year comparative figures reported in the consolidated financial statements will continue to be presented based
on the Company’s previous fiscal calendar. Comparability between fiscal quarters and fiscal year ends may be affected by
varying lengths of the period. Accordingly, fiscal 2016 was two days longer than fiscal 2015. Each of the first and second
quarters of fiscal 2017 will be one day longer than the first and second quarters of fiscal 2016. The third quarter of fiscal
1
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
2017 will be the same length as the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 will be three days shorter
than the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Fiscal 2017 will be one day shorter than fiscal 2016.
Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
Use of estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions with
respect to the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities. Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to the determination of reserves for various
litigation claims, provisions for excess and obsolete inventories and liabilities for purchase commitments with contract
manufacturers and suppliers, provisions for warranty, revenue related estimates including vendor-specific objective
evidence of selling price (“VSOE”), best estimated selling price (“BESP”), right of return and customer incentive
commitments, royalties, implied fair value of goodwill, long-lived asset impairment, amortization expense, fair values of
assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, provision for income taxes, realization of deferred
income tax assets and the related components of the valuation allowance, allowance for doubtful accounts, and the fair
values of financial instruments. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The significant accounting policies used in these U.S. GAAP consolidated financial statements are as follows:
Foreign currency translation
The U.S. dollar is the functional and reporting currency of the Company and substantially all of the Company’s
subsidiaries.
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities of the Company and its U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries
are translated into U.S. dollars. Accordingly, monetary assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rates in
effect as at the consolidated balance sheets dates, and revenues and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange
prevailing when the transactions occurred. Re-measurement adjustments are included in income. Non-monetary assets and
liabilities are translated at historical exchange rates.
Foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities of the Company’s non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries are
translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect as at the consolidated balance sheets dates. Revenue and
expenses are translated using monthly average exchange rates. Exchange gains or losses arising from translation of
foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities are included as a currency translation adjustment within accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”).
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of balances with banks and liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at
the date of acquisition.
Accounts receivable, net
The accounts receivable balance reflects invoiced and accrued revenue and is presented net of an allowance for doubtful
accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects estimates of probable losses in the accounts receivable balance.
The Company is dependent on a number of significant customers and on large complex contracts with respect to the
majority of its products, software and service revenue. The Company expects the majority of its accounts receivable
balances to continue to come from large customers as it sells the majority of its devices, software products and services
through network carriers and resellers rather than directly.
The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable balance based upon a combination of factors on a
periodic basis such as specific credit risk of its customers, historical trends and economic circumstances. The Company, in
the normal course of business, monitors the financial condition of its customers and reviews the credit history of each new
customer. When the Company becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations to the
Company (such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or material deterioration in the customer’s operating results or
financial position, and payment experiences), the Company records a specific bad debt provision to reduce the customer’s
related accounts receivable to its estimated net realizable value. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the
Company’s estimates of the recoverability of accounts receivables balances could be further adjusted.
Investments
The Company’s cash equivalents and investments, other than cost method and equity method investments, consist of
money market and other debt securities, which are classified as available-for-sale for accounting purposes and are carried
2
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of related income taxes, are recorded in AOCI until such investments mature
or are sold. The Company uses the specific identification method of determining the cost basis in computing realized
gains or losses on available-for-sale investments, which are recorded in investment income. In the event of a decline in
value which is other-than-temporary, the investment is written down to fair value with a charge to income. The Company
does not exercise significant influence with respect to any of these investments.
Investments with maturities at time of purchase of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents. Investments
with maturities of one year or less (but which are not cash equivalents), as well as any investments that management
intends to hold for less than one year, are classified as short-term investments. Investments with maturities in excess of
one year are classified as long-term investments.
The Company assesses individual investments that are in an unrealized loss position to determine whether the unrealized
loss is other-than-temporary. The Company makes this assessment by considering available evidence, including changes
in general market conditions, specific industry and individual company data, the length of time and the extent to which the
fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition, the near-term prospects of the individual investment and the
Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment. In the event that a decline in the fair value of an investment occurs
and that decline in value is considered to be other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded in investment income
equal to the difference between the cost basis and the fair value of the individual investment as at the consolidated balance
sheets date of the reporting period for which the assessment was made. The fair value of the investment then becomes the
new cost basis of the investment.
If a debt security’s market value is below its amortized cost and the Company either intends to sell the security or it is
more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery, the Company
records an other-than-temporary impairment charge to investment income for the entire amount of the impairment. For
other-than-temporary impairments on debt securities that the Company does not intend to sell and it is not more likely
than not that the entity will be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery, the Company would separate
the other-than-temporary impairment into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all other
factors. The Company would record the other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss as a charge to
investment income and the remaining other-than-temporary impairment would be recorded as a component of AOCI.
Derivative financial instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments, including forward contracts and options, to hedge certain foreign
currency exposures. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
The Company records all derivative instruments at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of these
instruments is calculated based on notional and exercise values, transaction rates, market quoted currency spot rates,
forward points, volatilities and interest rate yield curves. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative
depends on the intended use of the derivative instrument and the resulting designation.
For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially
reported as a component of AOCI, net of tax, and subsequently reclassified into income in the same period or periods in
which the hedged item affects income. The ineffective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is recognized in current
income. In order for the Company to receive hedge accounting treatment, the cash flow hedge must be highly effective in
offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged item and the relationship between the hedging instrument and the
associated hedged item must be formally documented at the inception of the hedge relationship. Hedge effectiveness is
formally assessed, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, to determine whether the derivatives used in hedging
transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in the value of the hedged items and whether they are expected to
continue to be highly effective in future periods.
The Company formally documents relationships between hedging instruments and associated hedged items. This
documentation includes: identification of the specific foreign currency asset, liability or forecasted transaction being
hedged; the nature of the risk being hedged; the hedge objective; and the method of assessing hedge effectiveness. If an
anticipated transaction is deemed no longer likely to occur, the corresponding derivative instrument is de-designated as a
hedge and any associated unrealized gains and losses in AOCI are recognized in income at that time. Any future changes
in the fair value of the instrument are recognized in current income.
For any derivative instruments that do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting, or for any derivative instruments
for which hedge accounting is not elected, the changes in fair value of the instruments are recognized in income in the
current period and will generally offset the changes in the U.S. dollar value of the associated asset, liability or forecasted
transaction.
3
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
Inventories
Raw materials, work in process and finished goods are stated at the lower of cost or market value. Cost includes the cost
of materials plus direct labour applied to the product and the applicable share of manufacturing overhead. Cost is
determined on a first-in, first-out basis. Market is generally considered to be replacement cost; however, market is not
permitted to exceed the ceiling (net realizable value) or be less than the floor (net realizable value less a normal markup).
Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable
costs of completion and disposal.
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. No amortization is provided for
construction in progress until the assets are ready for use. Amortization is provided using the following rates and methods:
Buildings, leasehold improvements and other
BlackBerry operations and other information technology
Straight-line over terms between 5 and 40 years
Straight-line over terms between 3 and 5 years
Manufacturing equipment, research and development
equipment and tooling
Furniture and fixtures
Goodwill
Straight-line over terms between 1 and 5 years
Declining balance at 20% per annum
Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is
allocated at the date of the business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is tested for impairment annually, during
the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset may be impaired. These
events and circumstances may include a significant change in legal factors or in the business climate, a significant decline
in the Company’s share price, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, unanticipated competition, a loss of key
personnel, significant disposal activity and the testing of recoverability for a significant asset group.
The Company consists of a single reporting unit. The impairment test is carried out in two steps. In the first step, the
carrying amount of the reporting unit including goodwill is compared with its fair value. The estimated fair value is
determined utilizing a market-based approach, based on the quoted market price of the Company’s stock in an active
market, adjusted by an appropriate control premium. When the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value,
goodwill of the reporting unit is considered to be impaired and the second step is necessary. In the second step, the
implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill is compared with its carrying amount to measure the amount of the
impairment loss, if any.
Intangible assets
Intangible assets with definite lives are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided on a
straight-line basis over the following terms:
Acquired technology
Intellectual property
Other acquired intangibles
Between 3 and 10 years
Between 1 and 17 years
Between 2 and 10 years
Intellectual property contains patents and agreements with third parties for the use of intellectual property. Other acquired
intangibles include items such as customer relationships and brand. The useful lives of intangible assets are evaluated at
least annually to determine if events or circumstances warrant a revision to their remaining period of amortization. Legal,
regulatory and contractual factors, the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition and other economic factors are
potential indicators that the useful life of an intangible asset may be revised.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets (“LLA”) such as property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with finite
useful lives for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset or
asset group may not be recoverable. These events and circumstances may include significant decreases in the market price
of an asset or asset group, significant changes in the extent or manner in which an asset or asset group is being used by the
Company or in its physical condition, a significant change in legal factors or in the business climate, a history or forecast
4
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
of future operating or cash flow losses, significant disposal activity, a significant decline in the Company’s share price, a
significant decline in revenue or adverse changes in the economic environment.
When indicators of impairment exist, LLA impairment is tested using a two-step process. The Company performs a cash
flow recoverability test as the first step, which involves comparing the asset group’s estimated undiscounted future cash
flows to the carrying amount of its net assets. If the net cash flows of the asset group exceeds the carrying amount of its
net assets, LLA are not considered to be impaired. If the carrying amount exceeds the net cash flows, there is an indication
of potential impairment and the second step of the LLA impairment test is performed to measure the impairment amount.
The second step involves determining the fair value of the asset group. Fair values are determined using valuation
techniques that are in accordance with U.S. GAAP, including the market approach, income approach and cost approach. If
the carrying amount of the asset group’s net assets exceeds the fair value of the Company, then the excess represents the
maximum amount of potential impairment that will be allocated to the asset group, with the limitation that the carrying
value of each asset cannot be reduced to a value lower than its fair value. The total impairment amount allocated is
recognized as a non-cash impairment loss.
Business acquisitions
The Company accounts for its acquisitions using the acquisition method whereby identifiable assets acquired and
liabilities assumed are measured at their fair values as of the date of acquisition. The excess of the acquisition price over
such fair value, if any, is recorded as goodwill, which is not expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The Company
includes the operating results of each acquired business in the consolidated financial statements from the date of
acquisition.
Royalties
The Company recognizes its liability for royalties in accordance with the terms of existing license agreements. Where
license agreements are not yet finalized, the Company recognizes its current estimates of the obligation in accrued
liabilities in the consolidated financial statements. When the license agreements are subsequently finalized, the estimate is
revised accordingly. Management’s estimates of royalty rates are based on the Company’s historical licensing activities,
royalty payment experience, and forward-looking expectations.
Warranty
The Company records the estimated costs of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. BlackBerry devices are
generally covered by a time-limited warranty for varying periods of time. The Company’s warranty obligation is affected
by product failure rates, differences in warranty periods, regulatory developments with respect to warranty obligations in
the countries in which the Company carries on business, freight expense, and material usage and other related repair costs.
The Company’s estimates of costs are based upon historical experience and expectations of future return rates and unit
warranty repair costs. If the Company experiences increased or decreased warranty activity, or increased or decreased
costs associated with servicing those obligations, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be recognized in the
reporting period when such revisions are made.
Convertible Debentures
The Company elected to measure the Debentures at fair value in accordance with the fair value option. Each period, the
fair value of the Debentures is recalculated and resulting gains and losses from the change in fair value of the Debentures
are recognized in income. The fair value of the Debentures has been determined using the significant inputs of principal
value, interest rate spreads and curves, embedded call and put option dates and prices, the stock price and volatility of the
Company’s listed common shares, and the Company’s implicit credit spread.
Revenue recognition
The Company recognizes revenue as earned when the following four criteria have been met: (i) when persuasive evidence
of an arrangement exists, (ii) the product has been delivered to a customer and title has been transferred or the services
have been rendered, (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collection is reasonably assured. In addition to
this general policy, the following paragraphs describe the specific revenue recognition policies for each of the Company’s
major categories of revenue.
Hardware
Revenue for hardware products is recognized when the four criteria noted above are met. The determination of when the
price is fixed or determinable can affect the timing of revenue recognition, as discussed further below.
5
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The Company records reductions to revenue for estimated commitments related to price protection, rights of return and
customer incentive programs. Price protection is accrued as a reduction to revenue provided that (i) the future price
reduction can be reliably estimated or based on contractual caps, (ii) the Company has not granted refunds in excess of
those caps, and (iii) all other revenue recognition criteria have been met. If refunds cannot be reliably estimated or the
contractual cap is no longer valid, revenue is not recognized until reliable estimates can be made or the price protection
period lapses. The Company also records reductions to revenue for rights of return based on contractual terms and
conditions as it relates to quality defects only and, if the expected product returns can be reasonably and reliably
estimated, based on historical experience. Where a right of return cannot be reasonably and reliably estimated, the
Company recognizes revenue when the product sells through to an end user or the return period lapses. The estimated cost
of customer incentive programs is accrued as a reduction to revenue and is recognized at the later of the date at which the
Company has recognized the revenue or the date at which the program is offered. If historical experience cannot support a
breakage rate, the maximum rebate amount is accrued and adjusted when the incentive programs end. The Company
considers several factors in determining whether it can reliably estimate future refunds or customer incentives such as
levels of channel inventory, new competitor introductions, the stage of a product in the product life cycle, and potential
cannibalization by future product offerings. If there is a risk of future pricing concessions and a reliable estimate cannot
be made at the time of shipment, the Company recognizes the related revenue and costs of goods sold when its products
are sold through to an end user.
For shipments where the Company recognizes revenue when the product is sold through to an end user, the Company
determines the point at which that happens based upon internally generated reporting indicating when the devices are
activated on the Company’s relay infrastructure.
Significant judgment is applied by the Company to determine whether shipments of devices have met the Company’s
revenue recognition criteria, as the analysis is dependent on many facts and circumstances. Commencing in fiscal 2016,
the Company was able to conclude that the price was fixed or determinable on shipment in certain cases and, therefore,
the four criteria for revenue recognition were met upon shipment. As such, sales of the Company’s Android device to
wireless carriers in certain regions, sales of the Company’s latest BlackBerry 10 devices to wireless carriers in certain
regions, and sales of BlackBerry 7 devices to wireless carriers in certain regions are recognized as revenue at the time of
shipment. Other shipments of Android, BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry 7 devices are recognized as revenue when the
devices sell through to end users.
Service Access Fees
Revenue from service access fees is recognized ratably on a monthly basis when the service is provided. In instances
where the Company bills the customer prior to performing the service, the pre-billing is recorded as deferred revenue.
Service access fee revenue also includes the recognition of previously deferred revenue related to multi-element
arrangements for non-software services and software upgrade rights related to BlackBerry 10 devices.
Software and Services
Revenue from term licensed software and value added services is recognized upon delivery or ratably over the license or
subscription term. Revenue from perpetual licenses are recognized over the estimated customer life. When an arrangement
includes both term and perpetual software licenses, all revenue is recognized ratably over the longer of the service
delivery periods applicable to the term and perpetual software licenses. All of the deliverables under these licenses are
deemed to have been made in accordance with industry-specific software revenue recognition accounting guidance.
When the VSOE of fair value of a delivered element has not been established, the Company uses the residual method to
recognize revenue if the VSOE of fair value of undelivered elements is determinable. Revenue from software
maintenance, unspecified upgrades and technical support contracts is recognized over the period that such items are
delivered or those services are provided.
Revenue from professional services can be part of software license arrangements or sold separately. When professional
services are sold as part of software license arrangements, amortization of revenue for the entire transaction does not
commence until completion and acceptance of these professional services, as delivery is not considered to have occurred
until such time. Revenue from professional services sold separately from software licenses is recognized upon completion
of the services.
Revenue from renewals of support and maintenance contracts is recognized ratably over the contract term.
The Company’s outbound patent licensing agreements provide for license fees that may be a single upfront payment or
multiple payments representing all or a majority of the licensing revenue that will be payable to the Company. These
agreements grant (i) a limited non-exclusive, non-transferable license to certain of the Company’s patents, (ii) a covenant
6
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
not to enforce patent rights against the licensee, and (iii) the release of the licensee from certain claims. Revenue from
patent licensing agreements is recorded when the four major criteria of revenue recognition noted above are met. These
criteria are generally fulfilled upon mutual signing of the license agreement.
From time to time, the Company may sell patents which are typically non-strategic to the Company’s product and patent
portfolio. These patent sales are a part of the technology and patent licensing strategy, and therefore represent a
component of the Company’s major or central operations. Revenue from patent sales is recorded when the four major
criteria of revenue recognition noted above are met. These criteria are generally fulfilled upon closing of the patent sale
transaction.
Shipping and handling Costs
Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are classified as revenue, and the Company’s shipping and
handling costs are included in cost of sales. Shipping and handling costs that cannot be reasonably attributed to certain
customers are included in selling, marketing and administration.
Multiple-element arrangements
The Company enters into revenue arrangements that may consist of multiple deliverables of its product and service
offerings. The Company’s typical multiple-element arrangements involve: (i) BlackBerry 7 or earlier handheld devices
with services, (ii) BlackBerry 10 or Android handheld devices with unspecified software upgrades on a when-and-if
available basis along with undelivered non-software services, and (iii) software with technical support services.
For the Company’s arrangements involving multiple deliverables of BlackBerry 7 or earlier handheld devices with
services, the consideration from the arrangement is allocated to each respective element based on its relative selling price,
using VSOE. In certain limited instances when the Company is unable to establish the selling price using VSOE, the
Company attempts to establish the selling price of each element based on acceptable third-party evidence of selling price
(“TPE”); however, the Company is generally unable to reliably determine the selling prices of similar competitor products
and services on a stand-alone basis. In these instances, the Company uses BESP in its allocation of arrangement
consideration. The objective of BESP is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if the product
or service was sold on a stand-alone basis.
Beginning in November 2015, the Company introduced Android devices which uses the Company’s network
infrastructure in a manner similar to its BlackBerry 10 devices. For arrangements involving multiple deliverables
including the BlackBerry 10 or Android device and the essential operating system software, as well as unspecified
software upgrade rights and non-software services for which the Company may not charge for separately, the
consideration from the arrangement is allocated to each respective element based on the relative selling price, using the
Company’s BESP, as the device, unspecified upgrade rights and non-software services are no longer sold separately. The
consideration for the delivered hardware and the related essential operating system software are recognized at the time of
sale provided that the four general revenue recognition criteria have been met. The consideration allocated to the
unspecified software upgrade rights and non-software services is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the
estimated period during which the software upgrades and non-software services are expected to be provided.
For arrangements involving multiple deliverables of software with technical support services, the revenue is recognized
based on the industry-specific software revenue recognition accounting guidance. If the Company is not able to determine
VSOE for all of the deliverables of the arrangement, but is able to obtain VSOE for all undelivered elements, revenue is
allocated using the residual method. Under the residual method, the amount of revenue allocated to delivered elements
equals the total arrangement consideration, less the aggregate fair value of any undelivered elements. If VSOE of any
undelivered software items does not exist, revenue from the entire arrangement is initially deferred and recognized at the
earlier of: (i) delivery of those elements for which VSOE did not exist; or (ii) when VSOE can be established.
The Company determines BESP for a product or service by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to,
historical pricing practices for similar offerings, market conditions, competitive landscape, internal costs, gross margin
objectives and pricing practices. The determination of BESP is made through consultation with, and formal approval by,
the Company’s management, taking into consideration the Company’s marketing strategy. The Company regularly
reviews VSOE, TPE and BESP, and maintains internal controls over the establishment and updates of these estimates.
Based on the above factors, the Company’s BESP for the unspecified software upgrade right and non-software services
ranges from $4 to $20 per device based on the operating system and the region in which the service is provided.
7
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
Income taxes
The Company uses the liability method of income tax allocation to account for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets
and liabilities are recognized based upon temporary differences between the financial reporting and income tax bases of
assets and liabilities, and measured using enacted income tax rates and tax laws that will be in effect when the differences
are expected to reverse. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount
that is more likely than not to be realized. The Company considers both positive evidence and negative evidence, to
determine whether, based upon the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is required. Judgment is required in
considering the relative impact of negative and positive evidence.
Significant judgment is also required in evaluating the Company’s uncertain income tax positions and provisions for
income taxes. Liabilities for uncertain income tax positions are recognized based on a two-step approach. The first step is
to evaluate whether an income tax position has met the recognition threshold by determining if the weight of available
evidence indicates that it is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination. The second step is to measure the
income tax position that has met the recognition threshold as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being
realized upon settlement. The Company continually assesses the likelihood and amount of potential adjustments and
adjusts the income tax provisions, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes in the period in which the facts that
give rise to a revision become known. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax
positions as interest expense, which is then netted and reported within investment income.
The Company uses the flow-through method to account for investment tax credits (“ITCs”) earned on eligible scientific
research and experimental development expenditures. Under this method, the ITCs are recognized as a reduction to
income tax expense.
The Company has adopted ASC 740-10-65-4 Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Income Taxes and this has been
prospectively applied starting in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.
Research and development
Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development costs for BlackBerry devices and licensed software to be sold,
leased or otherwise marketed are subject to capitalization beginning when a product’s technological feasibility has been
established and ending when a product is available for general release to customers. The Company’s products are
generally released soon after technological feasibility has been established and therefore costs incurred subsequent to
achievement of technological feasibility are not significant and have been expensed as incurred.
Comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in net assets of a business enterprise during a period from
transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources and includes all changes in equity during a
period, except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. The Company’s reportable items
of comprehensive income (loss) are the cumulative translation adjustment resulting from non-U.S. dollar functional
currency subsidiaries as described under the foreign currency translation policy above, cash flow hedges as described in
Note 5, and changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments as described in Notes 3 and 4. Realized gains or
losses on available-for-sale investments are reclassified into investment income using the specific identification basis.
Earnings (loss) per share
Earnings (loss) per share is calculated based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the
fiscal year. The treasury stock method is used for the calculation of the dilutive effect of stock options. The if-converted
method is used for the dilutive effect of the Debentures.
Stock-based compensation plans
The Company has stock-based compensation plans. Awards granted under the plans are detailed in Note 11(b).
The Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) was adopted during fiscal 2014 and replaced the Company’s previous
Equity Incentive Plan and Restricted Share Unit Plan (the “Prior Plans”). Awards previously granted under the Prior Plans
continue to be governed by the terms of the Prior Plans and by any amendments approved by the Company’s Board of
Directors (the “Board”). The Equity Plan provides for the grants of incentive stock options and restricted share units
(“RSUs”) to officers and employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. The number of common shares authorized under
the Equity Plan was originally 13,375,000 calculated at March 2, 2013, and increased by 8,000,000 common shares to
21,375,000 common shares, as approved by shareholders of the Company on June 23, 2015. Any shares that are subject
to options granted after fiscal 2013 are counted against this limit as 0.625 share for every one option granted, and any
8
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
shares that are subject to RSUs granted after fiscal 2013 are counted against this limit as one share for every RSU.
Awards previously granted under the Prior Plans and the Equity Plan that expire or are forfeited, or settled in cash, are
added to the shares available under the Equity Plan. Options forfeited will be counted as 0.625 shares to the shares
available under the Equity Plan. Shares issued as awards other than options (i.e., RSUs) that expire or are forfeited, settled
in cash or sold to cover withholding tax requirements are counted as one share added to the shares available under the
Equity Plan. In addition to awards under the Equity Plan, 10,521,418 RSUs were granted to Mr. Chen as an inducement
to enter into a contract of full-time employment.
The Company measures stock-based compensation expense for options at the grant date based on the award’s fair value as
calculated by the Black-Scholes-Merton (“BSM”) option pricing model for stock options and the expense is recognized
rateably over the vesting period. The BSM model requires various judgmental assumptions including volatility and
expected option life. In addition, judgment is also applied in estimating the number of stock-based awards that are
expected to be forfeited, and if actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense
and the Company’s results of operations would be impacted.
Any consideration paid by employees on exercise of stock options, plus any recorded stock-based compensation within
additional paid-in capital related to that stock option, is credited to capital stock.
RSUs are redeemed for common shares issued by the Company or the cash equivalent on the vesting dates established by
the Board or the Compensation, Nomination and Governance Committee of the Board. The RSUs generally vest over a
three-year period, either in equal annual installments or on the third anniversary date. The Company classifies RSUs as
equity instruments as the Company has the ability and intent to settle the awards in common shares. The compensation
expense for standard RSUs is calculated based on the fair value of each RSU as determined by the closing value of the
Company’s common shares on the business day of the grant date. The Company recognizes compensation expense over
the vesting period of the RSU.
Upon vesting of RSUs, new common shares will be issued by the Company from treasury.
The Company has a Deferred Share Unit Plan (the “DSU Plan”), originally approved by the Board on December 20, 2007,
under which each independent director is credited with Deferred Share Units (“DSUs”) in satisfaction of all or a portion
of the cash fees otherwise payable to them for serving as a director of the Company. At a minimum, 60% of each
independent director’s annual retainer will be satisfied in the form of DSUs. After his or her first year of service, a director
can elect to receive the remaining 40% in any combination of cash and DSUs. Within a specified period after such a
director ceases to be a director, DSUs will be redeemed for cash with the redemption value of each DSU equal to the
weighted average trading price of the Company’s shares over the five trading days preceding the redemption date.
Alternatively, the Company may elect to redeem DSUs by way of shares purchased on the open market or issued by the
Company.
DSUs are accounted for as liability-classified awards and are awarded on a quarterly basis. These awards are measured at
their fair value on the date of issuance and re-measured at each reporting period until settlement.
Advertising costs
The Company expenses all advertising costs as incurred. These costs are included in selling, marketing and
administration.
2. ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new accounting standard on the topic of
revenue contracts, which replaces the existing revenue recognition standard. The new standard amends the number of
requirements that an entity must consider in recognizing revenue and requires improved disclosures to help readers of
financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue recognized. For public
entities, the new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim
periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted for annual reporting periods and interim periods therein
beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and is
currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standards update on the topic of debt issuance costs. The amendments in
this update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a
direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The amendments are
effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting
9
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
period. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company will adopt
this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its
financial position and disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standards update on the topic of internal-use software. The amendments
in this update provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license.
The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods
within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of
fiscal 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position
and disclosures.
In June 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standards update for technical corrections and improvements that affect
a wide variety of topics in the codification. The amendments in this update correct unintended application of guidance,
make minor improvements, and provide clarification to the codification. The amendments that require transition guidance
are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that
reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and
is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and
disclosures.
In July 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard update on the topic of inventory. The amendments in this update
provide guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and
net realizable value for entities using the first-in, first-out or the average cost method. The amendments in this update are
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. It should
be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of the interim or annual reporting period.
The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact that the
adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In September 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of business combinations. The amendments
in this update require the acquirer who has reported provisional amounts for items in a business combination to recognize
adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period, in the reporting period in which the
adjustments are determined. The update requires that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the
effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the
provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The prior period impact
of the adjustment should be either presented separately on the face of the income statement or disclosed in the notes. The
guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted
and should be applied prospectively. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and is
currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In November 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of income taxes. The amendments in this
update eliminate the current requirement for companies to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current
and non-current amounts in a classified statement of financial position. Instead, companies will be required to classify all
deferred tax liabilities and assets as non-current. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has adopted this guidance early and applied it
prospectively in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.
In January 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of financial instruments. The amendments in
this update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The
standard primarily affects the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the
presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the guidance clarifies that an entity should
evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities. The guidance is
effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for certain
requirements. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and is currently evaluating the
impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of leases. The new standards would require
companies and other organizations to include lease obligations in their balance sheets, including a dual approach for
lessee accounting under which a lessee would account for leases as finance leases or operating leases. Both finance leases
and operating leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding lease liability.
For finance leases the lessee would recognize interest expense and amortization of the ROU asset, and for operating
leases, the lessee would recognize a straight-line total lease expense. The guidance is effective for interim and annual
10
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the
first quarter of fiscal 2020 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations,
financial position and disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of revenue from contracts with customers. The
amendments in this update clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. When another
party, along with the reporting entity, is involved in providing goods or services to a customer, an entity is required to
determine whether the nature of its promise is to provide that good or service to the customer (as a principal) or to arrange
for the good or service to be provided to the customer by the other party (as an agent). The guidance is effective for
interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter
of fiscal 2019 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial
position and disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of stock compensation. The amendments in this
update simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including the income tax
consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statements of cash flows.
The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted.
The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact that the
adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
3. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS
The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an
orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements
for assets and liabilities required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous
market in which it would transact and considers assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or
liability, such as inherent risk, non-performance risk and credit risk. The Company applies the following fair value
hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value into three levels:
•
•
•
Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices at the measurement date for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar
assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets
that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 - Significant unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.
The fair value hierarchy also requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of
unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
11
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The components of cash, cash equivalents and investments by fair value level as at February 29, 2016 were as follows:
Cost Basis
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Other-than-
temporary
Impairment
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Fair Value
Short-term
Investments
Long-term
Investments
Restricted
Cash
$
603
$ — $ —
— $
603
$
600
$ — $ — $
Bank balances
Other investments
Level 1:
Auction rate securities
Level 2:
Term deposits,
certificates of
deposits, and GICs
Bankers’ acceptances
Commercial paper
Non-U.S. promissory
notes
U.S. government
sponsored enterprise
notes
Non-U.S. government
sponsored enterprise
notes
Non-U.S. treasury
bills/notes
U.S. treasury bills/
notes
Level 3:
Corporate notes/bonds
Auction rate securities
3
—
3
—
47
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
47
—
—
—
50
—
—
52
655
—
600
(1)
10
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
122
73
402
175
104
232
395
435
1,938
2
19
—
(4)
(4)
21
(5) $ 2,624
—
73
104
65
—
—
115
—
357
—
—
—
—
—
10
75
—
298
110
104
232
280
311
1,410
—
—
—
52
52
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
124
124
2
19
21
$
957
$ 1,420
$
197
$
52
655
10
122
73
402
175
104
232
395
435
1,938
2
21
23
$ 2,626
$
—
—
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
2
2
3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$ — $
12
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The components of cash, cash equivalents and investments by fair value level as at February 28, 2015 were as follows:
Bank balances
Other investments
Level 1:
Money market funds
Level 2:
Term deposits,
certificates of
deposits, and GICs
Commercial paper
Non-U.S. promissory
notes
Non-U.S. government
sponsored enterprise
notes
U.S. government
sponsored enterprise
notes
Non-U.S. treasury
bills/notes
U.S. treasury bills/
notes
Corporate notes/bonds
Level 3:
Corporate notes/bonds
Auction rate securities
Cost Basis
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Other-than-
temporary
Impairment
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Fair Value
Short-term
Investments
Long-term
Investments
Restricted
Cash
$
765
$ — $ — $ — $
765
$
765
$ — $ — $ —
66
831
1
218
710
100
49
149
244
915
8
2,393
3
41
44
$ 3,269
$
—
—
—
1
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
1
—
2
2
3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$ — $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
66
831
1
219
710
100
49
149
244
915
8
2,394
3
37
—
(6)
(6)
40
(6) $ 3,266
—
765
1
76
240
—
—
—
151
—
—
467
—
—
—
—
—
—
84
470
100
49
149
93
705
8
1,658
—
—
—
66
66
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
210
—
210
3
37
40
$ 1,233
$ 1,658
$
316
$
—
—
—
59
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
59
—
—
—
59
As at February 29, 2016, the Company’s other investments consisted of cost method investments of $52 million
(February 28, 2015 - $52 million) and equity method investments of nil (February 28, 2015 - $14 million). During the
fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, the Company received a distribution of proceeds out of one of its equity method
investments in the amount of approximately $134 million and recorded investment income of $115 million (pre-tax and
after-tax).
The Company has restricted cash, consisting of cash and securities pledged as collateral to major banking partners in
support of the Company’s requirements for letters of credit. These letters of credit support certain leasing arrangements
entered into in the ordinary course of business, for terms ranging from one month to eight years. The Company is legally
restricted from accessing these funds during the term of the leases for which the letters of credit have been issued;
however, the Company can continue to invest the funds and receive investment income thereon.
During the year ended February 29, 2016, the Company recognized realized gains on available-for-sale securities of $1
million (year ended February 28, 2015 - $6 million, year ended March 1, 2014 - nil). The Company has not recognized
any realized losses on available-for-sale securities in the last three years.
13
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The contractual maturities of available-for-sale investments as at February 29, 2016 were as follows:
Due in one year or less
Due in one to five years
Due after five years
Cost Basis
Fair Value
1,822
$
1,823
127
17
127
19
1,966
$
1,969
$
$
As at February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, the Company had no investments with continuous unrealized losses.
The Company engages in limited securities lending to generate fee income. Collateral, which exceeds the market value of
the loaned securities, is retained by the Company until the underlying security has been returned to the Company. As at
February 29, 2016, the Company had no loaned securities (February 28, 2015 - loaned securities with a market value of
$85 million).
Auction rate securities which have been publicly called at par were valued at par and considered short term investments
on the consolidated balance sheets as at February 29, 2016. For the other auction rate securities, the Company used a
multi-year investment horizon and considered the underlying risk of the securities and the current market interest rate
environment. The Company has the ability and intent to hold these securities until such time that market liquidity returns
to normal levels, and does not consider the principal or interest amounts on these securities to be materially at risk. As
there is uncertainty as to when market liquidity for auction rate securities will return to normal, the Company has
classified the auction rate securities as long-term investments on the consolidated balance sheets as at February 29, 2016
and February 28, 2015.
4.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
For a description of the fair value hierarchy, please see Note 3.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts
payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities.
In determining the fair value of investments held (other than those classified as Level 3), the Company primarily relies on
an independent third party valuator for the fair valuation of securities. Pricing inputs used by the independent third party
valuator are generally received from two primary vendors. The pricing inputs are reviewed for completeness and
accuracy, within a set tolerance level, on a daily basis by the independent third party valuator. The Company also reviews
and understands the inputs used in the valuation process and assesses the pricing of the securities for reasonableness after
conducting its own internal collection of quoted prices from brokers. Fair values for all investment categories provided by
the independent third party valuator that are in excess of 0.5% from the fair values determined by the Company are
communicated to the independent third party valuator for consideration of reasonableness. The independent third party
valuator considers the information provided by the Company before determining whether a change in the original pricing
is warranted.
The Company’s investments (other than those classified as Level 3) largely consist of securities issued by major corporate
and banking organizations, the provincial and federal governments of Canada and the United States Department of the
Treasury, and are all investment grade.
For a description of how the fair value of currency forward contracts and currency option contracts and the fair value of
the Debentures have been determined, please see the “Derivative financial instruments” and “Convertible debentures”
accounting policies in Note 1.
14
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets for the years ended
February 28, 2015 and February 29, 2016:
Balance at March 1, 2014
Principal payments
Change in fair value
Balance at February 28, 2015
Principal repayments
Change in fair value
Transfers out of Level 3 to Level 1
Balance at February 29, 2016
Level 3
40
(2)
2
40
(12)
3
(10)
21
$
$
The Company recognizes transfers in and out of levels within the fair value hierarchy at the end of the reporting period in
which the actual event or change in circumstance occurred. During the year ended February 29, 2016, $10 million of
auction rate securities were publicly called at par with settlement dates in March of 2016 and transferred from Level 3 to
Level 1. There were no significant transfers in or out of Level 3 assets during the year ended February 28, 2015.
The Company’s Level 3 assets measured on a recurring basis include auction rate securities as well as corporate notes/
bonds consisting of securities received in a payment-in-kind distribution from a former structured investment vehicle.
The auction rate securities are valued using a discounted cash flow method incorporating both observable and
unobservable inputs. The unobservable inputs utilized in the valuation are the estimated weighted average life of each
security based on its contractual details and expected pay down schedule based upon the underlying collateral, the value
of the underlying collateral which would be realized in the event of a waterfall event, an estimate of the likelihood of a
waterfall event, an estimate of the likelihood of a permanent auction suspension, and an estimate of the likelihood of the
securities being called at par. Significant changes in these unobservable inputs would result in significantly different fair
value measurements. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the probability of a waterfall event is accompanied
by a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for the probability of a permanent auction suspension. A
waterfall event occurs if the funded reserves of the securities become insufficient to make the interest payments, resulting
in the disbursement of the securities’ underlying collateral to the security holders.
The following table presents the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the auction rate
securities, as well as the impact on the fair value measurement resulting from a significant increase or decrease in each
input in isolation:
As at February
29, 2016
Auction rate
securities
Fair
Value
Valuation
Technique
$
19
Discounted
cash flow
Unobservable Input
Range (weighted average)
Effect of Significant
Increase/(Decrease) in
Input on Fair Value
Weighted average life
17 years
(Decrease)/increase
Collateral value (as a % of fair
value)
Probability of waterfall event
Probability of permanent
suspension of auction
Probability of being called at
par
139%
10%
5%
25%
Increase/(decrease)
Increase/(decrease)
(Decrease)/increase
Increase/(decrease)
15
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
5. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The notional amounts and fair values of financial instruments outstanding were as follows:
Derivative Assets (1):
Currency forward contracts
Currency option contracts
Total
Derivative Liabilities (1):
Currency forward contracts
Currency option contracts
Total
Balance Sheet
Location
Other current assets
Other current assets
Accrued liabilities
Accrued liabilities
Currency option contracts - premium
Accumulated other
comprehensive loss
As at February 29, 2016
Fair Value of
Derivatives
Designated as
Cash Flow
Hedges
Fair Value of
Derivatives Not
Subject to
Hedge
Accounting
Total
Estimated Fair
Value
Notional
Amount
$
$
$
$
$
— $
1
1
$
— $
—
— $
2
$
—
2
$
(2) $
—
(2) $
2
1
3
$
$
(2) $
—
(2) $
118
43
161
166
23
189
(2) $
— $
(2) $
—
______________________________
(1) The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities are measured using Level 2 fair value inputs.
Balance Sheet
Location
Derivative Assets (1):
Currency forward contracts Other current assets
Currency option contracts Other current assets
Total
Derivative Liabilities (1):
Currency forward contracts Accrued liabilities
Currency option contracts Accrued liabilities
Total
As at February 28, 2015
Fair Value of
Derivatives
Designated as
Cash Flow
Hedges
Fair Value of
Derivatives Not
Designated as
Cash Flow
Hedges
Fair Value of
Derivatives Not
Subject to
Hedge
Accounting
Total
Estimated Fair
Value
Notional
Amount
$
$
$
$
— $
—
— $
(13) $
(13)
(26) $
19
11
30
$
$
(4) $
(1)
(5) $
61
—
61
$
$
(4) $
—
(4) $
80
11
91
$
$
1,171
112
1,283
(21) $
(14)
(35) $
654
134
788
______________________________
(1) The fair values of derivative assets and liabilities are measured using Level 2 fair value inputs.
Foreign Exchange
The Company’s currency risk management objective in holding derivative instruments is to reduce the volatility of current
and future income as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To limit its exposure to adverse movements
in foreign currency exchange rates, the Company enters into foreign currency forward and option contracts.
The majority of the Company’s revenue for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 were transacted in U.S. dollars.
However, portions of the revenue are denominated in Canadian dollars, Euros, and British pounds. Purchases of raw
materials are primarily transacted in U.S. dollars. Other expenses, consisting of the majority of salaries, certain operating
costs and manufacturing overhead, are incurred primarily in Canadian dollars. The Company enters into forward and
option contracts to hedge portions of these anticipated transactions to reduce the volatility on income associated with the
16
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
foreign currency exposures. The Company also enters into forward and option contracts to reduce the effects of foreign
exchange gains and losses resulting from the revaluation of certain foreign currency monetary assets and liabilities. As at
February 29, 2016, approximately 10% of cash and cash equivalents, 30% of accounts receivable and 16% of accounts
payable and accrued liabilities are denominated in foreign currencies (February 28, 2015 – 26%, 30% and 13%,
respectively).
Please see “Derivative financial instruments” in Note 1 for the Company’s accounting policies on these instruments.
As at February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, the outstanding derivatives designated as cash flow hedges were
considered to be fully effective. The maturity dates of these instruments range from March 2016 to July 2016. As at
February 29, 2016, the net unrealized loss on these forward and option contracts (including option premiums paid) was $1
million (February 28, 2015 - net unrealized loss of $26 million). Unrealized gains associated with these contracts were
recorded in other current assets and AOCI. Unrealized losses were recorded in accrued liabilities and AOCI. Option
premiums were recorded in AOCI. As at February 29, 2016, the Company estimates that approximately $1 million of net
unrealized losses, including option premiums on these forward and option contracts, will be reclassified into income
within the next 12 months. For the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, there were no realized
gains or losses on forward contracts which were ineffective upon maturity.
The following table shows the impact of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated
statements of operations and the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss for the year ended February 29, 2016:
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Other
Comprehensive Income on
Derivative Instruments
(Effective Portion)
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
AOCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
Currency forward contracts
Currency option contracts
Total
$
$
— Selling, marketing and administration
(1) Selling, marketing and administration
(1)
$
$
(20)
(10)
(30)
The following table shows the impact of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges on the consolidated
statements of operations and the consolidated statements of comprehensive loss for the year ended February 28, 2015:
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in Other
Comprehensive Income on
Derivative Instruments
(Effective Portion)
Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified
from AOCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
AOCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
Currency forward contracts
Currency option contracts
Currency forward contracts
Currency option contracts
Currency forward contracts
Currency option contracts
Total
$
$
(2) Cost of sales
(1) Cost of sales
(3) Selling, marketing and administration
(7) Selling, marketing and administration
(8) Research and development
(5) Research and development
(26)
$
$
(1)
(1)
(5)
(4)
(3)
(1)
(15)
The Company has also occasionally entered into other forward and option contracts hedging anticipated foreign currency
transactions which it did not designate as cash flow hedges. Any realized and unrealized gains and losses on these
contracts are recognized in income each period. As at February 29, 2016, there were no unrealized gains or losses
recorded in respect of these instruments (February 28, 2015 - unrealized gains of $25 million). Unrealized gains
associated with these contracts were recorded in other current assets and selling, marketing and administration expenses.
Unrealized losses were recorded in accrued liabilities and selling, marketing and administration expenses.
As part of its currency risk management strategy, the Company may maintain net monetary asset and/or liability balances
in foreign currencies. The Company enters into foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain monetary assets and
liabilities that are exposed to foreign currency risk. The principal currencies hedged include the Canadian dollar, Euro,
and British pound. These contracts are not subject to hedge accounting, and any realized and unrealized gains or losses are
recognized in income each period, offsetting the change in the U.S. dollar value of the asset or liability. The maturity dates
of these instruments range from March 2016 to June 2016. As at February 29, 2016, net unrealized gains (net of premium
17
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
paid) of nil were recorded in respect of these instruments (February 28, 2015 - net unrealized gains of $57 million).
Unrealized gains associated with these contracts were recorded in other current assets and selling, marketing and
administration expenses. Unrealized losses were recorded in accrued liabilities and selling, marketing and administration
expenses.
The following table shows the impact of derivative instruments that are not subject to hedge accounting on the
consolidated statements of operations for the years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015:
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in
Income on Derivative Instruments
Currency forward contracts
Selling, marketing and administration
Currency option contracts
Total
Selling, marketing and administration
Amount of Gain (Loss) in
Income on Derivative Instruments
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
$
$
44
(4)
40
$
$
156
11
167
For information concerning the impact of foreign exchange on the consolidated statement of operations net of the above
derivative instruments, please see Note 16.
Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to credit risk on derivative financial instruments arising from the potential for counterparties to
default on their contractual obligations. The Company mitigates this risk by limiting counterparties to highly rated
financial institutions and by continuously monitoring their creditworthiness. The Company’s exposure to credit loss and
market risk will vary over time as a function of currency exchange rates. The Company measures its counterparty credit
exposure as a percentage of the total fair value of the applicable derivative instruments. Where the net fair value of
derivative instruments with any counterparty is negative, the Company deems the credit exposure to that counterparty to
be nil. As at February 29, 2016, the maximum credit exposure to a single counterparty, measured as a percentage of the
total fair value of derivative instruments with net unrealized gains, was 82% (February 28, 2015 - 47%; March 1, 2014 -
100%). As at February 29, 2016, the Company had a total credit risk exposure across all counterparties with outstanding
or unsettled foreign exchange derivative instruments of $1 million on a notional value of $291 million (February 28, 2015
- $56 million total credit risk exposure on a notional value of $2.1 billion).
The Company maintains Credit Support Annexes (“CSAs”) with several of its counterparties. These CSAs require the
outstanding net position of all contracts be made whole by the paying or receiving of collateral to or from the
counterparties on a daily basis, subject to exposure and transfer thresholds. As at February 29, 2016, the Company had
posted $2 million of collateral to counterparties (February 28, 2015 - collateral held of $15 million), which approximated
the fair value of those contracts. As with the derivatives recorded in an unrealized loss position, this amount is recorded in
accrued liabilities.
The Company is exposed to market and credit risk on its investment portfolio. The Company reduces this risk by
investing in liquid, investment grade securities and by limiting exposure to any one entity or group of related entities. As
at February 29, 2016, the maximum exposure to a single entity was approximately 17% of the total cash, cash equivalents
and investments (February 28, 2015 - maximum exposure of approximately 28%), and that entity was the United States
Department of the Treasury.
Interest Rate Risk
Cash and cash equivalents and investments are invested in certain instruments of varying maturities. Consequently, the
Company is exposed to interest rate risk as a result of holding investments of varying maturities. The fair value of
investments, as well as the investment income derived from the investment portfolio, will fluctuate with changes in
prevailing interest rates. The Company has also issued the Debentures with a fixed interest rate. The fair value of the
Debentures will fluctuate with changes in prevailing interest rates. Consequently, the Company is exposed to interest rate
risk as a result of the long term of the Debentures. The Company does not currently utilize interest rate derivative
instruments to hedge its investment portfolio.
18
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
6. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS DETAILS
Accounts receivable, net
The allowance for doubtful accounts as at February 29, 2016 was $10 million (February 28, 2015 - $10 million).
There were no customers that comprised more than 10% of accounts receivable as at February 29, 2016 (February 28,
2015 – no customers that comprised more than 10%).
Inventories
Inventories comprised the following:
Raw materials
Work in process
Finished goods
As at
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
$
$
$
46
32
65
143
$
11
62
49
122
See “Inventories” in Note 1 for a description of the Company’s accounting policies regarding inventory.
During fiscal 2016, the Company recorded primarily non-cash, pre-tax charges of approximately $36 million relating to
the write-down of certain inventories and a recovery in supply commitments of $3 million (fiscal 2015 - $95 million in
inventory write-down and $33 million recovery in supply commitments).
During fiscal 2014, the Company shipped devices to its carrier and distributor partners to support new and continuing
product launches and meet expected levels of end customer demand. However, the sell-through levels for BlackBerry 10
smartphones decreased significantly during fiscal 2014 due to the maturing smartphone market, very intense competition
and, the Company believes, the uncertainty created by the Company’s strategic review process. These factors caused the
number of BlackBerry 10 devices in the channel to increase above the Company’s expectations, which in turn caused the
Company to reassess and revise its future demand assumptions for finished products, semi-finished goods and raw
materials. The Company also made the decision to cancel plans to launch two devices to mitigate the identified inventory
risk. Based on these revised demand assumptions, the Company recorded primarily non-cash, pre-tax charges of $1.6
billion against inventory and $782 million in supply commitment charges related to BlackBerry 10 devices.
Other current assets
Other current assets include items such as deferred cost of sales and prepaid expenses, among other items, none of which
were greater than 5% of the current assets balance in all years presented.
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment comprised the following:
Cost
Land
Buildings, leasehold improvements and other
BlackBerry operations and other information technology
Manufacturing equipment, research and development equipment and tooling
Furniture and fixtures
Accumulated amortization
Net book value
19
As at
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
$
26
$
397
1,183
120
18
1,744
1,332
$
412
$
26
423
1,236
211
20
1,916
1,360
556
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
For the year ended February 29, 2016, amortization expense related to property, plant and equipment amounted to $124
million (February 28, 2015 - $184 million; March 1, 2014 - $532 million).
Intangible assets, net
Intangible assets comprised the following:
Acquired technology
Intellectual property
Other acquired intangibles
Acquired technology
Intellectual property
Other acquired intangibles
As at February 29, 2016
Cost
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Book
Value
677
$
1,437
197
$
367
704
27
310
733
170
2,311
$
1,098
$
1,213
As at February 28, 2015
Cost
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Book
Value
451
$
315
$
2,545
22
1,314
14
3,018
$
1,643
$
136
1,231
8
1,375
$
$
$
$
Other acquired intangibles include items such as customer relationships and brand.
For the year ended February 29, 2016, amortization expense related to intangible assets amounted to $492 million
(February 28, 2015 - $510 million; March 1, 2014 - $738 million).
Total additions to intangible assets in fiscal 2016 amounted to $477 million (fiscal 2015 - $481 million). During fiscal
2016, the additions to intangible assets primarily consisted of acquired technology and other acquired intangibles from
business acquisitions as described in Note 7. Other additions to intangible assets included patent applications and
maintenance and license agreements with third parties for the use of intellectual property.
Based on the carrying value of the identified intangible assets as at February 29, 2016, and assuming no subsequent
impairment of the underlying assets, the annual amortization expense for each of the succeeding years is expected to be as
follows: fiscal 2017 - $270 million; fiscal 2018 - $229 million; fiscal 2019 - $171 million; fiscal 2020 - $153 million; and
fiscal 2021 - $130 million.
The weighted average remaining useful lives of the intangible assets are as follows:
Acquired technology
Intellectual property
Other acquired intangibles
As at
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
4.4 years
7.7 years
6.0 years
3.6 years
5.7 years
3.5 years
Abandonment/impairment of long-lived assets
During fiscal 2016 and as part of its resource alignment program (the “RAP”) as described in Note 8, the Company
completed a targeted review of the individual patents composing its patent portfolio. As a result of this review, the
Company ceased enforcement and abandoned legal right and title to patents with a cost of $592 million, accumulated
amortization of $456 million, and a net book value of approximately $136 million (fiscal 2015 - $49 million, $15 million
and $34 million, respectively).
See “Impairment of long-lived assets” in Note 1 for a description of how LLA impairment is tested. There were no LLA
impairment charges taken in fiscal 2015.
20
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
During fiscal 2014, the Company experienced a significant decline in its share price following its pre-release of its second
quarter fiscal 2014 results on September 20, 2013, as well as its announcement on November 4, 2013 that Fairfax
Financial Holdings Limited (“Fairfax”) and other institutional investors were investing in the Company through the $1.0
billion private placement of the Debentures in lieu of finalizing the purchase of the Company as contemplated in the
previously announced letter of intent. The Company further identified the continuing decline in revenue, the generation of
operating losses and the decrease in cash flows from operations as indicators of potential LLA impairment. Further, the
Company believed that its strategic review process may have increased market uncertainty as to the future viability of the
Company and may have negatively impacted demand for the Company’s products. Accordingly, a cash flow
recoverability test was performed as of November 4, 2013 (the “Measurement Date”). The estimated undiscounted net
cash flows were determined utilizing the Company’s internal forecast and incorporated a terminal value of the Company
utilizing its market capitalization, calculated as the number of the Company’s common shares outstanding as at the interim
testing date multiplied by the average market price of the shares over a 10 day period following the Measurement Date.
The Company used this duration in order to incorporate the inherent market fluctuations that may affect any individual
closing price of the Company’s shares. As a result, the Company concluded that the carrying value of its net assets
exceeded the undiscounted net cash flows as at the Measurement Date. Consequently, step two of the LLA impairment
test was performed whereby the fair values of the Company’s assets were compared to their carrying values. As a result,
the Company recorded a non-cash, pre-tax charge against its LLA of $2.7 billion in fiscal 2014, of which $852 million of
the charge was applicable to property, plant and equipment and $1.9 billion was applicable to intangible assets.
Goodwill
Changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015 were
as follows:
Balance as at March 1, 2014
Goodwill acquired through business combinations during the year (1)
Balance as at February 28, 2015
Effect of foreign exchange on non-U.S. dollar denominated goodwill
Goodwill acquired through business combinations during the year (2)
Balance as at February 29, 2016
______________________________
Carrying Amount
$
$
—
85
85
(7)
540
618
See Note 7 for details on measurement period adjustments affecting goodwill acquired in fiscal 2015.
(1)
(2) See Note 7 for details on the goodwill acquired through business acquisitions in fiscal 2016.
Accrued liabilities
Accrued liabilities comprised the following:
Warranty
Other
As at
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
$
$
33
335
368
$
$
123
544
667
Other accrued liabilities include, among other items, accrued vendor liabilities, accrued royalties, accrued carrier
liabilities, salaries and payroll withholding taxes, and derivative liabilities, none of which were greater than 5% of the
current liabilities balance.
21
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
Product Warranty
The change in the Company’s warranty expense and actual warranty experience from March 2, 2013 to February 29,
2016, as well as the accrued warranty obligations, are set forth in the following table:
Accrued warranty obligations as at March 2, 2013
Actual warranty experience during fiscal 2014
Fiscal 2014 warranty provision
Adjustments for changes in estimate
Accrued warranty obligations as at March 1, 2014
Actual warranty experience during fiscal 2015
Fiscal 2015 warranty provision
Adjustments for changes in estimate
Accrued warranty obligations as at February 28, 2015
Actual warranty experience during fiscal 2016
Fiscal 2016 warranty provision
Adjustments for changes in estimate
Accrued warranty obligations as at February 29, 2016
$
$
318
(357)
270
(27)
204
(140)
82
(23)
123
(44)
39
(85)
33
During fiscal 2016, the Company’s warranty balance declined significantly as a result of changes in estimate, leading to a
recovery of $85 million or $0.16 per share. The change in estimate resulted from a sustained significant decline in the
return rate of the Company’s handheld devices.
7. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
In fiscal 2016, the Company acquired the following businesses:
WatchDox Ltd.
On May 7, 2015, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of WatchDox Ltd. (“WatchDox”), a data
security company offering secure enterprise file-sync-and-share solutions, for approximately $59 million. The acquisition
enhances the Company’s commitment to allow organizations to securely connect employees and corporate information across
all mobile and desktop platforms. WatchDox’s technology is being offered independently and as a value added service through
BES12 that complements the Company’s enterprise mobility management portfolio.
AtHoc, Inc.
On September 22, 2015, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of AtHoc, Inc. (“AtHoc”), a leading
provider of secure networked crisis communications, for approximately $250 million (including $10 million of future post-
combination employment expense). The acquisition of AtHoc enhances the Company’s mission to provide secure
communication solutions and complements the Company’s enterprise portfolio of cross-platform solutions and trusted global
network to enable new capabilities for safety, security and mission-critical business communications.
Good Technology Corporation
On October 30, 2015, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Good Technology Corporation
(“Good”), a provider of secure mobility solutions, including secure applications and containerization that protects end user
privacy, for approximately $425 million (including $2 million of acquisition related costs and $6 million of future post-
combination employment expense). The acquisition further expanded the Company’s ability to offer a unified, secure mobility
platform with applications for any mobile device on any operating system. Good’s technology is being integrated with
BES12, providing multi-platform support for both mobile and desktop operating system devices.
Encription Limited
On February 19, 2016, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Encription Holdings Limited and
Encription Ireland Limited (“Encription”), a cybersecurity firm based in the United Kingdom, for $8 million of cash
consideration. The acquisition will further expand the Company’s security portfolio and, combined with the Company’s
22
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
existing security solutions, help customers identify the latest cybersecurity threats, develop risk appropriate mitigation
strategies, implement and maintain IT security standards and techniques, and defend against the risk of future attacks.
The following table summarizes the preliminary fair value allocations of the acquisition price of the assets acquired and
liabilities assumed during fiscal 2016:
Good
AtHoc
WatchDox
Encription
Total
$
33
$
11
$
3
$
1
$
Non-cash assets acquired
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment, net and other long term
assets
Intangible assets
Acquired technology
Customer relationships
Brand
Other
Goodwill(1)
Liabilities assumed
Current liabilities
Debt
Deferred revenue(2)
Deferred tax liability
Net non-cash assets acquired
Cash acquired
Restricted cash acquired
Net assets acquired
Settlement of acquiree debt(3)
Elimination of bridge loan(4)
Consideration
Cash consideration
Settlement of acquiree debt(3)
Total consideration
Acquisition-related costs (included in selling, general and
administration expenses for the fiscal year ended February 29,
2016)
Future post-combination employment expense
9
148
88
31
9
313
631
54
88
156
7
305
326
23
10
359
88
(30)
417
329
88
417
2
6
3
55
40
3
—
191
303
6
—
15
42
63
240
—
—
240
—
—
240
240
—
240
—
10
48
12
233
132
34
9
540
1,008
64
88
178
49
379
629
27
10
666
88
(30)
724
636
88
724
2
16
—
30
4
—
—
28
65
3
—
7
—
10
55
4
—
59
—
—
59
59
—
59
—
—
59
$
—
—
—
—
—
8
9
1
—
—
—
1
8
—
—
8
—
—
8
8
—
8
—
—
8
Total purchase price
$
425
$
250
$
$
742
______________________________
(1) Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of net assets acquired, which is not
expected to be deductible for tax purposes when goodwill results from share purchases.
(2) The fair value of deferred revenue represents the costs to service the assumed obligations, plus a normal profit
margin as required under purchase accounting.
(3) $88 million in cash was paid to Good’s existing debt holders to settle Good’s debt outstanding at acquisition.
(4) During the three months ended November 28, 2015 and following the signing of the definitive purchase agreement
on September 4, 2015, the Company provided Good with a bridge financing loan of $30 million in cash. The cash
was reacquired on acquisition and the loan was eliminated.
The weighted average amortization period of the acquired technology and customer relationships related to the business
acquisitions completed during the year ended February 29, 2016 is approximately six years and seven years respectively.
23
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The amounts of revenue and net loss before income taxes of the acquisitions above (excluding intercompany amounts)
included in the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended February 29, 2016 are as follows:
Actuals from acquisition date to February 29,
2016
______________________________
Good
WatchDox/AtHoc/
Encription
Total
Revenue(1)
Net loss
before income
taxes(2)
Revenue(1)
Net loss
before income
taxes(2)
Revenue(1)
Net loss
before income
taxes(2)
$
48
$
(8) $
22
$
(11) $
70
$
(19)
(1)
Includes revenue recognized related to deferred revenue, the fair value of which represents the costs to service the
assumed obligations, plus a normal margin, as required under purchase accounting.
(2) Net loss before income taxes reflects costs associated with ongoing integration activities completed after the
acquisition date.
Supplemental Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
The following pro forma combined results for the years ended February 29, 2016, February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014
reflect the consolidated statements of operations of the Company as if the acquisitions of Good, AtHoc, WatchDox and
Encription had occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2014. These results combine the historical results of Good, AtHoc, WatchDox
and Encription’s consolidated statements of operations and are not necessarily indicative of the consolidated results of
operations of the combined business had the acquisitions actually occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2014 or of the results
of future operations of the combined business.
The supplemental pro forma information, as if the acquisitions had occurred on March 3, 2013, is as follows:
Revenue
Net loss
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
$
2,332
$
(297)
3,586
$
(426)
7,007
(6,014)
February 29, 2016, February 28, 2015, and March 1, 2014 supplemental pro forma results were adjusted to exclude $13
million, $20 million and $20 million, respectively of Good revenue which was recognized from the Company.
In fiscal 2015, the Company acquired the following businesses:
Secusmart GmbH
On December 1, 2014, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Secusmart GmbH (“Secusmart”),
a developer of high-security voice and data encryption and anti-eavesdropping solutions, for $82 million in cash and future
contingent consideration with a fair value of $17 million. The acquisition supported the Company’s continued focus on the
government market and regulated industries and strengthened its secure enterprise mobility portfolio by adding a leading
secure voice and text messaging solution with Secusmart’s advanced encryption and anti-eavesdropping capabilities.
Movirtu Limited
On September 8, 2014, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Movirtu Limited (“Movirtu”), a
virtual SIM solutions company based in the United Kingdom, for $32.5 million of cash consideration (including transaction
expenses of $2 million). The acquisition provides the basis for a variety of innovative service offerings, including the WorkLife
by BlackBerry solution that allows an enterprise to provision a work phone number and data plan onto a device with a single
standard SIM card.
Other acquisitions
On July 31, 2014, the Company paid $9 million for all of the assets constituting the business of a provider of cloud-based
software technology allowing users to connect devices and build an ecosystem with their data. With this acquisition, the
Company obtained technology closely aligned to the BlackBerry Internet of Things platform.
24
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The following table summarizes the fair value allocations of the acquisition price of the assets and liabilities acquired
during fiscal 2015:
Assets purchased
Current assets
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Goodwill(1)(4)
Liabilities assumed
Accounts payable
Deferred revenue
Deferred income tax liability
Net non-cash assets acquired
Cash acquired
Net assets acquired
Consideration
Cash consideration
Settlement of acquiree debt(2)
Contingent consideration(3)(4)
$
$
$
$
7
1
71
85
164
2
8
18
28
136
3
139
104
18
17
139
______________________________
(1) Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of net assets acquired, which is not
expected to be deductible for tax purposes when goodwill results from share purchases.
(2) $18 million in cash was paid to existing debt holders as part of the Movirtu acquisition. The Company assumed the
outstanding balance of the debt.
(3) As part of the Secusmart acquisition, the Company agreed to additional consideration contingent upon the
achievement of certain financial targets, the fair value of which has been determined to be $17 million.
(4) See “Measurement period adjustment” below.
The weighted average amortization period of the acquired technology related to the business acquisitions completed
during the year ended February 28, 2015 is approximately five years.
Measurement period adjustment
On December 1, 2014, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Secusmart for $82 million in
cash and an amount of future contingent consideration that was preliminarily determined to be $8 million. Finalization of
purchase accounting determined that the fair value of this contingent consideration at acquisition was $17 million. As a
result, the Company has recorded a measurement period adjustment to goodwill of $9 million, which is presented
retrospectively.
8. RESTRUCTURING
Resource Alignment Program
During fiscal 2016, the Company commenced the RAP for its device software, hardware and applications business with
the objectives of reallocating Company resources to capitalize on growth opportunities, providing the operational ability
to better leverage contract research and development services relating to its handheld devices, and reaching sustainable
profitability. During fiscal 2016, the Company incurred approximately $344 million in total pre-tax charges related to this
program for employee termination benefits, facilities and manufacturing network simplification costs. Other charges and
cash costs may occur as programs are implemented or changes are completed.
25
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s RAP liability for fiscal 2016:
Charges incurred
Cash payments made
Balance as at February 29, 2016
Employee
Termination
Benefits
$
$
73
(61)
12
$
$
Facilities
Costs
Manufacturing
Costs
Other Charges(1)
Total
41
(15)
26
$
$
$
16
(16)
— $
$
6
(6)
— $
136
(98)
38
(1) Other charges consist of costs associated with duplicate redundant systems from acquisitions which are being integrated
into a single solution, and the effect of foreign exchange.
The RAP charges, including non-cash charges incurred in fiscal 2016 were as follows:
Cost of sales
Research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Total RAP charges
$
$
44
47
253
344
As discussed in Note 6, during fiscal 2016 the Company completed a targeted review of the individual patents comprising
its patent portfolio. As a result of this review, the Company ceased enforcement and abandoned legal right and title to a
number of patents, incurring a charge of approximately $136 million relating to the abandonment.
Cost Optimization and Resource Efficiency (“CORE”) Program
In fiscal 2013, the Company commenced the CORE program with the objective of improving the Company’s operations
and increasing efficiency. During fiscal 2016, the Company incurred approximately $11 million in total pre-tax charges
related to the CORE program, related to employee termination benefits, facilities and manufacturing network
simplification costs. During fiscal 2016, the Company made cash payments of $29 million related to the CORE program,
as shown in the table below.
The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s CORE program liability for fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015:
Balance as at March 1, 2014
Charges incurred
Cash payments made
Balance as at February 28, 2015
Charges incurred
Cash payments made
Balance as at February 29, 2016
Employee
Termination
Benefits
Facilities Costs
and Foreign
Exchange
Manufacturing
Costs and Foreign
Exchange
Total
$
$
13
$
96
(106)
3
—
(3)
— $
53
$
26
$
48
(71)
30
12
(26)
16
55
(79)
2
(2)
—
$
— $
92
199
(256)
35
10
(29)
16
The CORE program charges, including non-cash charges incurred in fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, were as
follows:
Cost of sales
Research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Total CORE program charges
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
$
$
— $
2
9
11
$
23
70
229
322
$
$
103
76
333
512
As part of the CORE program, the Company decided to sell certain redundant assets and discontinue certain operations to
drive cost savings and efficiencies in the Company, which included divesting the majority of its Canadian commercial real
estate portfolio (the “Real Estate Sale”) in fiscal 2015. The Company recorded no losses in fiscal 2016 ($12 million in
26
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
fiscal 2015) related to the write-down to fair value less costs to sell of the assets held for sale. All losses on disposal or on
write-down to fair value less costs to sell have been included in the selling, marketing and administration expenses on the
Company’s consolidated statements of operations and included in the total CORE program charges in fiscal 2015 and
prior periods.
In fiscal 2015, the Company completed the Real Estate Sale, offering properties comprising over three million square feet
of space through a combination of sale-leaseback and vacant asset sales. The Company recorded proceeds of
approximately $278 million and incurred a net loss on disposal of approximately $66 million on these properties for a
total net loss on disposal of $137 million for the Real Estate Sale, the remainder of which was recorded in prior periods
when certain of the properties were classified as held for sale and were written down to fair value less costs to sell. As part
of the Real Estate Sale, the Company is leasing back office space with remaining lease terms of one month to seven years.
9.
INCOME TAXES
The difference between the amount of the provision for income taxes and the amount computed by multiplying net
income before income taxes by the statutory Canadian tax rate is reconciled as follows:
Statutory Canadian tax rate
Expected recovery of income taxes
Differences in income taxes resulting from:
Valuation allowance
Investment tax credits
Canadian tax rate differences
Change in unrecognized income tax benefits
Foreign tax rate differences
Other differences
Withholding tax on unremitted earnings
Loss before income taxes:
Canadian
Foreign
The recovery of income taxes consists of the following:
Current
Canadian
Foreign
Deferred
Canadian
Foreign
27
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
26.6%
(75)
$
26.6%
(102)
$
26.6%
(1,908)
58
(29)
2
(9)
6
6
(33)
(74)
$
79
(51)
(27)
—
11
8
1
(81)
$
781
(77)
(82)
—
(10)
(47)
32
(1,311)
$
$
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
$
$
(278) $
(4)
(282) $
(600) $
215
(385) $
(7,212)
28
(7,184)
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
$
$
(10) $
38
(35)
(67)
(74) $
(153) $
21
39
12
(81) $
(1,203)
77
(184)
(1)
(1,311)
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The Company has adopted ASC 740-10-65-4 Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Income Taxes, and this has been
prospectively applied starting in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Any prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities consist of the following temporary differences:
Assets
Property, plant, equipment and intangibles
Non-deductible reserves
Minimum taxes
Convertible Debentures (see note 10)
Research and development
Tax loss carryforwards
Other
Deferred income tax assets
Valuation allowance
Deferred income tax assets net of valuation allowance
Liabilities
Property, plant, equipment and intangibles
Withholding tax on unremitted earnings
Deferred income tax liabilities
Net deferred income tax asset/(liability)
Deferred income tax asset - current
Deferred income tax asset
Deferred income tax liability
As at
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
$
$
$
$
$
42
122
264
7
244
450
60
1,189
993
196
(173)
—
(173)
23
$
— $
33
(10)
23
$
81
108
268
121
199
84
15
876
866
10
(15)
(33)
(48)
(38)
10
—
(48)
(38)
The Company regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. In making that
assessment, the Company considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the
deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of available evidence, whether it is more likely than not that some or
all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, the Company noted that
there were increases in deductible temporary differences which are not currently deductible for tax purposes and the
Company has three years of cumulative losses for fiscal 2016. As a result, the Company was unable to recognize the
benefit relating to a significant portion of deferred tax assets that arose in fiscal 2016 and earlier, which resulted in the
recognition of a $993 million (February 28, 2015 - $866 million) valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. The
fiscal 2016 deferred tax recovery is partially offset by this deferred tax valuation allowance of $58 million and included in
the income tax provision in fiscal 2016 (February 28, 2015 - $79 million). This accounting treatment has no effect on the
Company’s actual ability to utilize deferred tax assets to reduce future cash tax payments. The Company will continue to
assess the likelihood that the deferred tax assets will be realizable at each reporting period and the valuation allowance
will be adjusted accordingly.
Given the change in financial circumstances for certain foreign subsidiaries of the Company in fiscal 2016, a
determination was made that the Company’s cumulative undistributed earnings for certain foreign subsidiaries will now
be indefinitely reinvested, and as a result, the withholding tax accrual of $33 million related to these undistributed
earnings recorded as a deferred tax liability was reversed.
28
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The Company’s total unrecognized income tax benefits as at February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015 were $37 million
and $11 million, respectively. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits
that, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:
Unrecognized income tax benefits, opening balance
Increase for income tax positions of prior years
Increase for income tax positions of current year
Settlement of tax positions
Other
Unrecognized income tax benefits, ending balance
February 29, 2016
11
$
—
34
(8)
—
37
$
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2015
8
$
3
—
—
—
11
$
$
$
March 1, 2014
29
5
—
(23)
(3)
8
The increase in unrecognized income tax benefits for the current year of $34 million relates to prior year tax positions of
companies acquired in the current fiscal year. As at February 29, 2016, all of the unrecognized income tax benefits of $37
million have been netted against current income taxes and deferred income taxes on the Company’s consolidated balance
sheets.
A summary of open tax years by major jurisdiction is presented below:
Jurisdiction
Canada(1)
United States(2)
United Kingdom
______________________________
Fiscal 2010 - 2016
Fiscal 2013 - 2016
Fiscal 2014 - 2016
(1)
(2)
Includes federal as well as provincial jurisdictions, as applicable.
Pertains to federal tax years. Certain state jurisdictions remain open from fiscal 2012 through fiscal 2016.
The Company is subject to ongoing examination by tax authorities in the jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company
regularly assesses the status of these examinations and the potential for adverse outcomes to determine the adequacy of
the provision for income taxes, as well as the provisions for indirect and other taxes and related penalties and interest. The
Company believes it is reasonably possible that approximately $3 million of its gross unrecognized income tax benefit
will be realized in the next twelve months. While the final resolution of these audits is uncertain, the Company believes
the ultimate resolution of these audits will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position,
liquidity or results of operations.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits as interest expense that is
netted and reported within investment income (loss). The amount of interest accrued as at February 29, 2016 was
approximately $1 million (February 28, 2015 - approximately $1 million). The amount of penalties accrued as at
February 29, 2016 was nominal (February 28, 2015 - nominal).
29
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
As at February 29, 2016, the Company has the following net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits which are
scheduled to expire in the following years:
Year of Expiry
Net Operating Losses
Capital Losses
Research and
Development Tax Credits
Minimum Taxes
$
— $
— $
2026
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
Indefinite
$
$
10. LONG-TERM DEBT
Convertible Debentures
1
2
14
—
28
—
—
—
646
867
16
1,574
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
24
24
$
—
—
—
1
—
120
112
47
25
—
305
$
—
—
1
109
127
27
—
—
—
—
—
264
In fiscal 2014, Fairfax and other institutional investors invested in the Company through a $1.25 billion private placement
of the Debentures.
Interest on the Debentures is payable quarterly in arrears at a rate of 6% per annum. The Debentures have a term of seven
years and each $1,000 of Debentures is convertible at any time into 100 common shares of the Company, for a total of 125
million common shares at a price of $10.00 per share for all Debentures, subject to adjustments.
The Company has the option to redeem the Debentures after November 13, 2016 at specified redemption prices in
specified periods. Covenants associated with the Debentures include limitations on the Company’s total indebtedness.
Under specified events of default, the outstanding principal and any accrued interest on the Debentures become
immediately due and payable upon request of holders holding not less than 25% of the principal amount of the Debentures
then outstanding. During an event of default, the interest rate rises to 10% per annum.
The Debentures are subject to a change of control provision whereby the Company would be required to make an offer to
repurchase the Debentures at 115% of par value if a person or group (not affiliated with Fairfax) acquires 35% of the
Company’s outstanding common shares, acquires all or substantially all of its assets, or if the Company merges with
another entity and the Company’s existing shareholders hold less than 50% of the common shares of the surviving entity.
Due to the possible volatility in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations resulting from fluctuation in the fair
value of the embedded conversion option as well as the number of other embedded derivatives within the Debentures, the
Company has elected to record the Debentures, including the debt itself and all embedded derivatives, at fair value and
present the Debentures as a hybrid financial instrument. No portion of the fair value of the Debentures has been recorded
as equity, nor would be if each component was freestanding. As of February 29, 2016, the fair value of the Debentures
amounted to $1.28 billion (February 28, 2015 - $1.71 billion). The difference between the fair value of the Debentures and
the unpaid principal balance of $1.25 billion, is $27 million. The fair value of the Debentures is measured using Level 2
fair value inputs.
The Company recorded non-cash income associated with the change in the fair value of the Debentures of $430 million in
fiscal 2016 (the “Fiscal 2016 Debentures fair value adjustments”) (fiscal 2015 - non-cash charge of $80 million). These
adjustments are presented on a separate line in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The fair value
adjustments do not impact the key terms of the Debentures such as the face value, the redemption features or the
conversion price.
The Company recorded interest expense related to the Debentures of $75 million, which has been included in investment
loss on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations in fiscal 2016 (fiscal 2015 - $75 million; fiscal 2014 - $21
30
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
million). The Company is required to make quarterly interest only payments of approximately $19 million during the
seven years the Debentures are outstanding. Fairfax, a related party, owns $500 million principal amount of Debentures
and receives interest at the same rate as other debenture holders.
In the course of issuing these Debentures in fiscal 2014, the Company incurred costs of $42 million. As the Company has
elected the fair value option for the recording of the Debentures, these costs have been fully expensed in the period in
which they were incurred and are recorded in selling, marketing and administration expenses in the statement of
operations.
11. CAPITAL STOCK
(a) Capital stock
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of non-voting, redeemable, retractable Class A common shares,
an unlimited number of voting common shares and an unlimited number of non-voting, cumulative, redeemable,
retractable preferred shares. As at February 29, 2016 and February 28, 2015, there were no Class A common shares or
preferred shares outstanding.
The following details the changes in issued and outstanding common shares for the years ended February 29, 2016,
February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014:
Capital Stock and
Additional Paid-in Capital
Treasury Stock
Stock
Outstanding
(000’s)
Amount
Stock
Outstanding
(000’s)
Amount
Common shares outstanding as at March 2, 2013
524,160
$
2,431
9,020
$
Exercise of stock options
Common shares issued for RSU settlements
Stock-based compensation
Tax deficiencies related to stock-based
compensation
Purchase of treasury stock
Treasury shares released for RSU settlements
Common shares outstanding as at March 1, 2014
Exercise of stock options
Common shares issued for RSU settlements
Stock-based compensation
Excess tax benefit related to stock-based
compensation
Sale of treasury stock
Treasury shares released for RSU settlements
Common shares outstanding as at February 28, 2015
Exercise of stock options
Common shares issued for RSU settlements
Stock-based compensation
Tax deficiencies related to stock-based
compensation
Share repurchase
Common shares issued for employee share purchase
plan
Common shares issued on the redemption of
deferred share units
Common shares outstanding as at February 29, 2016
417
1,975
—
—
—
—
526,552
945
1,305
—
—
—
—
528,802
402
4,320
—
—
(12,607)
183
3
—
68
(13)
—
(71)
2,418
6
—
50
8
—
(38)
2,444
3
—
60
(1)
(59)
1
—
—
—
—
1,641
(3,001)
7,660
—
—
—
—
(6,033)
(1,627)
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
72
521,172
$
—
2,448
$
—
— $
31
(234)
—
—
—
—
(16)
71
(179)
—
—
—
—
141
38
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The Company had 521 million voting common shares outstanding, 1 million options to purchase voting common shares,
27 million RSUs and 0.4 million DSUs outstanding as at March 29, 2016.
On May 6, 2015, the Board authorized a share repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”) to purchase for
cancellation up to 12 million common shares of the Company, or approximately 2.5% of the outstanding public float as of
June 22, 2015. The Repurchase Program commenced on June 29, 2015 pursuant to a Notice of Intention to Make a
Normal Course Issuer Bid dated June 25, 2015. On September 24, 2015, the Board authorized an increase in the number
of common shares that may be purchased for cancellation under the Repurchase Program by up to 15 million common
shares, subject to regulatory approval. On January 29, 2016 the Company sought and received regulatory approval from
the TSX to increase the maximum number of common shares that may be repurchased from 12 million common shares to
27 million common shares, or 5.8% of the public float as of June 22, 2015. The Company also announced that it had
entered into an automatic purchase plan with its designated broker to allow for purchases of up to 2,685,524 common
shares in connection with the Repurchase Program. During fiscal 2016, the Company repurchased 13 million common
shares at a cost of approximately $93 million. The Company recorded a reduction of approximately $59 million to capital
stock and the amount paid in excess of the per share paid-in capital of the common shares of approximately $34 million
was charged to retained earnings. All common shares repurchased by the Company pursuant to the Repurchase Program
have been canceled.
(b) Stock-based compensation
Stock Options
The Company recorded a charge to income and a credit to paid-in-capital of approximately $1 million in fiscal 2016
(fiscal 2015 - $2 million; fiscal 2014 - $5 million) in relation to stock-based compensation expense.
The Company has presented excess tax deficiencies from the exercise of stock-based compensation awards as a financing
activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Stock options previously granted under the Equity Plan and Prior Plans generally vest over a period of three years to a
maximum of five years, and are generally exercisable over a period of five years to a maximum of seven years from the
grant date. The Company issues new shares to satisfy stock option exercises. There are eight million shares in the equity
pool available for future grants under the Equity Plan as at February 29, 2016.
A summary of option activity since March 2, 2013 is shown below:
Options Outstanding
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(millions)
Number
(000’s)
Balance as at March 2, 2013
Exercised during the year
Forfeited/cancelled/expired during the year
Balance as at March 1, 2014
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Forfeited/cancelled/expired during the year
Balance as at February 28, 2015
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Forfeited/cancelled/expired during the year
Balance as at February 29, 2016
Vested and expected to vest as at February 29, 2016
Exercisable as at February 29, 2016
7,260
(417)
(3,576)
3,267
526
(945)
(1,362)
1,486
772
(402)
(382)
1,474
1,405
494
$
$
$
$
27.53
7.36
42.55
12.08
10.06
7.13
17.10
9.34
6.30
6.09
14.45
7.01
7.01
7.18
3.56
3.52
2.05
$
$
$
2
2
—
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the aggregate difference
between the closing stock price of the Company’s common shares on February 29, 2016 and the exercise price for in-the-
32
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
money options) that would have been received by the option holders if all in-the-money options had been exercised on
February 29, 2016. The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during fiscal 2016, calculated using the average market
price during the year, was approximately $2.16 per share.
A summary of unvested stock options since February 28, 2015 is shown below:
Balance as at February 28, 2015
Granted during the year
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year
Balance as at February 29, 2016
Options Outstanding
Number
(000’s)
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
920
$
772
(461)
(251)
980
$
4.27
2.49
4.23
4.01
2.95
As at February 29, 2016, there was $3 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested
stock options which will be expensed over the vesting period, which, on a weighted average basis, results in a period of
approximately 1.60 years. The total fair value of stock options vested during the year ended February 29, 2016 amounted
to $2 million (February 28, 2015 - $3 million, March 1, 2014 - $8 million).
Cash received from the stock options exercised for the year ended February 29, 2016 amounted to $3 million
(February 28, 2015 - $6 million; March 1, 2014 - $3 million). There were no tax deficiencies incurred by the Company
related to stock options exercised at February 29, 2016 (February 28, 2015 – tax deficiency of nil; March 1, 2014 – tax
deficiency of $2 million).
During the year ended February 29, 2016, there were 772,056 stock options granted (February 28, 2015 - 526,091;
March 1, 2014 - nil). The weighted average fair value of these grants was calculated using the BSM option pricing model
with the following assumptions:
Weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during the period
$
2.49
$
4.32
February 29,
2016
February 28,
2015
Assumptions:
Risk-free interest rates
Expected life in years
Expected dividend yield
Volatility
1.00%
3.38
—%
1.25%
3.67
—%
54.60%
56.59%
The Company has no current expectation of paying cash dividends on its common shares. The risk-free interest rates
utilized during the life of the stock options are based on a U.S. Treasury security for an equivalent period. The Company
estimates the volatility of its common shares at the date of grant based on a combination of the implied volatility of
publicly traded options on its common shares and historical volatility, as the Company believes that this is a reasonable
indicator of expected volatility going forward. The expected life of stock options granted under the Equity Plan is based
on historical exercise patterns, which the Company believes are representative of future exercise patterns.
33
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
Restricted Share Units
The Company recorded compensation expense with respect to RSUs of approximately $59 million in the year ended
February 29, 2016 (February 28, 2015 - $48 million; March 1, 2014 - $63 million).
A summary of RSU activity since March 2, 2013 is shown below:
Balance as at March 2, 2013
Granted during the year
Vested during the year
Forfeited/cancelled during the year
Balance as at March 1, 2014
Granted during the year
Vested during the year
Forfeited/cancelled during the year
Balance as at February 28, 2015
Granted during the year
Vested during the year
Forfeited/cancelled during the year
Balance as at February 29, 2016
Vested and expected to vest February 29, 2016
Number
(000’s)
15,185
$
21,741
(4,977)
(7,604)
24,345
9,530
(2,928)
(4,946)
26,001
8,986
(4,320)
(2,997)
27,670
26,517
$
$
RSUs Outstanding
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(millions)
13.83
7.39
17.11
11.44
8.15
9.72
13.73
9.55
7.84
7.20
8.75
8.84
7.38
7.36
1.79
1.80
$
$
216
207
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the aggregate closing share
price of the Company’s common shares on February 29, 2016, that would have been received by RSU holders if all RSUs
had been vested on February 29, 2016).
Tax deficiencies incurred by the Company related to the RSUs vested was $1 million for the year ended February 29,
2016 (February 28, 2015 - tax benefit of $8 million; March 1, 2014 - tax deficiency of $11 million).
Previously, the Company contributed capital to a trust account to enable a trustee to purchase shares on the open market in
connection with the vesting of certain RSUs awarded by the Company. During the year ended February 29, 2016, the
trustee purchased nil and sold nil common shares (February 28, 2015 - 6,032,719 common shares were sold for total cash
consideration of approximately $61 million). The trustee no longer holds shares, the trust has been terminated, and the
Company expects to settle vested RSUs by issuing new common shares from treasury.
As at February 29, 2016, there was $129 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs that will be
expensed over the vesting period, which, on a weighted average basis, results in a period of approximately 1.62 years.
During the year ended February 29, 2016, there were 8,986,019 RSUs granted (February 28, 2015 - 9,530,093), all of
which will be settled upon vesting by the issuance of new common shares.
Deferred Share Units
The Company issued 151,335 DSUs in the year ended February 29, 2016. There were 0.4 million DSUs outstanding as at
February 29, 2016 (February 28, 2015 - 0.3 million). The Company had a liability of $3.2 million in relation to the DSU
Plan as at February 29, 2016 (February 28, 2015 - $3.3 million).
34
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
12. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted loss per share:
Net loss for basic and diluted loss per share available to common
shareholders
Less: Debentures fair value adjustment (1) (2)
Add: interest expense on Debentures (1) (2)
Net loss for diluted loss per share available to common shareholders
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (000’s) - basic and
diluted (2)
Effect of dilutive securities (000’s) (3)
Conversion of Debentures (1) (2)
Weighted average number of shares and assumed conversions (000’s)
- diluted
Loss per share - reported
Basic
Diluted
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
$
$
$
$
(208) $
(430)
75
(563) $
(304) $
—
—
(304) $
(5,873)
—
—
(5,873)
526,303
527,684
525,168
125,000
—
—
651,303
527,684
525,168
(0.40) $
(0.86) $
(0.58) $
(0.58) $
(11.18)
(11.18)
______________________________
(1) The Company has not presented the dilutive effect of the Debentures using the if-converted method in the calculation of
loss per share for the years ended February 28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, as to do so would be antidilutive. See Note 10 for
details on the Debentures.
(2) The Company has presented the dilutive effect of the Debentures using the if-converted method, assuming conversion
at the beginning of fiscal 2016 for the year ended February 29, 2016. Accordingly, to calculate diluted loss per share, the
Company adjusted net loss by eliminating the Fiscal 2016 Debentures fair value adjustments and interest expense incurred
on the Debentures in the year ended February 29, 2016, and added the number of shares that would have been issued upon
conversion to the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding. See Note 10 for details on the Debentures.
(3) The Company has not presented the dilutive effect of in-the-money options or RSUs that will be settled upon vesting by
the issuance of new common shares in the calculation of loss per share for the years ended February 29, 2016, February
28, 2015 and March 1, 2014, as to do so would be antidilutive. As at February 29, 2016, there were 811,996 options and
27,669,815 RSUs outstanding that were in-the-money and may have a dilutive effect on earnings (loss) per share in future
periods.
13. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss are as follows:
Accumulated net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments
Accumulated net unrealized losses on derivative instruments
designated as cash flow hedges, net of tax
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustment
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
As at
$
$
3
$
3
$
(1)
(10)
(8) $
(26)
—
(23) $
1
(9)
—
(8)
35
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The effects on net income of amounts reclassified from AOCI into income by component for the year ended February 29,
2016 were as follows:
Location of loss reclassified from AOCI into income
Selling, marketing and administration
Investment income
Recovery of income taxes
Total amount reclassified into income, net of tax
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(a) Credit facility and letters of credit
Gains and Losses on
Cash Flow Hedges
Gains and Losses on
Available-for-Sale
Securities
Total
$
$
(30) $
—
2
(28) $
— $
1
—
1
$
(30)
1
2
(27)
The Company has $44 million in collateralized outstanding letters of credit in support of certain leasing arrangements
entered into in the ordinary course of business. See the discussion of restricted cash in Note 3.
(b) Lease commitments
The Company is committed to future minimum annual lease payments related to real estate operating leases as follows:
For the fiscal years ending:
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
Thereafter
$
37
28
23
13
8
7
$
116
For the year ended February 29, 2016, the Company incurred rental expense of $45 million (February 28, 2015 - $60
million; March 1, 2014 - $80 million).
(c) Litigation
The Company is involved in litigation in the normal course of its business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. The
Company is subject to a variety of claims (including claims related to patent infringement, purported class actions and
other claims in the normal course of business) and may be subject to additional claims either directly or through
indemnities against claims that it provides to certain of its partners and customers. In particular, the industry in which the
Company competes has many participants that own, or claim to own, intellectual property, including participants that have
been issued patents and may have filed patent applications or may obtain additional patents and proprietary rights for
technologies similar to those used by the Company in its products. The Company has received, and may receive in the
future, assertions and claims from third parties that the Company’s products infringe on their patents or other intellectual
property rights. Litigation has been, and will likely continue to be, necessary to determine the scope, enforceability and
validity of third-party proprietary rights or to establish the Company’s proprietary rights. Regardless of whether claims
against the Company have merit, those claims could be time-consuming to evaluate and defend, result in costly litigation,
divert management’s attention and resources, subject the Company to significant liabilities and could have the other
effects that are described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s unaudited Annual Information Form for
the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, which is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F, including the
risk factors entitled “Litigation against the Company may result in adverse outcomes” and “The Company could be found
to have infringed on the intellectual property rights of others”.
Management reviews all of the relevant facts for each claim and applies judgment in evaluating the likelihood and, if
applicable, the amount of any potential loss. Where a potential loss is considered probable and the amount is reasonably
estimable, provisions for loss are made based on management’s assessment of the likely outcome. Where a range of loss
can be reasonably estimated with no best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum amount in the range.
36
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
The Company does not provide for claims for which the outcome is not determinable or claims for which the amount of
the loss cannot be reasonably estimated. Any settlements or awards under such claims are provided for when reasonably
determinable.
As of February 29, 2016, there are no claims outstanding for which the Company has assessed the potential loss as both
probable to result and reasonably estimable, therefore no accrual has been made. Further, there are claims outstanding for
which the Company has assessed the potential loss as reasonably possible to result, however an estimate of the amount of
loss cannot reasonably be made. There are many reasons that the Company cannot make these assessments, including,
among others, one or more of the following: the early stages of a proceeding does not require the claimant to specifically
identify the patent that has allegedly been infringed; damages sought are unspecified, unsupportable, unexplained or
uncertain; discovery has not been started or is incomplete; the facts that are in dispute are highly complex (e.g., once a
patent is identified, the analysis of the patent and a comparison to the activities of the Company is a labour-intensive and
highly technical process); the difficulty of assessing novel claims; the parties have not engaged in any meaningful
settlement discussions; the possibility that other parties may share in any ultimate liability; and the often slow pace of
litigation.
Though they do not meet the test for accrual described above, the Company has included the following summaries of
certain of its legal proceedings that it believes may be of interest to its investors.
Between October and December 2013, several purported class action lawsuits and one individual lawsuit were filed
against the Company and certain of its former officers in various jurisdictions alleging that during the period from
September 27, 2012 through September 20, 2013, the Company and certain of its officers made materially false and
misleading statements regarding the Company’s financial condition and business prospects and that certain of the
Company’s financial statements contain material misstatements. The individual lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed. In
respect of the putative U.S. class actions, four motions for the appointment of lead plaintiff were filed. On March 14,
2014, the Judge consolidated the proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. On May
27, 2014, the Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint was filed. The Company filed a motion to dismiss the
complaint. On March 13, 2015, the court issued an order granting the Company’s motion to dismiss. The plaintiffs filed a
motion for reconsideration and for leave to file an amended complaint, which was denied by the court on November 13,
2015. The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal on December 11, 2015 and filed their opening brief on February 24, 2016.
The Company filed its opposition brief on March 30, 2016. In respect of the putative Ontario class action, the plaintiffs
filed a motion for certification and leave to pursue statutory misrepresentation claims. On November 16, 2015, the
Ontario Superior Court of Justice issued an order granting the plaintiffs’ motion for leave to file a statutory claim for
misrepresentation. On December 2, 2015, the Company filed a notice of motion seeking leave to appeal this ruling. On
January 22, 2016, the court postponed the hearing on the plaintiffs’ certification motion to an undetermined date after
asking the Company to file a motion to dismiss the claims of the U.S. plaintiffs for forum non conveniens. Proceedings
are ongoing.
On October 12, 2015, a group of Good’s institutional investors filed a putative class action lawsuit on behalf of Good’s
common shareholders against members of Good’s former board of directors (the “GTC Directors”) related to the
Company’s acquisition of Good (the “GTC Lawsuit”). The plaintiffs allege that the GTC Directors breached their
fiduciary duty by engaging in a self-interested transaction that benefited the preferred shareholders at the expense of the
common shareholders. The plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages, as well as rescission of the merger agreement
between Good and the Company. While neither Good nor the Company are parties to the GTC Lawsuit, Good has certain
obligations to indemnify the defendants and is providing a defense. On October 29, 2015, Good filed a complaint alleging
that the plaintiffs breached their contractual obligations under a voting agreement providing that, in the event of a sale
transaction that was approved by both the GTC Directors and a majority of the Good preferred shareholders, the plaintiffs
were required to vote their shares in favour of the transaction and refrain from exercising any appraisal or dissenter rights.
Good alleges that the filing of the GTC Lawsuit was a breach of the voting agreement. On December 31, 2015, several
Good shareholders filed a petition seeking appraisal against Good. Proceedings are ongoing.
(d) Concentrations in certain areas of the Company’s business
The Company attempts to ensure that most components essential to the Company’s business are generally available from
multiple sources, however certain components are currently obtained from limited sources within a competitive market,
which subjects the Company to significant supply, availability and pricing risks. Many components are at times subject to
industry-wide shortages and significant commodity pricing fluctuations including those that are available from multiple
sources. In addition, the Company has entered into various agreements for the supply of components, the manufacturing
37
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
of its products and agreements that allow the Company to use intellectual property owned by other companies; however,
there can be no guarantee that the Company will be able to extend or renew these agreements on similar terms, or at all.
Therefore, the Company remains subject to significant risks of supply shortages and intellectual property litigation risk, as
well as potential price increases that can materially adversely affect its financial condition and operating results.
The Company also uses some custom components that are not common to the rest of the industry, and new products
introduced by the Company often utilize custom components available from only one source for a period of time. When a
component or product uses new technologies, initial capacity constraints may exist until the suppliers’ yields have
matured or manufacturing capacity has increased. If the Company’s supply of components for a new or existing product
were delayed or constrained, the Company’s financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely
affected. Further, if the Company was not able to find an alternative source for the necessary quantities, the Company’s
business and financial performance could also be materially adversely affected. Continued availability of these
components at acceptable prices, or at all, may be affected if those suppliers concentrate on the production of common
components instead of components customized to meet the Company’s requirements.
Substantially all of the Company’s hardware products are manufactured by outsourcing partners that are located primarily
in Asia and Mexico. A significant concentration of this manufacturing is currently performed by a small number of
outsourcing partners. Although the Company works closely with its outsourcing partners on manufacturing schedules, the
Company’s operating results could be adversely affected if its outsourcing partners were unable to meet their production
commitments.
(e)
Indemnifications
The Company enters into certain agreements that contain indemnification provisions under which the Company could be
subject to costs and damages, including in the event of an infringement claim against the Company or an indemnified
third party. Such intellectual property infringement indemnification clauses are generally not subject to any dollar limits
and remain in effect for the term of the Company’s agreements. To date, the Company has not encountered material costs
as a result of such indemnifications.
The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its current and former directors and executive officers.
Under these agreements, the Company agreed, subject to applicable law, to indemnify its current and former directors and
executive officers against all costs, charges and expenses reasonably incurred by such individuals in respect of any civil,
criminal or administrative action which could arise by reason of their status as directors or officers. The Company
maintains liability insurance coverage for the benefit of its current and former directors and executive officers to reduce
its exposure to such obligations. The Company has not encountered material costs as a result of such indemnifications in
the current year. See the Company’s Management Information Circular for fiscal 2015 for additional information
regarding the Company’s indemnification agreements with its directors and current and former executive officers.
15. SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
The Company reports segment information based on the “management” approach. The management approach designates
the internal reporting used by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) for making decisions and assessing
performance as a source of the Company’s reportable operating segments. The CODM, who for the Company is the Chief
Executive Officer, makes decisions and assesses the performance of the Company on a consolidated basis, and the
Company is a single reportable operating segment.
38
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
Revenue, classified by major geographic segments in which the Company’s customers are located, was as follows:
North America
Canada
United States
Europe, Middle East and Africa
United Kingdom
Other
Latin America
Asia Pacific
Revenue mix
Software and services
Hardware
Service access fees
Other
February 29, 2016
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
$
238
714
952
195
621
816
117
275
11.0% $
33.0%
44.0%
9.0%
28.8%
37.8%
5.4%
12.8%
216
775
991
292
1,139
1,431
380
533
6.4% $
23.2%
29.6%
8.8%
34.2%
43.0%
11.4%
16.0%
$
2,160
100.0% $
3,335
100.0% $
491
1,320
1,811
604
2,387
2,991
907
1,104
6,813
7.2%
19.4%
26.6%
8.9%
35.0%
43.9%
13.3%
16.2%
100.0%
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
$
$
494
862
779
25
$
248
$
1,431
1,606
50
2,160
$
3,335
$
235
3,785
2,698
95
6,813
Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill, classified by geographic segments in which the Company’s
assets are located, was as follows:
Canada
United States
United Kingdom
Other
As at
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
Property, Plant and
Equipment, Intangible
Assets and Goodwill
Total Assets
Property, Plant and
Equipment, Intangible
Assets and Goodwill
Total Assets
$
$
$
1,002
1,024
39
178
$
1,467
3,429
220
418
$
1,628
202
79
107
2,243
$
5,534
$
2,016
$
3,368
2,700
126
364
6,558
Information about major customers
There were no customers that comprised more than 10% of the Company’s revenue in fiscal 2016 (fiscal 2015 - no
customers that comprised more than 10%; fiscal 2014 - no customers that comprised more than 10%).
39
BlackBerry Limited
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
In millions of United States dollars, except share and per share data, and except as otherwise indicated
16. CASH FLOW AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
(a) Certain consolidated statements of cash flow information related to interest and income taxes paid is summarized as
follows:
Interest paid during the year
Income taxes paid during the year
Income tax refunds received during the year
(b) Additional information
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
March 1, 2014
$
$
75
30
172
$
75
59
425
29
131
1,447
Advertising expense, which includes media, agency and promotional expenses totaling $102 million (February 28, 2015 -
$141 million; March 1, 2014 - $843 million) is included in selling, marketing and administration expenses for the fiscal
year ended February 29, 2016.
Selling, marketing and administration expenses for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 included $12 million with
respect to foreign exchange losses (February 28, 2015 – gains of $42 million; March 1, 2014 – losses of $62 million).
40
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND FISCAL YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 29, 2016
BLACKBERRY LIMITED
April 1, 2016
The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) should be
read together with the audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes (the “Consolidated Financial
Statements”) of BlackBerry Limited (the “Company” or “BlackBerry”), for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016. The
Consolidated Financial Statements are presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with United States
generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). All financial information in this MD&A is presented in U.S. dollars,
unless otherwise indicated.
The Company has prepared this MD&A with reference to National Instrument 51-102 “Continuous Disclosure Obligations” of
the Canadian Securities Administrators. Under the U.S./Canada Multijurisdictional Disclosure System, the Company is
permitted to prepare this MD&A in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Canada, which are different from those of
the United States. This MD&A provides information for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 and up to and including
April 1, 2016.
Additional information about the Company, including the Company’s Annual Information Form for the fiscal year ended
February 29, 2016 (the “AIF”), which is included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 40-F for the fiscal year ended
February 29, 2016 (the “Annual Report”), can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This MD&A contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including under the U.S.
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws, including statements relating to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the Company’s expectations regarding its cash flow and adjusted EBITDA;
the Company’s plans, strategies and objectives, including the anticipated benefits of its strategic initiatives described
below;
the Company’s expectations regarding anticipated demand for, and the timing of, new product and service offerings,
and the Company’s plans and expectations relating to its existing and new product and service offerings, including
BlackBerry Enterprise Service (“BES”) 12, the Good® Secure EMM Suites, BlackBerry smartphones and the cloud-
based BlackBerry Internet of Things platform;
the Company’s expectations regarding the generation of revenue from its software, services and other technologies,
including from technology licensing and the monetization of its patent portfolio, its expectations regarding the
growth of and recurring nature of certain of its software and services revenue, and its expectations regarding the
ability of such revenue to offset the decline in service access fees revenue;
the Company’s expectations regarding profitability in its devices business in fiscal 2017;
the Company’s anticipated levels of decline in service access fees revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2017;
the Company’s expectations for gross margin in the first quarter of fiscal 2017;
the Company’s expectation that during fiscal 2017 the Company will move from single reportable operating
segment disclosure to multiple operating segment disclosure;
the Company’s expected benefits from its plans to reallocate resources through its resource alignment program (the
“RAP”);
the Company’s expectations regarding its common share repurchase program (the “Repurchase Program”);
the Company’s expectations with respect to the sufficiency of its financial resources; and
the Company’s estimates of purchase obligations and other contractual commitments.
The words “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “intend”, “believe”, “target”, “plan” and
similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements in this MD&A, including in the sections entitled
“Business Overview - Strategy, Products and Services”, “Business Overview - Common Share Repurchase Program”,
“Business Overview - Operating Segments”, “Fiscal 2016 Summary Results of Operations - Financial Highlights - Free Cash
1
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Flow”, “Results of Operations - Fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 compared to fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 -
Revenue - Revenue by Category - Software and Services Revenue”, “Results of Operations - Fiscal year ended February 29,
2016 compared to fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 - Revenue - Revenue by Category - Hardware Revenue”, “Results of
Operations - Three months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the three months ended February 28, 2015 - Revenue -
Revenue by Category - Service Access Fees Revenue”, “Results of Operations - Three months ended February 29, 2016
compared to the three months ended February 28, 2015 - Gross Margin” and “Financial Condition - Debenture Financing and
Other Funding Sources”. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by the Company in light
of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other
factors that the Company believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including but not limited to, the Company’s
expectations regarding its business, strategy, opportunities and prospects, including its ability to implement meaningful changes
to address its business challenges, the launch of new products and services, general economic conditions, product pricing levels
and competitive intensity, supply constraints, and the Company’s expectations regarding the cash flow generation of its
business and the sufficiency of its financial resources. Many factors could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or
achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, without
limitation, the following factors, most of which are discussed in greater detail in the “Risk Factors” section of the AIF, which is
included in the Annual Report, and the following:
•
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
the Company’s ability to attract new enterprise customers and maintain its existing relationships with its enterprise
customers or transition them to the Company’s latest enterprise software platforms and deploy BlackBerry
smartphones;
the Company’s ability to develop, market and distribute an integrated software and services offering, or otherwise
monetize its technologies, to grow revenue, achieve sustained profitability, or to offset the decline in the Company’s
service access fees;
the Company’s ability to enhance its current products and services, or develop new products and services, in a
timely manner or at competitive prices, or to meet customer requirements, or accurately predict emerging
technological trends;
the Company’s ability to successfully market and distribute the PRIV device;
the intense competition faced by the Company;
the occurrence or perception of a breach of the Company’s security measures, or an inappropriate disclosure of
confidential or personal information;
risks related to the Company’s products and services being dependent upon the interoperability with rapidly
changing systems provided by third parties;
risks related to the Company’s ability to attract new personnel and retain key personnel;
the Company’s dependence on its relationships with network carriers and distributors;
risks related to acquisitions, divestitures, investments and other business initiatives, which may negatively affect the
Company’s results of operations;
the risk that network disruptions or other business interruptions could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business and harm its reputation;
the risk that failure to protect the Company’s intellectual property could harm its ability to compete effectively and
the Company may not earn the revenues it expects from intellectual property rights;
the Company’s reliance on its suppliers to supply functional components on a timely basis and in sufficient
quantities;
risks associated with sales to customers in highly regulated industries and governmental entities, which can be
highly competitive and require compliance with stringent regulation;
the Company’s reliance on third parties to manufacture and repair its products;
the Company’s ability to obtain rights to use software or components supplied by third parties;
the substantial inventory and other asset risk faced by the Company, including the potential for additional charges
related to its inventory and long-lived assets;
the risk that the Company’s ability to maintain or increase its liquidity could be adversely affected by its ability to
generate cash flow;
2
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
risks related to the Company’s significant indebtedness, which could adversely affect its operating flexibility and
financial condition;
the risk that the Company could be found to have infringed on the intellectual property rights of others;
the risk that litigation against the Company may result in adverse outcomes;
risks related to government regulations applicable to the Company’s products and services, including products
containing encryption capabilities, which could negatively impact the Company’s business;
risks related to the use and disclosure of user data and personal information, which could give rise to liabilities as a
result of legal, carrier and other requirements;
risks related to foreign operations, including fluctuations in foreign currencies;
risks associated with any defects in the Company’s products and services, which can be difficult to remedy and
could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business if they occur;
the risk of a negative impact on the Company’s business as a result of actions of activist shareholders;
risks related to the supplementing and management of the Company’s catalogue of third-party applications;
risks related to the failure of the Company’s suppliers, subcontractors, third-party distributors and representatives to
use acceptable ethical business practices or comply with applicable laws;
risks related to health and safety and hazardous materials usage regulations, and network certification risks;
costs and other burdens associated with regulations regarding conflict minerals;
risks related to the Company possibly losing its foreign private issuer status under U.S. federal securities laws;
the potential impact of copyright levies in numerous countries;
risks related to tax provision changes, the adoption of new tax legislation, or exposure to additional tax liabilities;
the volatility of the market price of the Company’s common shares;
risks related to adverse economic and geopolitical conditions;
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
• market and credit risk associated with the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and short-term or long-term
investments; and
•
risks related to the fluctuation of the Company’s quarterly revenue and operating results.
All of these factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company’s forward-
looking statements. Any statements that are forward-looking statements are intended to enable the Company’s shareholders to
view the anticipated performance and prospects of the Company from management’s perspective at the time such statements
are made, and they are subject to the risks that are inherent in all forward-looking statements, as described above, as well as
difficulties in forecasting the Company’s financial results and performance for future periods, particularly over longer periods,
given the ongoing transition in the Company’s business strategy and the rapid technological changes, evolving industry
standards, intense competition and short product life cycles that characterize the wireless communications industry. These
difficulties in forecasting the Company’s financial results and performance are magnified at the present time given the
uncertainties related to the Company’s strategic initiatives described in this MD&A. See “Business Overview - Strategy,
Products and Services” in this MD&A.
The Company has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
Business Overview
The Company is securing a connected world, delivering innovative solutions across the entire mobile ecosystem and beyond.
The Company secures the world’s most sensitive data across all endpoints – from cars to smartphones – making the mobile-first
enterprise vision a reality. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, the Company operates offices in North America,
Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific and Latin America. The Company’s common shares are listed on the NASDAQ
Global Select Market (NASDAQ: BBRY) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BB), and its unsecured convertible
debentures due in 2020 (the “Debentures”) are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BB.DB.U).
The Company’s operating unit organizational structure consists of the Devices business, Enterprise Solutions and Services
(which includes the Company’s newest practice, Professional Cybersecurity Services), Business Technology Solutions
(“BTS”), and Messaging. Across all businesses, BlackBerry products and services are widely recognized in the market for
3
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
productivity and security, and the Company believes that it delivers the most secure end-to-end mobile enterprise solutions in
the market. With these core strengths, the Company’s broad portfolio of products and services is focused on serving enterprise
customers, particularly in regulated industries and select vertical markets, including government, financial services, legal and
healthcare.
The Company has experienced a significant decline in revenue and market share due to intense competition and other factors,
as discussed below under “Results of Operations - Fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 compared to fiscal year ended
February 28, 2015 – Revenue” and “Results of Operations – Three months ended February 29, 2016 compared to three months
ended February 28, 2015 – Revenue”.
Strategy, Products and Services
The Company has been executing a strategy to leverage its strengths in mobility management and security to refocus its
business in the Enterprise Solutions and Services space, while maintaining a presence in the highly competitive smartphone and
devices market. This strategy includes increasing the Company’s product and service offerings through strategic acquisitions
and targeted growth in internal investments. The Company’s goal is to maintain its market leadership in the enterprise mobility
segment by continuing to extend the functionality of its enterprise software infrastructure beyond enterprise mobility
management (“EMM”), to offer the most comprehensive and secure mobile platform and, on top of this extensive foundation,
deliver vertical solutions and endpoint management in the Internet of Things (“IoT”).
BlackBerry has aligned its businesses and operations to drive greater efficiency and speed in bringing new offerings to market,
while optimizing assets and capabilities in support of the Company’s overall strategy and financial objectives. Please also see
the “Narrative Description of the Business - Strategy” and “Narrative Description of the Business - Products and Services”
sections in the AIF, which is included in the Annual Report.
The Company’s latest device is the PRIV, running the Android operating system. Its latest BlackBerry 10 smartphone models
are the Passport Silver Edition (“Passport SE”), Leap, and Classic. As at the end of fiscal 2016, the Company had a smartphone
user base of approximately 23 million. The Company’s core software and services offering is the Good Secure EMM Suites,
which integrates the BES12 and Good Technology platforms, and supports BlackBerry 10 and legacy BlackBerry devices, iOS,
Android and Windows Phone® devices, SecuSUITE, and the WatchDox enterprise file sync-and-share (“EFSS”) solution.
Product and business developments that have influenced the general development of the Company’s business over fiscal 2016
include:
Acquisitions
• Acquired Good Technology Corporation (“Good”), a provider of secure mobility solutions, including secure applications
and containerization that protects end user privacy;
• Acquired AtHoc, Inc. (“AtHoc”), a provider of secure, networked crisis communications;
• Acquired WatchDox Ltd. (“WatchDox”), a data security company offering secure EFSS solutions; and
• Acquired Encription Holdings Limited and Encription Ireland Limited (“Encription”), a cybersecurity consulting firm
providing industry-leading assessments in penetration testing and security training services.
Products, Services and Approvals
• Launched the PRIV smartphone, running on the Android™ operating system;
• Announced the new Good Secure EMM Suites by BlackBerry, a comprehensive set of mobile security, management,
productivity and collaboration offerings;
• Announced the launch of a new Professional Cybersecurity Services practice that will further expand the Company’s
security portfolio;
• Announced the new voice encryption solution SecuSUITE for Enterprise;
• Announced BES12 Cloud, a cloud-based enterprise mobility management (“EMM”) solution that offers easy management
of cross-platform devices;
• Obtained the approval of the United States Department of Defense (“DoD”) for the use of Public Key Infrastructure
credentials on BlackBerry OS and BlackBerry 10 smartphones;
• Unveiled a new QNX software platform to enable automotive companies to build a full range of secured automated driving
•
systems and in-car acoustics; and
Showcased at the Consumer Electronics Show an IoT over-the-air software platform, as well as BlackBerry Radar, an asset
tracking device and software interface.
Joint Ventures, Partnerships and Other Agreements
• Entered into a long-term patent cross-licensing agreement with Cisco;
• Entered into a joint development and manufacturing agreement with Wistron Corporation;
• Announced a new partnership with T-Mobile US, Inc. to bring the BlackBerry Classic to T-Mobile’s network;
• Announced the planned integration of Samsung KNOX™ with WorkLife by BlackBerry and SecuSUITE; and
4
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
• Announced the availability of the Company’s multi-OS EMM platform in the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, allowing
customers full access to their BES12 licenses while benefiting from the Microsoft cloud architecture.
Financial Highlights
• Achieved positive free cash flow and positive adjusted EBITDA in each of the quarters in fiscal 2016;
• Achieved non-GAAP revenue of approximately $527 million from software and services for the year;
• Commenced a normal course issuer bid to purchase up to 27 million common shares of the Company; and
• Commenced the RAP with the objectives of reallocating Company resources to capitalize on growth opportunities,
providing the operational ability to better leverage contract research and development services relating to its handheld
devices, and reaching sustainable profitability.
Director and Executive Officer Appointments
• Appointed the Honourable Wayne G. Wouters, PC, an executive leader in government relations, strategic leadership,
international trade and economic policy, to the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”);
• Appointed Laurie Smaldone Alsup, M.D., an executive leader in drug development, regulatory strategy, and regulatory
approvals in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, to the Board; and
• Appointed Carl Wiese as President of Global Sales of the Company.
Change in Fiscal Year
Effective in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company changed its fiscal year from a 52 or 53 week year ending the last
Saturday in February or the first Saturday in March to a calendar basis ending the last day of February. The purpose of this
change is to be consistent with common practice in the software industry. The Company believes this is appropriate due to its
increased emphasis on software and its completed acquisitions of software companies with recurring revenue streams.
Accordingly, the Company’s fiscal quarters will end on the last days of May, August, November, and February. The Company
does not believe that the impact of the change is material.
For further information about the impact of the change in fiscal year, please see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
Common Share Repurchase Program
On May 6, 2015, the Board authorized the Repurchase Program to purchase for cancellation up to 12 million common shares of
the Company, or approximately 2.5% of the outstanding public float as of June 22, 2015. The purpose of the Repurchase
Program is to offset dilution from the Company’s employee share purchase plan and an amendment to the Company’s equity
incentive plan increasing the number of shares available thereunder, both as approved by the shareholders of the Company on
June 23, 2015.
Daily purchases are limited to 578,619 common shares, other than block purchases. Pursuant to a Notice of Intention to Make a
Normal Course Issuer Bid dated June 25, 2015, the Repurchase Program commenced on June 29, 2015 and will terminate on
June 28, 2016 or on such earlier date as BlackBerry may complete its purchases under such program.
On January 29, 2016 the Company sought and received regulatory approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to increase the
maximum number of common shares that may be repurchased from 12 million common shares to 27 million common shares,
or 5.8% of the public float as of June 22, 2015. The Company also announced that it had entered into an automatic purchase
plan with its designated broker to allow for purchases of up to 2,685,524 common shares in connection with the Repurchase
Program..
During fiscal 2016, the Company repurchased 13 million common shares at a cost of approximately $93 million. The
Company recorded a reduction of approximately $59 million to capital stock and the amount paid in excess of the per share
paid-in capital of the common shares of approximately $34 million was charged to retained earnings. All common shares
repurchased by the Company pursuant to the Repurchase Program have been canceled.
The actual number of shares to be purchased and the timing and pricing of any additional purchases under the Repurchase
Program will depend on future market conditions and upon potential alternative uses for cash resources. There is no assurance
that any additional shares will be purchased under the Repurchase Program and the Company may elect to modify, suspend or
discontinue the program at any time without prior notice.
Operating Segments
As disclosed in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Company reports segment information based on the
“management” approach. The management approach designates the internal reporting used by the chief operating decision
maker (“CODM”) for making decisions and assessing performance as a source of the Company’s reportable operating
segments. The CODM, who for the Company is the Chief Executive Officer, makes decisions and assesses the performance of
the Company on a consolidated basis, and the Company is a single reportable operating segment.
5
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
As the Company’s recent acquisitions are integrated into its overall business structure and strategy, the Company is expecting
to change the internal reporting utilized by the CODM for decision making and performance assessment. As a result, the
Company expects that during fiscal 2017 adjustments in its management approach will result in a change in the Company’s
disclosure to present multiple operating segments.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and information contained in this
MD&A is presented on that basis. On April 1, 2016, the Company announced financial results for the three months and fiscal
year ended February 29, 2016, which included certain non-GAAP financial measures, including non-GAAP revenue, gross
margin, gross margin percentage, loss before income taxes, net loss and loss per share.
The Company has included additional non-GAAP adjustments (software deferred revenue acquired, stock compensation
expense, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations and business acquisition and integration
costs incurred through business combinations) that are consistent with common practice in the software industry, and has
applied those adjustments to comparative periods. The Company believes this is appropriate due to its increased emphasis on
software and its acquisitions of software firms with recurring revenue streams.
For the three months ended February 29, 2016, these measures were adjusted for the following (collectively, the “Q4 Fiscal
2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments”):
•
the Q4 Fiscal 2016 Debentures Fair Value Adjustment (as defined below under “Fiscal 2016 Summary Results of
Operations – Financial Highlights – Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”) of approximately $40 million (pre-tax and
after tax);
• RAP charges, consisting of amounts associated with employee termination benefits, facilities, manufacturing network
simplification costs, and certain other costs of approximately $180 million (pre-tax and after tax);
•
•
•
•
•
cost optimization and resource efficiency (“CORE”) program charges of approximately $2 million (pre-tax and after
tax);
software deferred revenue acquired but not recognized due to business combination accounting rules of approximately
$23 million (pre-tax and after tax);
stock compensation expense of approximately $17 million (pre-tax and after tax);
amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations of approximately $28 million (pre-tax and
after tax); and
business acquisition and integration costs incurred through business combinations of approximately $10 million (pre-
tax and after tax).
For the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, these measures (collectively, the “Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments”)
consisted of:
•
the Fiscal 2016 Debentures Fair Value Adjustment (as defined below under “Fiscal 2016 Summary Results of
Operations – Financial Highlights – Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”) of approximately $430 million (pre-tax and
after tax);
• RAP charges, consisting of employee termination benefits, facilities, manufacturing network simplification costs, and
certain other costs of approximately $344 million (pre-tax and after tax);
• CORE program charges of approximately $11 million (pre-tax and after tax);
•
•
•
•
software deferred revenue acquired but not recognized due to business combination accounting rules of approximately
$33 million (pre-tax and after tax);
stock compensation expense of approximately $60 million (pre-tax and after tax);
amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations of approximately $66 million (pre-tax and
after tax); and
business acquisition and integration costs incurred through business combinations of approximately $22 million (pre-
tax and after tax).
6
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The Company believes that presenting non-GAAP financial measures that exclude the impact of those items enables it and its
shareholders to better assess the Company’s operating performance relative to its consolidated financial results in prior and
future periods and improves the comparability of the information presented. Readers are cautioned that adjusted gross margin,
adjusted gross margin percentage, adjusted loss before income taxes, adjusted net loss, adjusted loss per share and similar
measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by U.S. GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to
similarly titled measures reported by other companies. These non-GAAP financial measures should be considered in the
context of the U.S. GAAP results, which are described in this MD&A. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures
for the three months and fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures was
included in the Company’s April 1, 2016 press release, and is reflected in the table below:
Q4 Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments
For the Three Months Ended February 29, 2016
(in millions)
As reported
$
210
45.3% $
(256) $
(238) $
(0.45)
Income statement
location
Gross margin
(before taxes)
Gross margin %
(before taxes)
Loss before
income taxes
Net loss
Basic loss per
share
Debentures fair value adjustment(1)
Debentures fair value
adjustment
RAP charges (2)
RAP charges (2)
RAP charges (2)
CORE program charges
Software deferred revenue acquired
Stock compensation expense
Stock compensation expense
Cost of sales
Research and
development
Selling, marketing and
administration
Selling, marketing and
administration
Revenue(3)
Research and
development
Selling, marketing and
administration
Acquired intangibles amortization
Amortization
Business acquisition and integration
costs
Selling, marketing and
administration
$
—
4
—
—
—
23
—
—
—
—
237
—%
0.8%
—%
—%
—%
2.6%
—%
—%
—%
—%
(40)
4
18
158
2
23
5
12
28
10
(40)
4
18
158
2
23
5
12
28
10
48.7% $
(36) $
(18) $
(0.03)
______________________________
(1) See “Fiscal 2016 Summary Results of Operations - Financial Highlights - Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”.
(2) See “Fiscal 2016 Summary Results of Operations - Financial Highlights - RAP”.
(3) Included within Software and Services revenue.
7
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments
For the Year Ended February 29, 2016
(in millions)
Income statement
location
Gross margin
(before taxes)
$
941
Gross margin
% (before
taxes)
Loss before
income taxes
Net loss
Basic loss per
share
43.6% $
(282) $
(208) $
(0.40)
As reported
Debentures fair value adjustment(1)
RAP charges (2)
RAP charges (2)
RAP charges (2)
CORE program charges
CORE program charges
Software deferred revenue acquired
Stock compensation expense
Stock compensation expense
Stock compensation expense
Debentures fair value
adjustment
Cost of sales
Research and
development
Selling, marketing and
administration
Research and
development
Selling, marketing and
administration
Revenue(3)
Cost of sales
Research and
development
Selling, marketing and
administration
Acquired intangibles amortization
Amortization
Business acquisition and
integration costs
Selling, marketing and
administration
—
44
—
—
—
—
33
1
—
—
—
—
—%
2.0%
—%
—%
—%
—%
0.9%
0.01%
—%
—%
—%
—%
(430)
(430)
44
47
253
2
9
33
1
17
42
66
22
44
47
253
2
9
33
1
17
42
66
22
Adjusted
$
1,019
46.5% $
(176) $
(102) $
(0.19)
______________________________
(1) See “Fiscal 2016 Summary Results of Operations - Financial Highlights - Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”.
(2) See “Fiscal 2016 Summary Results of Operations - Financial Highlights - RAP”.
(3) Included within Software and Services revenue.
Similarly, on March 27, 2015, the Company announced financial results for the three months and fiscal year ended
February 28, 2015, which included certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted gross margin, adjusted income
(loss) before income taxes and adjusted net income (loss).
For the three months ended February 28, 2015, these measures were adjusted for the following (collectively, the “Q4 Fiscal
2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments”):
•
•
the Rockstar patent portfolio sale (“Rockstar Sale”) of approximately $115 million (pre-tax and after tax);
the Debentures fair value adjustment of approximately $50 million (pre-tax and after tax);
• CORE program charges of approximately $58 million pre-tax ($57 million after tax);
•
•
•
stock compensation expense of approximately $14 million (pre-tax and after tax);
amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations of approximately $9 million (pre-tax and
after tax); and
business acquisition and integration costs incurred through business combinations of approximately $1 million (pre-
tax and after tax).
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015, these measures were adjusted for the following (collectively, the “Fiscal 2015
Non-GAAP Adjustments”):
•
•
the Rockstar Sale of approximately $115 million (pre-tax and after tax);
the Debentures fair value adjustment of approximately $80 million (pre-tax and after tax);
• CORE program charges of approximately $322 million pre-tax ($294 million after tax);
•
•
stock compensation expense of approximately $49 million (pre-tax and after tax);
amortization of intangible assets acquired through business combinations of approximately $38 million (pre-tax and
after tax); and
8
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
•
business acquisition and integration costs incurred through business combinations of approximately $3 million (pre-
tax and after tax).
A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures for the three months and fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 to the
most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures was included in the Company’s March 27, 2015 press release, and is reflected
in the table below:
For the Three Months Ended February 28, 2015
(in millions)
For the Year Ended February 28, 2015
(in millions)
Income Statement
Location
Gross Margin
Income (loss)
before
income taxes
Net income
Gross Margin
Loss before
income taxes
Net income
(loss)
As reported
$
318
$
(1) $
28
$
1,604
$
(385) $
Rockstar sale adjustment
Investment income
Debentures fair value
adjustment
Debentures fair
value adjustment
CORE program charges
Cost of sales
CORE program charges
CORE program charges
Stock compensation
expense
Stock compensation
expense
Stock compensation
expense
Acquired intangibles
amortization
Research and
development
Selling, marketing
and administration
Cost of sales
Research and
development
Selling, marketing
and administration
Amortization
Business acquisition and
integration costs
Selling, marketing
and administration
—
—
1
—
—
1
—
—
—
—
(115)
(115)
50
1
6
51
1
4
9
9
1
50
1
6
50
1
4
9
9
1
—
—
23
—
—
2
—
—
—
—
(115)
80
23
70
229
2
15
32
38
3
Adjusted
$
320
$
16
$
44
$
1,629
$
(8) $
(304)
(115)
80
21
63
210
2
15
32
38
3
45
The Company also reported adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the
three months and fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 of $78 million and $433 million, respectively, as shown in the table
below:
Operating loss
Non-GAAP adjustments to operating loss
Debentures fair value adjustment
RAP charges
CORE program charges
Software deferred revenue acquired
Stock compensation expense
Acquired intangibles amortization
Business acquisition and integration costs
Total non-GAAP adjustments to operating loss
Non-GAAP operating loss
Amortization
Acquired intangibles amortization
Adjusted EBITDA
For the Three
Months Ended
February 29, 2016
(in millions)
For the Year Ended
February 29, 2016
(in millions)
$
(241) $
(40)
180
2
23
17
28
10
220
(21)
127
(28)
78
$
$
(223)
(430)
344
11
33
60
66
22
106
(117)
616
(66)
433
The Company also reported an estimated year-over-year increase in its organic software license revenue for the three months
ended February 29, 2016 of 24%. This is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have any standardized meaning as
prescribed by U.S. GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
Organic software license revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 consists of the Company’s non-GAAP software and
9
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
services revenue, excluding revenues from AtHoc and revenues from Good that were not considered organic from the
Company’s integration of Good products.
Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
Accounting Policies
Please see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Company’s significant accounting policies,
which is included in the Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions with
respect to the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and
liabilities. These estimates and assumptions are based upon management’s historical experience and are believed by
management to be reasonable under the circumstances. Such estimates and assumptions are evaluated on an ongoing basis and
form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other
sources. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
The Company’s critical accounting estimates have been reviewed and discussed with the Company’s Audit & Risk
Management Committee and are set out below. Except as noted, there have not been any changes to the Company’s critical
accounting estimates during the past three fiscal years.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
The long-lived assets (“LLA”) impairment test prescribed by U.S. GAAP requires the Company to identify its asset groups and
test impairment of each asset group separately. To conduct the LLA impairment test, the asset group is tested for recoverability
using undiscounted cash flows over the remaining useful life of the primary asset. If forecasted net cash flows are less than the
carrying amount of the asset group, an impairment charge is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset group to its
carrying value. Determining the Company’s asset groups and related primary assets requires significant judgment by
management. Different judgments could yield different results.
The Company’s determination of its asset groups, its primary asset and its remaining useful life, and estimated cash flows are
significant factors in assessing the recoverability of the Company’s assets for the purposes of LLA impairment testing. The
Company’s share price can be affected by, among other things, changes in industry or market conditions, including the effect of
competition, changes in the Company’s results of operations, changes in the Company’s forecasts or market expectations
relating to future results, and the Company’s strategic initiatives and the market’s assessment of any such factors. See “Risk
Factors - The market price of the Company’s common shares is volatile” in the AIF. The current macroeconomic environment
and competitive dynamics continue to be challenging to the Company’s business and the Company cannot be certain of the
duration of these conditions and their potential impact on the Company’s future financial results and cash flows. A continued
decline in the Company’s performance, the Company’s market capitalization and future changes to the Company’s assumptions
and estimates used in the LLA impairment test, particularly the expected future cash flows, remaining useful life of the primary
asset and terminal value of the asset group, may result in further impairment charges in future periods of some or all of the
assets on the Company’s balance sheet. Although it does not affect the Company’s cash flow, an impairment charge to earnings
has the effect of decreasing the Company’s earnings or increasing the Company’s losses, as the case may be. The Company’s
share price could also be adversely affected by the Company’s recorded LLA impairment charges.
The Company used various valuation techniques to determine the fair values of its assets to measure and allocate impairment.
Techniques related to real estate, capital equipment and intangible assets included the direct capitalization method, market
comparable transactions, the replacement cost method, discounted cash flow analysis, as well as the relief from royalty and
excess earnings valuation methods. Determining valuations using these valuation techniques requires significant judgment and
assumptions by management. Different judgments could yield different results.
Inventory and Inventory Purchase Commitments
The Company’s policy for the valuation of inventory, including the determination of obsolete or excess inventory, requires
management to estimate the future demand for the Company’s products. Inventory purchases and purchase commitments are
based upon such forecasts of future demand and scheduled rollout and life cycles of new products. The business environment in
which the Company operates is subject to rapid changes in technology and customer demand. The Company performs an
assessment of inventory during each reporting period, which includes a review of, among other factors, demand requirements,
component part purchase commitments of the Company and certain key suppliers, product life cycle and development plans,
component cost trends, product pricing and quality issues. If customer demand subsequently differs from the Company’s
forecasts, requirements for inventory write-offs that differ from the Company’s estimates could become necessary. If
management believes that demand no longer allows the Company to sell inventories above cost or at all, such inventory is
10
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
written down to net realizable value or excess inventory is written off. Significant judgment was required in calculating the
inventory charges, which involved forecasting future demand and the associated pricing at which the Company can realize the
carrying value of its inventory.
Valuation Allowance Against Deferred Tax Assets
The Company regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance is
required for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the asset will not be realized. All available
evidence, both positive and negative, that may affect the realization of deferred tax assets must be identified and considered in
determining the appropriate amount of the valuation allowance. Additionally, for interim periods, the estimated annual effective
tax rate should include the valuation allowance for current year changes in temporary differences and losses or income arising
during the year. For interim periods, the Company needs to consider the valuation allowance that it expects to recognize at the
end of the fiscal year as part of the estimated annual effective tax rate. During interim quarters, the Company uses estimates
including pre-tax results and ending position of temporary differences as at the end of the fiscal year to estimate the valuation
allowance that it expects to recognize at the end of the fiscal year. This accounting treatment has no effect on the Company’s
actual ability to utilize deferred tax assets to reduce future cash tax payments. Different judgments could yield different
results. See “Results of Operations - Three months ended February 29, 2016 compared to three months ended February 28,
2015 - Income Taxes”.
Revenue Recognition
Significant judgment is applied by the Company to determine whether shipments of devices have met the Company’s revenue
recognition criteria, as the analysis is dependent on many facts and circumstances. Commencing in fiscal 2016, the Company
was able to conclude that the price was fixed or determinable on shipment in certain cases and, therefore, the four criteria as
described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for revenue recognition were met upon shipment. As such, sales
of the Company’s Android device to wireless carriers in certain regions, sales of the Company’s latest BlackBerry 10 devices to
wireless carriers in certain regions, and sales of BlackBerry 7 devices to wireless carriers in certain regions are recognized as
revenue at the time of shipment. Other shipments of Android, BlackBerry 10 and BlackBerry 7 devices are recognized as
revenue when the devices sell through to end users.
Hardware
The Company’s use of customer incentives requires management to use significant judgment in evaluating whether prices for
handheld devices are fixed or determinable, which can impact the timing of when hardware revenue is recognized. When the
price isn’t considered fixed or determinable, the Company recognizes revenue when the product is sold through to its end users.
The Company must take into account its past history with its carrier and distribution partners to determine whether it can
reliably estimate whether any future concessions will be provided on products it has previously sold into the channel. The
Company also makes estimates of the level of channel inventory and the likelihood it will sell-through at the prices sold to its
distribution partners. The Company also has to consider external factors such as end customer demand, market acceptance of its
products, cannibalization of new product introductions, the competitive landscape, and technological obsolescence in
determining whether the price is fixed or determinable at the time of shipment. These factors could result in the Company
increasing its customer incentive programs which could impact the results of the Company’s operations. The Company
recognizes these customer incentives at the later of when the Company has recognized the product sale or when the program is
offered.
The Company also uses estimates in determining return provisions for its hardware sales. The Company has limited rights of
return for quality defects based on contractual terms and conditions. The Company’s historical experience is that returns for
defects are immaterial to the results of operations and represent only 0.5% to 1% of total units shipped. However, if defect rates
were to increase beyond those estimated, the Company would be required to recognize additional reductions to revenue. If the
defect rate were to change such that the Company could no longer reliably estimate the return rate, recognition of revenue
could be delayed until a reliable estimate could be made or the return period lapses.
Multiple Element Arrangements
The Company’s process for determining best estimated selling prices (“BESPs”) as it relates to when and if available upgrade
rights to the BlackBerry 10 and Android devices exist involves management’s judgment and multiple factors are considered
that may vary over time depending upon the unique facts and circumstances related to each deliverable. The objective of BESP
is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if the product or service was sold on a stand-alone basis.
Should future facts and circumstances change, the Company’s BESPs and the future rate of related amortization for software
upgrades and non-software services related to future sales of these devices could change. Factors subject to change include the
unspecified software upgrade rights offered, change in pricing of elements sold separately by the Company in the future, the
estimated value of unspecified software upgrade rights, the estimated or actual costs incurred to provide non-software services,
and the estimated period software upgrades and non-software services expected to be provided. Management does not expect
11
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
the estimate of BESP to increase in the future given the competitive nature of the industry and the downward trends on its
pricing. It is more likely to decrease in the future, which would result in a positive impact on the results of operations on a go-
forward basis. Management also uses historical data to determine the useful life of the device over which to amortize the
upgrade value. If the life of the device increased, the rate at which revenue is recognized would decrease. Conversely, if the life
of the device decreased, the rate at which revenue is recognized would increase. Management reviews its estimates on an
annual basis unless other facts and circumstances arise to warrant a shorter review cycle.
Adoption of Accounting Policies
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a new accounting standard on the topic of revenue
contracts, which replaces the existing revenue recognition standard. The new standard amends the number of requirements that
an entity must consider in recognizing revenue and requires improved disclosures to help readers of financial statements better
understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue recognized. For public entities, the new standard is effective
for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early
adoption is permitted for annual reporting periods and interim periods therein beginning after December 15, 2016. The
Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will
have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standards update on the topic of debt issuance costs. The amendments in this
update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct
deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The amendments are effective for
annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early
adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company will adopt this guidance in
the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its financial position and
disclosures.
In April 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standards update on the topic of internal-use software. The amendments in
this update provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. The
amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within
that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and
is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In June 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standards update for technical corrections and improvements that affect a
wide variety of topics in the codification. The amendments in this update correct unintended application of guidance, make
minor improvements, and provide clarification to the codification. The amendments that require transition guidance are
effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting
period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and is currently
evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In July 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard update on the topic of inventory. The amendments in this update
provide guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory from the lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net
realizable value for entities using the first-in, first-out or the average cost method. The amendments in this update are effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. It should be applied
prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of the interim or annual reporting period. The Company
will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on
its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In September 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of business combinations. The amendments in this
update require the acquirer who has reported provisional amounts for items in a business combination to recognize adjustments
to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period, in the reporting period in which the adjustments are
determined. The update requires that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of
changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts,
calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The prior period impact of the adjustment should be
either presented separately on the face of the income statement or disclosed in the notes. The guidance is effective for interim
and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early application is permitted and should be applied prospectively. The
Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will
have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In November 2015, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of income taxes. The amendments in this update
eliminate the current requirement for companies to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and non-
current amounts in a classified statement of financial position. Instead, companies will be required to classify all deferred tax
liabilities and assets as non-current. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15,
12
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has adopted this guidance early and applied it prospectively in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2016.
In January 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of financial instruments. The amendments in this
update address certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. The standard
primarily affects the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and
disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the guidance clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for
a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities. The guidance is effective for interim and
annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for certain requirements. The Company will
adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its
results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of leases. The new standards would require
companies and other organizations to include lease obligations in their balance sheets, including a dual approach for lessee
accounting under which a lessee would account for leases as finance leases or operating leases. Both finance leases and
operating leases will result in the lessee recognizing a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a corresponding lease liability. For
finance leases the lessee would recognize interest expense and amortization of the ROU asset, and for operating leases, the
lessee would recognize a straight-line total lease expense. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning
after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2020
and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of revenue from contracts with customers. The
amendments in this update clarify the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. When another party,
along with the reporting entity, is involved in providing goods or services to a customer, an entity is required to determine
whether the nature of its promise is to provide that good or service to the customer (as a principal) or to arrange for the good or
service to be provided to the customer by the other party (as an agent). The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods
beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and is currently
evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In March 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of stock compensation. The amendments in this update
simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including the income tax consequences,
classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statements of cash flows. The guidance is
effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company will
adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on its
results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
13
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Fiscal 2016 Summary Results of Operations
The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of operations data, as well as certain consolidated balance sheet
data, as at and for the fiscal years ended February 29, 2016, February 28, 2015, and March 1, 2014:
As at and for the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions, except for share and per share amounts)
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
Change
March 1, 2014
Change
Revenue(1)
Gross margin(1)(2)
Operating expenses(1)(2)
Investment income (loss), net (2)
Loss before income taxes
Recovery of income taxes
Net loss
Loss per share - reported
Basic
Diluted
Weighted-average number of shares
outstanding (000’s)
Basic
Diluted(3)
Total assets
Total long-term financial liabilities
$
$
$
$
$
$
2,160
$
3,335
$
941
1,164
(59)
(282)
(74)
(208) $
(0.40) $
(0.86) $
1,604
2,027
38
(385)
(81)
(304) $
(0.58)
(0.58)
(3,478)
1,647
(5,093)
59
6,799
1,230
5,569
(1,175) $
(663)
(863)
(97)
103
7
96
$
$
$
$
6,813
(43)
7,120
(21)
(7,184)
(1,311)
(5,873) $
(11.18)
(11.18)
526,303
651,303
527,684
527,684
525,168
525,168
5,534
1,277
$
$
6,558
1,707
$
$
(1,024) $
(430) $
7,552
1,627
$
$
(994)
80
______________________________
(1) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the impact of the Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments on revenue, gross margin
and operating expenses in fiscal 2016.
(2) See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the impact of the Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments on gross margin and
operating expenses and investment income (loss), net in fiscal 2015.
(3) See Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 for calculation of the
diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding.
Financial Highlights
The Company had approximately $2.6 billion in cash, cash equivalents and investments as of February 29, 2016. In fiscal 2016,
the Company recognized revenues of $2.2 billion and incurred a net loss of $208 million, or a $0.40 basic loss per share and
$0.86 diluted loss per share on a GAAP basis. As further discussed below, net loss reflects non-cash income associated with the
change in the fair value of the Debentures of $430 million, restructuring charges of $344 million related to the RAP,
restructuring charges of $11 million related to the CORE program, software deferred revenue acquired of $33 million, stock
compensation expense of $60 million, acquired intangibles amortization of $66 million, and business acquisition and
integration costs of $22 million recorded in fiscal 2016. See also “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” and “Financial Condition -
Debenture Financing and Other Funding Sources” in this MD&A.
The Company previously stated that it expected sequential revenue growth in software, hardware and messaging revenue in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and total revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 to be at the same level as in the third quarter
of fiscal 2016 or slightly above. The Company’s hardware revenue and total revenue declined in the fourth quarter of fiscal
2016 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The Company did not meet its expectations for hardware revenue, and
consequently total revenue, due to delays in certain contract negotiations with major carriers and a reduction in global market
growth for high-end smartphones.
Business Acquisitions
On October 30, 2015, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Good for approximately $425 million
(including $2 million of acquisition related costs and $6 million of future post-combination employment expense). The
acquisition further expanded the Company’s ability to offer a unified, secure mobility platform with applications for any mobile
device on any operating system. Good’s technology is being integrated with BES12, providing multi-platform support for both
mobile and desktop operating system devices.
14
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
On September 22, 2015, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of AtHoc, a leading provider of secure
networked crisis communications, for approximately $250 million (including $10 million of future post-combination
employment expense). The acquisition of AtHoc enhances the Company’s mission to provide secure communication solutions
and complements the Company’s enterprise portfolio of cross-platform solutions and trusted global network to enable new
capabilities for safety, security and mission-critical business communications.
On May 7, 2015, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of WatchDox, a data security company
offering secure enterprise file-sync-and-share solutions, for approximately $59 million. The acquisition enhances the
Company’s commitment to allow organizations to securely connect employees and corporate information across all mobile and
desktop platforms. WatchDox’s technology is being offered independently and as a value added service through BES12 that
complements the Company’s enterprise mobility management portfolio.
On February 19, 2016, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Encription, a cybersecurity firm based
in the United Kingdom, for $8 million of cash consideration. The acquisition will further expand the Company’s security
portfolio and, combined with the Company’s existing security solutions, help customers identify the latest cybersecurity threats,
develop risk appropriate mitigation strategies, implement and maintain IT security standards and techniques, and defend against
the risk of future attacks.
The Company’s expectations as to revenue and other financial metrics for fiscal 2017 set forth in this MD&A reflect the
completion of the acquisition of WatchDox on May 7, 2015, AtHoc on September 22, 2015, Good on October 30, 2015 and
Encription on February 19, 2016.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a measure of financial performance calculated as operating cash flow minus capital expenditures. For the
three months ended February 29, 2016, the Company reported free cash flow of $6 million, which consisted of operating cash
flows of $9 million, minus capital expenditures of $3 million. The Company anticipates continuing to generate positive free
cash flow and adjusted EBITDA for the 2017 fiscal year.
Debentures Fair Value Adjustment
As previously disclosed, the Company elected the fair value option to account for the Debentures; therefore, periodic
revaluation is required under U.S. GAAP. The valuation is influenced by a number of embedded features within the
Debentures, including the Company’s put option on the debt and the investors’ conversion option, among others. The primary
factors that influence the fair value adjustment are the Company’s share price, as well as associated volatility in the share price,
and the Company’s implied credit rating. The fair value adjustment charge does not impact the key terms of the Debentures
such as the face value, the redemption features or the conversion price. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company
recorded non-cash income associated with the change in the fair value of the Debentures of approximately $40 million (pre-tax
and after tax) (the “Q4 Fiscal 2016 Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”). In fiscal 2016, the Company recorded net non-cash
income associated with the change in the fair value of the Debentures of approximately $430 million (pre-tax and after tax) (the
“Fiscal 2016 Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”).
RAP
During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company commenced the RAP for its device software, hardware and applications
business with the objectives of reallocating resources to capitalize on growth opportunities, providing the operational ability to
better leverage contract research and development services relating to its handheld devices, and reaching sustainable
profitability. Other charges and cash costs may occur as programs are implemented or changes are completed. During the fourth
quarter and fiscal 2016, the Company incurred approximately $180 million and $344 million, respectively, in total pre-tax
charges related to this program for employee termination benefits, patent abandonment, and facilities costs.
Results of Operations - Fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 compared to fiscal year ended February 28, 2015
Revenue
Revenue for fiscal 2016 was $2.16 billion, a decrease of approximately $1.18 billion, or 35.2%, from $3.34 billion in fiscal
2015.
15
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Comparative breakdowns of the significant revenue categories and geographic regions are set forth in the following table:
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions)
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
Change
3.2
494
862
779
25
7.0
248
1,431
1,606
50
22.8% $
40.0%
36.1%
1.2%
7.4% $
42.9%
48.2%
1.5%
2,160
100.0% $
3,335
100.0% $
952
816
117
275
2,160
44.0% $
37.8%
5.4%
12.8%
100.0% $
991
1,431
380
533
3,335
29.6% $
43.0%
11.4%
16.0%
100.0% $
(3.8)
(54.3)%
246
(569)
(827)
(25)
(1,175)
(39)
(615)
(263)
(258)
(1,175)
99.2 %
(39.8)%
(51.5)%
(50.0)%
(35.2)%
(3.9)%
(43.0)%
(69.2)%
(48.4)%
(35.2)%
$
$
$
$
BlackBerry handheld devices recognized
Revenue
Software and services
Hardware
Service access fees
Other
Revenue by Geography
North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Latin America
Asia Pacific
Revenue by Category
Software and Services Revenue
Software and services revenue, which includes fees from licensed BES software, client access licenses, maintenance and
upgrades, software licensing revenues, technology licensing revenues, and technical support revenues, increased by $246
million, or 99.2%, to $494 million, or 22.8% of revenue, in fiscal 2016, compared to $248 million, or 7.4% of revenue, in fiscal
2015. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in revenue from technology and software licensing, as well as
revenue from advertising, partially offset by decreases in revenue from technical support.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company stated that it continued to expect non-GAAP software and services revenue of
approximately $500 million in fiscal 2016, excluding revenue generated from BBM services such as BBM Protected. Non-
GAAP software and services revenue, excluding revenue generated from BBM services, was $501 million for fiscal 2016
compared to $244 million in fiscal 2015. The Company continues to expect to generate software and services revenue from
monetizing existing and forthcoming products and its patent portfolio. The Company continues to expect the growth of
software and services revenue to continue and to offset the decline in service access fees revenue in fiscal 2017, and to exceed
the growth rate of the mobility software market. The Company expects total software and services revenue to grow at around
30% on a year-over-year basis and expects continued gains in market share at that level.
The Company’s software and services revenue was approximately 70% recurring (subscription based) in fiscal 2016. The
Company is targeting approximately 80% of software and services revenue, excluding technology licensing and consumer
messaging revenue, to be recurring in nature in fiscal 2017.
Hardware Revenue
Hardware revenue was $862 million, or 40.0% of revenue, in fiscal 2016 compared to 1.4 billion, or 42.9% of revenue, in fiscal
2015, representing a decrease of 39.8%. The Company recognized revenue related to approximately 3.2 million BlackBerry
handheld devices in fiscal 2016, compared to approximately 7.0 million BlackBerry handheld devices in fiscal 2015. The
Company believes that the significant decrease in hardware revenue over the prior fiscal year was primarily attributable to
decreased hardware demand and the decline in the average selling prices of legacy BlackBerry 10 devices, which was partially
offset by an increase in the average selling prices with the introduction of new devices, including the PRIV, Passport SE,
Classic and Leap.
Significant judgment is applied by the Company to determine whether shipments of devices have met the Company’s revenue
recognition criteria, as the analysis is dependent on many facts and circumstances. See “Accounting Policies and Critical
Accounting Estimates - Critical Accounting Estimates - Revenue Recognition” in this MD&A and Note 1 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements, which is included in the Annual Report, for a description of the Company’s revenue recognition
accounting policy and revenue recognition critical accounting estimates with respect to hardware revenue.
16
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
During fiscal 2016, approximately 4.0 million BlackBerry smartphones were sold through to end customers, which included
shipments made and recognized prior to fiscal 2016 and which reduced the Company’s inventory in channel. The number of
BlackBerry smartphones that were sold through to end customers was 8.5 million in fiscal 2015.
The Company’s plan is to achieve profitability in its device business in fiscal 2017.
Service Access Fees Revenue
Service access fees revenue decreased by $827 million, or 51.5%, to $779 million, or 36.1% of revenue, in fiscal 2016,
compared to $1.6 billion, or 48.2% of revenue, in fiscal 2015. The decrease in service access fees revenue, which is generated
from users of BlackBerry 7 and prior BlackBerry operating systems, is primarily attributable to a lower number of BlackBerry
7 users and lower revenue from those users (particularly as those users upgrade to BlackBerry devices that do not generate
service access fees or to a competitor’s device), as well as a continued shift in the mix of the Company’s customers from
higher-tiered unlimited plans to prepaid and lower-tiered plans, compared to fiscal 2015.
Other Revenue
Other revenue, which includes non-warranty repairs, accessories, and telecommunications revenues of AtHoc, decreased by
$25 million, or 50.0% to $25 million, or 1.2% of revenue in fiscal 2016 compared to $50 million, or 1.5% of revenue in fiscal
2015. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease in accessory and non-warranty repair revenues.
Revenue Trends
The Company has seen both its revenue and its smartphone market share decline in recent years relative to companies such as
Apple with its iOS ecosystem, and companies that build smartphones based on the Android ecosystem, such as Samsung and
Lenovo/Motorola.
This decline is due to a variety of factors, including consumer preferences for devices with access to the broadest number of
applications, such as those available in the iOS and Android platforms, and lower average selling prices for the Company’s
devices. Revenue and market share have also been impacted by intense competition, including from the significant number of
new Android based competitors that have emerged, and by the BYOD trend in the enterprise market. Some of the Company’s
competitors have greater name recognition, larger customer bases, and significantly greater financial, technical, marketing,
public relations, sales, distribution and other resources than the Company. In addition, uncertainty relating to the Company’s
strategy and operations may have negatively impacted demand for the Company’s products.
The Company has introduced both software and hardware products to address the shift in the market toward enterprise mobility
solutions that can handle a range of requirements and deployment models. See “Business Overview - Strategy, Products and
Services”.
For further information regarding the Company’s competitors, please see the section in the AIF entitled “Narrative Description
of the Business - Competition”.
Revenue by Geography
North America Revenues
Revenues in North America were $952 million, or 44.0% of revenue in fiscal 2016, reflecting a decrease of $39 million
compared to $991 million, or 29.6% of revenue in fiscal 2015. The decrease in North American revenue is primarily
attributable to a decrease in revenue from the United States, which represented approximately 33.0% of total revenue in fiscal
2016, compared to 23.2% of total revenue in fiscal 2015. Sales in Canada represented approximately 11.0% of total revenue in
fiscal 2016, compared to 6.4% of total revenue in fiscal 2015.
Revenues in North America have continued to decline due to the Company’s aging product portfolio, decreased hardware
demand and the continued erosion of revenue from service access fees, partially offset by a result of the increased revenue from
technology licensing, acquired companies and sales of the Company’s newest devices.
As a percentage of overall revenue, revenues in North America increased significantly due to increased revenue from
technology licensing and revenue from WatchDox, AtHoc and Good.
Europe, Middle East and Africa Revenues
Revenues in Europe, Middle East and Africa were $816 million, or 37.8% of revenue, in fiscal 2016, reflecting a decrease of
$615 million compared to $1.4 billion, or 43.0% of revenue, in fiscal 2015. The decrease in revenue is due to decreased
hardware demand and the continued erosion of revenues from service access fees, partially offset by revenue associated with
Secusmart and Good, increased revenue from software licensing and Classic, Leap and PRIV device sales.
Some of the larger markets comprising this region include the United Kingdom, Germany and South Africa.
17
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Latin America Revenues
Revenues in Latin America were $117 million, or 5.4% of revenue, in fiscal 2016, reflecting a decrease of $263 million
compared to $380 million, or 11.4% of revenue, in fiscal 2015. The decrease in revenues is due to decreased hardware demand
and the continued erosion of revenues from service access fees.
Some of the larger markets comprising this region include Argentina, Mexico and Brazil.
Asia Pacific Revenues
Revenues in Asia Pacific were $275 million, or 12.8% of revenue, in fiscal 2016, reflecting a decrease of $258 million
compared to $533 million, or 16.0% of revenue, in fiscal 2015. The decrease in revenues is due to decreased hardware demand
and the continued erosion of revenues from service access fees, partially offset by Classic and PRIV device sales and revenue
associated with Good.
Some of the larger markets comprising this region include Indonesia, Hong Kong and India.
Gross Margin
Gross margin decreased by $663 million or 41.3%, to $941 million, or 43.6% of revenue, in fiscal 2016, compared to $1.6
billion, or 48.1% of revenue, in fiscal 2015. Excluding the relevant Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments and Fiscal 2015 Non-
GAAP Adjustments explained in “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” above, gross margin decreased by $610 million to $1.0
billion, or 46.5% of revenue, compared to 1.6 billion, or 48.8% of revenue, in fiscal 2015.
The $610 million decrease in gross margin was primarily attributable to a decrease in the number of devices for which revenue
was recognized due to decreased hardware demand, as well as a reduction in service access fees revenue, partially offset by the
increase in software and services revenue, as well as an increase in the average selling prices of certain devices recognized, as
previously described compared to fiscal 2015. Generally, service revenues earn higher gross margins than sales of handheld
devices and hardware revenues have lower gross margins than the Company’s overall gross margin.
Operating Expenses
The table below presents a comparison of research and development, selling, marketing and administration, and amortization
expense for fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015.
Revenue(1)
Operating expenses
Research and development(1)(2)
Selling, marketing and administration(1)(2)
Amortization(1)(2)
Abandonment/impairment of long-lived
assets
Debentures fair value adjustment(1)(2)
Total
February 29, 2016
% of
Revenue
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions)
February 28, 2015
% of
Revenue
Change
% of
Change
$
2,160
$
3,335
$
(1,175)
(35.2)%
469
712
277
136
(430)
21.7 %
33.0 %
12.8 %
6.3 %
(19.9)%
711
904
298
34
80
21.3% $
27.1%
8.9%
1.0%
2.4%
$
1,164
53.9 % $
2,027
60.7% $
(242)
(192)
(21)
102
(510)
(863)
(34.0)%
(21.2)%
(7.0)%
300.0 %
(637.5)%
(42.6)%
(1)
(2)
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the impact of the Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments on revenue and
operating expenses in fiscal 2016.
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the impact of the Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments on operating
expenses in fiscal 2015.
Operating expenses decreased by $863 million, or 42.6%, to $1.2 billion, or 53.9% of revenue in fiscal 2016, compared to $2
billion, or 60.7% of revenue, in fiscal 2015. Excluding the impact of the relevant Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments and
Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments, operating expenses decreased by $424 million, or 27.2%. This decrease was primarily
attributable to a decrease in salaries and benefits costs due to a reduction in headcount and decline in marketing and advertising
expenses, partially offset by increases in foreign exchange losses.
18
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits for technical personnel, new product
development costs, travel, office and building infrastructure costs and other employee costs.
Research and development expenses decreased by $242 million, or 34.0%, to $469 million, or 21.7% of revenue, in fiscal 2016,
compared to $711 million, or 21.3%, in fiscal 2015. Excluding the impact of the relevant Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments
and Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments, research and development expenses decreased by $223 million, or 35.6%. The
decrease was primarily attributable to reduced salaries and benefits as a result of a reduction in headcount and reductions in
facilities and maintenance costs compared to fiscal 2015.
Selling, Marketing and Administration Expenses
Selling, marketing and administration expenses consist primarily of marketing, advertising and promotion, salaries and
benefits, external advisory fees, information technology costs, office and related staffing infrastructure costs and travel
expenses.
Selling, marketing and administration expenses decreased by $192 million, or 21.2%, to $712 million, or 33.0% of revenue, in
fiscal 2016 compared to $904 million in fiscal 2015, or 27.1% of revenue. Excluding the impact of the relevant Fiscal 2016
Non-GAAP Adjustments and Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments, selling, marketing and administration expenses decreased
by $152 million, or 22.6%. The decrease was primarily attributable to reductions in marketing and advertising costs and
salaries and benefits as a result of reductions in headcount, partially offset by increases in foreign exchange losses compared to
fiscal 2015.
Amortization Expense
The table below presents a comparison of amortization expense relating to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
recorded as amortization or cost of sales for fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015. Intangible assets are comprised of patents,
licenses and acquired technology.
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions)
February 29,
2016
Included in Amortization
February 28,
2015
Change
February 29,
2016
Included in Cost of sales
February 28,
2015
Change
$
$
73
204
277
$
$
111
187
298
$
$
(38) $
17
(21) $
51
288
339
$
$
73
323
396
$
$
(22)
(35)
(57)
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Total
Amortization
Amortization expense relating to certain property, plant and equipment and intangible assets decreased by $21 million to $277
million for fiscal 2016, compared to $298 million for fiscal 2015. The decrease in amortization expense reflects the lower cost
base of assets as a result of the divestiture of the majority of the Company’s real estate holdings and additional asset sales and
disposals in fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, partially offset by additions in acquired technology from business acquisitions.
Cost of sales
Amortization expense relating to certain property, plant and equipment and intangible assets employed in the Company’s
manufacturing operations and BlackBerry service operations decreased by $57 million to $339 million for fiscal 2016,
compared to $396 million for fiscal 2015. This decrease primarily reflects the lower cost base of asset sales in fiscal 2015,
partially offset by certain intangible asset and property, plant and equipment additions in fiscal 2016.
Investment Income (Loss), Net
Investment income decreased by $97 million to a loss of $59 million in fiscal 2016, from income of $38 million in fiscal 2015.
The decrease in investment income is primarily attributable to the Rockstar Sale and gains on the sale of certain investments in
fiscal 2015 not present in fiscal 2016, which was partially offset by increases in the Company’s average cash and investment
balances. See “Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital Resources”.
Income Taxes
For fiscal 2016, the Company’s net effective income tax recovery rate was approximately 26%, compared to approximately
21% for the prior fiscal year. The Company's net effective income tax recovery rate reflects the fact that the Company has a
significant valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets, and in particular, the gain from the change in fair value of the
19
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Debentures, amongst other items, was offset by a corresponding adjustment of the valuation allowance. During the second
quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company made the determination that the cumulative undistributed earnings for certain foreign
subsidiaries will be indefinitely reinvested, and as a result, the withholding tax accrual of $33 million recorded in respect of
these subsidiaries was reversed. During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, in connection with the Company’s acquisitions in the
quarter, deferred tax liabilities were established, primarily related to the acquired identifiable intangible assets and these
deferred tax liabilities exceeded the acquired deferred tax assets thus allowing the Company to realize a tax benefit by releasing
the valuation allowance associated with the Company’s overall deferred tax assets. The Company’s net effective income tax
recovery rate also reflects the geographic mix of earnings in jurisdictions with different income tax rates.
Net Loss
The Company’s net loss for fiscal 2016 was $208 million, reflecting a decrease in net loss of $96 million compared to a net loss
of $304 million in fiscal 2015. Excluding the impact of the relevant Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments and Fiscal 2015 Non-
GAAP Adjustments, the Company’s net loss for fiscal 2016 was $102 million compared to net income of $45 million in fiscal
2015, reflecting a decrease in net income of $147 million due to a reduction in the Company’s gross margin and recovery of
income taxes, which was partially offset by decreases in the operating expenses.
Basic loss per share was $0.40 and diluted loss per share was $0.86 in fiscal 2016, a decrease in loss per share of 31.0% and an
increase in loss per share of 48.3%, respectively, compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.58 in fiscal 2015.
The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 526 million common shares for basic and 651 million common shares
for diluted loss per share for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 and 528 million common shares for both basic and diluted
loss per share for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015.
Common Shares Outstanding
On March 29, 2016, there were 521 million voting common shares, options to purchase 1 million voting common shares, 27
million restricted share units and 0.4 million deferred share units outstanding. In addition, 125 million common shares are
issuable upon conversion in full of the Debentures.
The Company has not paid any cash dividends during the last three fiscal years.
Results of Operations - Three months ended February 29, 2016 compared to the three months ended February 28, 2015
The following table sets forth certain unaudited consolidated statements of operations data, which is expressed in millions of
dollars, except for share and per share amounts and as a percentage of revenue, for the three months ended February 29, 2016
and February 28, 2015:
Revenue(1)
Gross margin (1)(2)
Operating expenses (1)(2)
Investment income (loss), net (2)
Loss before income taxes
Recovery of income taxes
Net income (loss)
Earnings (loss) per share - reported
Basic and diluted
For the Three Months Ended
(in millions, except for share and per share amounts)
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
Change
464
210
451
(15)
(256)
(18)
(238)
100.0 %
45.3 %
97.2 %
(3.2)%
(55.1)%
(3.9)%
(51.3)% $
660
318
424
105
(1)
(29)
28
100.0 %
48.2 %
64.2 %
15.9 %
(0.1)%
(4.4)%
4.3 % $
(196)
(108)
27
(120)
(255)
11
(266)
(0.45)
$
0.05
$
(0.50)
$
$
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
(000’s)
Basic and diluted
524,627
528,685
_________________________
(1)
(2)
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the impact of the Q4 Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments on revenue,
gross margin and operating expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the impact of the Q4 Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments on gross margin,
operating expenses and investment income (loss), net in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
20
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Revenue
Revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 was $464 million, a decrease of approximately $196 million, or 29.7%, from $660
million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
Comparative breakdowns of the significant revenue categories and geographic regions are set forth in the following table:
For the Three Months Ended
(in millions)
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
Change
0.6
130
184
143
7
464
216
175
18
55
464
$
$
$
$
1.3
74
274
301
11
660
205
283
60
112
660
(0.7)
(53.8)%
11.2% $
41.5%
45.6%
1.7%
100.0% $
31.0% $
42.9%
9.1%
17.0%
100.0% $
56
(90)
(158)
(4)
(196)
11
(108)
(42)
(57)
(196)
75.7 %
(32.8)%
(52.5)%
(36.4)%
(29.7)%
5.4 %
(38.2)%
(70.0)%
(50.9)%
(29.7)%
28.0% $
39.7%
30.8%
1.5%
100.0% $
46.5% $
37.7%
3.9%
11.9%
100.0% $
BlackBerry handheld devices recognized
Revenue
Software and services
Hardware
Service access fees
Other
Revenue by Geography
North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Latin America
Asia Pacific
Revenue by Category
Software and Services Revenue
Software and services revenue was $130 million, or 28.0% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to $74
million, or 11.2% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, representing an increase of $56 million or 75.7%. The
Company believes that the increase in software and services revenue over the prior fiscal year was primarily attributable to the
increase in revenue from software licensing, as well as revenue from advertising and technical support.
For a discussion of the Company’s revenue recognition policies and critical accounting estimates, see the section entitled
“Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates - Accounting Policies” and “Accounting Policies and Critical
Accounting Estimates - Critical Accounting Estimates - Revenue Recognition.”
In the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company stated that it expected a double-digit quarterly growth rate in software
revenues, excluding technology licensing, on a year-over-year basis. Software revenues, excluding technology licensing,
increased by approximately 75% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
Hardware Revenue
Hardware revenue was $184 million, or 39.7% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, compared to $274 million, or
41.5% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, representing a decrease of $90 million, or 32.8%. The Company
recognized revenue related to approximately 0.6 million BlackBerry handheld devices in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016,
reflecting a decrease of approximately 0.7 million devices, or 53.8%, compared to approximately 1.3 million BlackBerry
handheld devices recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The Company believes that the significant decrease in
hardware revenue over the prior fiscal year period was primarily attributable to decreased hardware demand, partially offset by
an increase in the average selling prices with the introduction of new devices, including the PRIV, Passport SE, Classic, and
Leap.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, approximately 0.7 million BlackBerry smartphones were sold through to end
customers, which included shipments made and recognized prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and which reduced the
Company’s inventory in channel. The number of BlackBerry smartphones that were sold through to end customers was 0.9
million in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 and 1.6 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
21
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Service Access Fees Revenue
Service access fees revenue decreased by $158 million, or 52.5%, to $143 million, or 30.8% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2016, compared to $301 million, or 45.6% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
The decrease in service access fees revenue, which is generated from users of BlackBerry 7 and prior BlackBerry operating
systems, is primarily attributable to a lower number of those users and corresponding lower revenue from those users
(particularly as those users upgrade to BlackBerry devices that do not generate service access fees or to a competitor’s device),
compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015, and a continued shift in the mix of the Company’s customers from higher-tiered
unlimited plans to prepaid and lower-tiered plans as well as pricing reduction programs implemented by the Company to
maintain the customer base.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company stated its expectations that service access fees revenues would decline by
approximately 18% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. Service access fees revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016
decreased by approximately 17% compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2016. The Company expects service access fees
revenue to continue to decline by 18% in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.
Other Revenue
Other revenue decreased by $4 million, or 36.4%, to $7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to $11 million in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in non-warranty repair revenue, partially
offset by telecommunications revenue of AtHoc.
Gross Margin
Gross margin decreased by $108 million, or 34.0%, to $210 million, or 45.3% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016,
compared to $318 million, or 48.2% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. Excluding the relevant Q4 Fiscal 2016
Non-GAAP Adjustments and Q4 Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments, gross margin decreased by $83 million to $237 million,
or 48.7% of revenue, compared to $320 million, or 48.5% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
The $83 million decrease in gross margin was primarily attributable to a decrease in the number of devices for which revenue
was recognized due to decreased hardware demand, as well as a reduction in service access fees revenue. The decrease was
partially offset by an increase in software and services revenue, as well as an increase in the average selling prices of certain
devices recognized, as previously described. Generally, service revenues earn higher gross margins than sales of handheld
devices and hardware revenues have lower gross margins than the Company’s overall gross margin.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company stated that in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 it expected non-GAAP gross
margin of approximately 40% and expected gross margin on hardware to increase. The non-GAAP gross margin in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2016 was 48.7% due to higher margins in hardware and software and services. The Company expects non-
GAAP gross margin in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 of approximately 45% to 50%.
22
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Operating Expenses
The table below presents a comparison of research and development, selling, marketing and administration, and amortization
expenses for the quarter ended February 29, 2016, compared to the quarter ended November 28, 2015 and the quarter ended
February 28, 2015. The Company believes it is meaningful to also provide a comparison between the fourth quarter of fiscal
2016 and the third quarter of fiscal 2016 given that the Company’s quarterly operating results vary substantially.
Revenue(1)(2)
Operating expenses
Research and development(1)(2)(3)
Selling, marketing and administration(1)(2)(3)
Amortization(1)(2)(3)
Abandonment/impairment of long-lived
assets
Debentures fair value adjustment(1)(2)(3)
Total
$
$
_________________________
For the Three Months Ended
(in millions)
February 29, 2016
November 28, 2015
February 28, 2015
% of
Revenue
$
23.3 %
38.6 %
16.6 %
27.4 %
(8.6)%
97.2 % $
464
108
179
77
127
(40)
451
% of
Revenue
$
18.2 %
31.9 %
12.4 %
0.4 %
(0.9)%
62.0 % $
548
100
175
68
2
(5)
340
% of
Revenue
20.3%
20.9%
10.3%
5.2%
7.6%
64.2%
660
134
138
68
34
50
424
(1)
(2)
(3)
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the impact of the Q4 Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments on revenue and
operating expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company had software deferred revenue acquired but not recognized due to
business combination accounting rules of approximately $9 million, recorded non-cash income associated with a
change in the fair value of the Debentures of approximately $5 million, RAP charges of approximately $2 million and
$26 million in research and development and selling, marketing and administration expenses, respectively, CORE
program recoveries of approximately $6 million in selling, marketing and administration expenses, stock
compensation expense of approximately $4 million and $10 million in research and development and selling,
marketing and administration expenses, respectively, amortization of intangible assets acquired through business
combinations of approximately $18 million in amortization expense, and business acquisition and integration costs
incurred through business combinations of approximately $11 million in selling, marketing and administration
expense (collectively the “Q3 Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments”).
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for the impact of the Q4 Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments on operating
expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
Operating expenses increased by $111 million, or 32.6%, to $451 million, or 97.2% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal
2016, compared to $340 million, or 62.0% of revenue, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. Excluding the impact of the relevant
Q4 Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments and Q3 Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments, operating expenses decreased by $22
million, or 7.9%. The decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in marketing, advertising and legal costs, partially offset
by increases in foreign exchange losses and external advisory fees.
Operating expenses increased by $27 million, or 6.4%, to $451 million, or 97.2% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal
2016, compared to $424 million, or 64.2% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. Excluding the impact of the relevant
Q4 Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP Adjustments and Q4 Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments, operating expenses decreased by $36
million, or 12.2%. This decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in marketing, advertising and salaries and benefits
costs, partially offset by increases in foreign exchange losses compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development expenses decreased by $26 million, or 19.4% to $108 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016
compared to $134 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. Excluding the impact of the relevant Q4 Fiscal 2016 Non-GAAP
Adjustments and Q4 Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments, research and development expenses decreased by $39 million, or
31.5%. This decrease was primarily attributable to decreases in salaries and benefits costs and reductions in materials and
outsourcing costs.
23
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Selling, Marketing and Administration Expenses
Selling, marketing and administration expenses increased by $41 million, or 29.7%, to $179 million in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2016 compared to $138 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. Excluding the impact of the relevant Q4 Fiscal 2016
Non-GAAP Adjustments and Q4 Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments, selling, marketing and administration expenses
increased by $13 million, or 11.7%. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in foreign exchange losses and salaries
and expenses, which were partially offset by decreases in marketing and advertising expenses and decline in maintenance costs.
Amortization Expense
The table below presents a comparison of amortization expense relating to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
recorded as amortization or cost of sales for the quarter ended February 29, 2016 compared to the quarter ended February 28,
2015. Intangible assets are comprised of patents, licenses and acquired technology.
For the Three Months Ended
(in millions)
Included in Amortization
Included in Cost of sales
February 29,
2016
February 28,
2015
Change
February 29,
2016
February 28,
2015
Change
$
$
15
62
77
$
$
23
45
68
$
$
(8) $
17
9
$
12
38
50
$
$
16
78
94
$
$
(4)
(40)
(44)
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Total
Amortization
Amortization expense relating to certain property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets increased by $9 million to
$77 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to $68 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The increase in
amortization expense was primarily attributable to the intangibles acquired from businesses previously discussed, partially
offset by the lower cost base of assets as a result of the divestiture of the majority of the Company’s real estate holdings and
additional asset sales, as well as reduced spending on capital and intangible assets.
Cost of sales
Amortization expense relating to certain property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets employed in the
Company’s manufacturing operations and BlackBerry service operations decreased by $44 million to $50 million for the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to $94 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. This decrease primarily reflects the lower
cost base of assets as a result of asset sales in fiscal 2015.
Investment Income (Loss), Net
Investment income decreased by $120 million to a loss of $15 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from a gain of $105
million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. The decrease in investment income is primarily attributable to the Rockstar Sale in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015 not present in fiscal 2016, gains on the sale of certain investments in the prior year, and
decreases in the Company’s average cash and investment balances. See “Financial Condition - Liquidity and Capital
Resources” below.
Income Taxes
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company’s net effective income tax expense rate was approximately 7%, compared to
approximately 2,900% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The Company’s income tax recovery rate also reflects the
fact that the Company has a significant valuation allowance in place against its deferred tax assets, and in particular, due to this
valuation allowance, the significant income statement impact of the gain from the change in fair value of the Debentures,
amongst other items, was offset by a corresponding adjustment of the valuation allowance. The Company’s net effective
income tax recovery rate also reflects the geographic mix of earnings in jurisdictions with different income tax rates.
Net Income (Loss)
The Company’s net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 was $238 million, or $0.45 basic and diluted loss per share on a
GAAP basis, reflecting a decrease in net income of $266 million compared to a net income of $28 million, or $0.05 basic and
diluted earnings per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. Excluding the impact of the relevant Q4 Fiscal 2016 Non-
GAAP Adjustments and Q4 Fiscal 2015 Non-GAAP Adjustments, the Company’s net loss was $18 million compared to a net
income of $44 million, reflecting a decrease in net income of $62 million due to an increase in operating expenditures and
decreases in the recovery of income taxes and the Company’s gross margin.
24
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 525 million common shares for basic and diluted loss per share for the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2016. The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 529 million common shares for basic
and diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015.
Selected Quarterly Financial Data
The following table sets forth the Company’s unaudited quarterly consolidated results of operations data for each of the eight
most recent quarters, including the quarter ended February 29, 2016. The information in the table below has been derived from
the Company’s unaudited interim consolidated financial statements that, in management’s opinion, have been prepared on a
basis consistent with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company and include all adjustments necessary for a
fair presentation of information when read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company.
The Company’s quarterly operating results have varied substantially in the past and may vary substantially in the future.
Accordingly, the information below is not necessarily indicative of results for any future quarter.
(in millions, except per share data)
Fiscal Year 2016
Fiscal Year 2015
Fourth
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Second
Quarter
First
Quarter
Fourth
Quarter
Third
Quarter
Second
Quarter
First
Quarter
Revenue
Gross margin
Operating expenses
Income (loss) before income
taxes
Provision for (recovery of)
income taxes
$
$
464
210
451
$
548
236
340
(256)
(120)
(18)
(31)
Net income (loss)
$
(238) $
(89) $
$
490
185
152
21
(30)
51
$
658
310
221
73
5
68
$
$
$
660
318
424
$
793
410
549
$
916
425
623
(1)
(160)
(218)
(29)
28
(12)
(148) $
(11)
(207) $
966
451
431
(6)
(29)
23
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per
share
Diluted earnings (loss) per
share
Research and development
Selling, marketing and
administration
Amortization
Abandonment/impairment of
long-lived assets
Debentures fair value
adjustment
Operating expenses
$
$
$
(0.45) $
(0.17) $
0.10
$
0.13
$
0.05
(0.45) $
(0.17) $
(0.24) $
(0.10) $
0.05
108
$
100
$
122
$
139
$
134
179
77
127
(40)
175
68
2
(5)
$
451
$
340
$
186
67
5
173
65
1
(228)
152
$
(157)
221
138
68
34
50
$
424
$
(0.28) $
(0.39) $
0.04
(0.28) $
(0.39) $
(0.37)
154
$
186
$
237
171
74
—
150
549
$
195
75
—
167
623
400
81
—
(287)
431
$
$
$
$
$
Financial Condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments decreased by $642 million to $2.6 billion as at February 29, 2016 from $3.3 billion as
at February 28, 2015, primarily as a result of the Good, AtHoc, WatchDox and Encription acquisitions and cash used in the
Repurchase Program, partially offset by receipt of the Company’s fiscal 2015 Canadian income tax refund. The majority of the
Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and investments are denominated in U.S. dollars as at February 29, 2016.
25
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
A comparative summary of cash, cash equivalents, and investments is set out below:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash
Short-term investments
Long-term investments
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
As at
(in millions)
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
Change
$
$
957
$
1,233
$
50
1,420
197
59
1,658
316
2,624
$
3,266
$
(276)
(9)
(238)
(119)
(642)
The table below summarizes the current assets, current liabilities, and working capital of the Company:
Current assets
Current liabilities
Working capital
Current Assets
As at
(in millions)
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2015
Change
$
$
3,011
1,039
1,972
$
$
4,167
1,372
2,795
$
$
(1,156)
(333)
(823)
The decrease in current assets of $1,156 million at the end of fiscal 2016 from the end of fiscal 2015 was primarily due to
decreases in cash and cash equivalents of $276 million, other current assets of $273 million, short term investments of $238
million, income taxes receivable of $169 million, and accounts receivable of $165 million.
At February 29, 2016, accounts receivable was $338 million, a decrease of $165 million from February 28, 2015. The decrease
reflects the lower revenues recognized during fiscal 2016, as well as a decrease in days sales outstanding to approximately 68
days in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 from approximately 69 days at the end of fiscal 2015.
At February 29, 2016, income taxes receivable was nil, a decrease of $169 million from February 28, 2015. The decrease in
income taxes receivable was primarily due to the receipt of the Company’s 2015 Canadian income tax refund.
At February 29, 2016, other current assets was $102 million, a decrease of $273 million from February 28, 2015. The decrease
in other current assets was due to the recognition of previously deferred cost of goods sold, upon recognition of the related
deferred revenue and by a decrease in the fair value of derivative instruments.
At February 29, 2016, inventories increased by $21 million to $143 million compared to $122 million as at February 28, 2015,
due to increases in raw materials and finished goods, offset by a decrease in work in process.
Current Liabilities
The decrease in current liabilities of $333 million at the end of fiscal 2016 from the end of fiscal 2015 was primarily due to
decreases in accrued liabilities and deferred revenue. As at February 29, 2016, accrued liabilities were $368 million, reflecting
a decrease of $299 million compared to February 28, 2015, which was primarily attributable to decreases in vendor liabilities,
warranty liabilities and accrued incentive payments compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. Accounts payable was $270
million as at February 29, 2016, reflecting an increase of $35 million from February 28, 2015, which was primarily attributable
to amounts owing for the manufacturing of devices. Deferred revenue was $392 million, which reflects a decrease of $78
million compared to February 28, 2015 due to an increase in the volume of transactions that met the criteria for recognition of
revenue as at February 29, 2016.
26
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cash flows for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016 compared to the fiscal year ended February 28, 2015 were as follows:
Net cash flows provided by (used in):
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
Effect of foreign exchange loss on cash and cash equivalents
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Operating Activities
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions)
February 29,
2016
February 28,
2015
Change
$
$
$
257
(439)
(78)
(16)
(276) $
$
813
(1,173)
16
(2)
(346) $
(556)
734
(94)
(14)
70
The decrease in net cash flows provided by operating activities of $556 million primarily reflects the Company’s lower amount
of net income after adjustments for non-cash items, offset by net changes in working capital.
Investing Activities
During the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, cash flows used in investing activities were $439 million and included cash
flows used in business acquisitions of $698 million, intangible asset additions of $70 million, acquisitions of property, plant and
equipment of $32 million, offset by proceeds on sale or maturity of short-term investments and long-term investments, net of
the costs of acquisitions, in the amount of $357 million. For the same period of the prior fiscal year, cash flows used in
investing activities were $1.2 billion and included cash flows used in transactions involving the proceeds on sale or maturity of
short-term investments and long-term investments, net of the costs of acquisitions, in the amount of $894 million, intangible
asset additions of $421 million, business acquisitions of $119 million, acquisitions of property, plant and equipment of $87
million, offset by proceeds on the sale of property, plant and equipment of $344 million.
During the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, the cash flows used in business acquisitions related to the Good, AtHoc,
WatchDox and Encription acquisitions.
Financing Activities
The decrease in cash flows provided by financing activities was $94 million for fiscal 2016 and was primarily attributable to
the cash used in the Repurchase Program, partially offset by the release of restricted cash.
Aggregate Contractual Obligations
The following table sets out aggregate information about the Company’s contractual obligations and the periods in which
payments are due as at February 29, 2016:
Total
Less than One
Year
(in millions)
One to
Three Years
Four to Five
Years
Greater than
Five Years
Operating lease obligations
Purchase obligations and commitments
Long-term debt interest and principal
payments
Total
$
$
116
391
353
860
$
$
37
$
371
75
483
$
51
20
150
221
$
$
21
—
128
149
$
$
7
—
—
7
Aggregate contractual obligations amounted to approximately $860 million as at February 29, 2016, including purchase orders
with contract manufacturers in the amount of $162 million. The Company also has commitments on account of capital
expenditures of approximately $2 million included in this total, primarily for manufacturing and information technology,
including service operations. The remaining balance consists of purchase orders or contracts with suppliers of raw materials, as
well as other goods and services utilized in the operations of the Company, including payments on account of licensing
agreements. Total aggregate contractual obligations as at February 29, 2016 decreased by $444 million as compared to the
February 28, 2015 balance of approximately $1.3 billion, which was primarily attributable to a decrease in purchase orders with
contract manufacturers and payments on account of licensing agreements, as well as a decrease in interest payments on the
Debentures, and operating lease commitments.
27
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Debenture Financing and Other Funding Sources
Please see Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Debentures.
The Company has $44 million in collateralized outstanding letters of credit in support of certain leasing arrangements entered
into in the ordinary course of business. Please see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information
concerning the Company’s restricted cash.
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments were approximately $2.6 billion as at February 29, 2016. The Company’s management
remains focused on maintaining appropriate cash balances, efficiently managing working capital balances and managing the
liquidity needs of the business. In addition, the Company continues to pursue opportunities to reallocate resources through the
RAP and to attain further cost savings in the coming fiscal quarters. Based on its current financial projections, the Company
believes its financial resources, together with expected future operating cash generating and operating expense reduction
activities and access to other potential financing arrangements, should be sufficient to meet funding requirements for current
financial commitments and future operating expenditures not yet committed, and should provide the necessary financial
capacity for the foreseeable future.
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or under applicable Canadian securities laws.
Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in litigation in the normal course of its business, both as a defendant and as a plaintiff. Management
reviews all of the relevant facts for each claim and applies judgment in evaluating the likelihood and, if applicable, the amount
of any potential loss. Where a potential loss is considered probable and the amount is reasonably estimable, provisions for loss
are made based on management’s assessment of the likely outcome. Where a range of loss can be reasonably estimated with no
best estimate in the range, the Company records the minimum amount in the range. The Company does not provide for claims
for which the outcome is not determinable or claims for which the amount of the loss cannot be reasonably estimated. Any
settlements or awards under such claims are provided for when reasonably determinable.
As of February 29, 2016, there are no claims outstanding for which the Company has assessed the potential loss as both
probable to result and reasonably estimable, therefore no accrual has been made. Please see Note 14 (Commitments and
Contingencies) to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of the Company’s legal matters.
Market Risk of Financial Instruments
The Company is engaged in operating and financing activities that generate risk in three primary areas:
Foreign Exchange
The Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk as a result of transactions in currencies other than its functional currency, the
U.S. dollar. The majority of the Company’s revenues in fiscal 2016 were transacted in U.S. dollars. Portions of the revenues
were denominated in Canadian dollars, Euros and British pounds. Purchases of raw materials are primarily transacted in U.S.
dollars. Other expenses, consisting mainly of salaries, certain operating costs and manufacturing overhead are incurred
primarily in Canadian dollars, but were also incurred in U.S dollars, Euros and British pounds. At February 29, 2016,
approximately 10% of cash and cash equivalents, 30% of accounts receivables and 16% of accounts payable were denominated
in foreign currencies (February 28, 2015 – 26%, 30% and 13%, respectively). These foreign currencies primarily include the
Canadian dollar, Euro and British pound. As part of its risk management strategy, the Company maintains net monetary asset
and/or liability balances in foreign currencies and engages in foreign currency hedging activities using derivative financial
instruments, including currency forward contracts and currency options. The Company does not use derivative instruments for
speculative purposes. Please see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning the Company’s
foreign currency hedging activities.
Interest Rate
Cash and cash equivalents and investments are invested in certain instruments of varying maturities. Consequently, the
Company is exposed to interest rate risk as a result of holding investments of varying maturities. The fair value of investments,
as well as the investment income derived from the investment portfolio, will fluctuate with changes in prevailing interest rates.
The Company has also issued the Debentures with a fixed interest rate. The fair value of the Debentures will fluctuate with
changes in prevailing interest rates. Consequently, the Company is exposed to interest rate risk as a result of the long term of
the Debentures. The Company does not currently utilize interest rate derivative instruments to hedge its investment portfolio.
28
BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Credit and Customer Concentration
The Company has historically been dependent on a number of significant telecommunication carriers and distribution partners
and on larger more complex contracts with respect to sales of the majority of its products and services. The Company, in the
normal course of business, monitors the financial condition of its customers and reviews the credit history of each new
customer. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts (“AFDA”) that corresponds to the specific credit risk
of its customers, historical trends and economic circumstances. The AFDA as at February 29, 2016 was $10 million
(February 28, 2015 - $10 million). The Company also purchases insurance coverage for a portion of its accounts receivable
balances. There were no customers that comprised more than 10% of accounts receivable as at February 29, 2016 (February 28,
2015 – no customers that comprised more than 10%). Additionally, there were no customers that comprised more than 10% of
the Company’s revenue in fiscal 2016 (fiscal 2015 – no customers that comprised more than 10%; fiscal 2014 – no customers
that comprised more than 10%). During fiscal 2016, the percentage of the Company’s receivable balance that was past due
decreased by 1% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2015. Although the Company actively monitors and attempts to
collect on its receivables as they become due, the risk of further delays or challenges in obtaining timely payments from its
carrier and distributor partners of receivables exists. The occurrence of such delays or challenges in obtaining timely payments
could negatively impact the Company’s liquidity.
Market values are determined for each individual security in the investment portfolio. The Company assesses declines in the
value of individual investments for impairment to determine whether the decline is other-than-temporary. The Company makes
this assessment by considering available evidence including changes in general market conditions, specific industry and
individual company data, the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial
condition, the near-term prospects of the individual investment and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the debt securities
to maturity. The Company did not record any other-than-temporary impairment charges for the fiscal year ended February 29,
2016.
Please see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s credit risk as it
pertains to its foreign exchange derivative counterparties.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures and Internal Controls
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of February 29, 2016, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the
Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and its Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness
of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)
under the U.S. Exchange Act. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have
concluded that, as of such date, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to give reasonable assurance
that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the U.S. Exchange Act is
(i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and
(ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or
persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.
Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the U.S. Exchange Act as a process
designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the
Board, management and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the
preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP and includes those policies and
procedures that:
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•
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pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the Company;
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made
only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and
provide reasonable assurance regarding the prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisitions, use or
dispositions of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
On October 30, 2015 and September 22, 2015, the Company completed the acquisitions of Good and AtHoc, respectively,
which are included in the fiscal 2016 consolidated financial statements of the Company and constituted 19% and 23% of total
and net assets, respectively, as of February 29, 2016, and 3% and 13% of revenues and net loss before tax, respectively, for the
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BlackBerry Limited
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
year then ended. In conducting their evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company's internal controls over financial reporting,
management has excluded Good and AtHoc from its assessment of internal controls over financial reporting as of February 29,
2016 because they were acquired by the Company during fiscal 2016.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.
Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 29, 2016. In
making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (COSO) in its Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013). Based on this assessment, management believes
that, as of February 29, 2016, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The Company’s independent auditors have issued an audit report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
This report is included with the Consolidated Financial Statements. The independent auditors’ audit report also did not include
an evaluation of the internal control over financial reporting of Good and AtHoc.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the fiscal year ended February 29, 2016, no changes were made to the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over
financial reporting.
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