UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________________
FORM 10-K
☒
☐
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 001-38232
______________________________________________________
BlackBerry Limited
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Canada
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or
organization)
Waterloo
2200 University Ave East
Canada
Ontario
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
98-0164408
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
N2K 0A7
(Zip Code)
(519) 888-7465
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Shares
Common Shares
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
BB
BB
New York Stock Exchange
Toronto Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes x No o
Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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 x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted
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 such files).
Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller
reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”,
“smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
x
o
Accelerated filer
Smaller reporting company
Emerging growth company
☐
☐
☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period
for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the
effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C.
7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No x
The aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant on August 31, 2020, the last business day of
the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based on the closing price of the common shares as reported by
the New York Stock Exchange, was approximately $2.9 billion. The registrant had 565,542,886 shares of common shares
issued and outstanding as of March 26, 2021.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s proxy statement for its 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part
III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K to the extent stated herein. Such proxy statement will be filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission within 120 days after the registrant’s fiscal year ended February 28, 2021.
BLACKBERRY LIMITED
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Business
Risk Factors
Unresolved Staff Comments
Properties
Legal Proceedings
Mine Safety Disclosures
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of
Equity Securities
Selected Financial Data
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Controls and Procedures
Other Information
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
Executive Compensation
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Exhibit and Financial Statement Schedules
Form 10-K Summary
Page No.
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PART I
Item 1
Item 1A
Item 1B
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
PART II
Item 5
Item 6
Item 7
Item 7A
Item 8
Item 9
Item 9A
Item 9B
Part III
Item 10
Item 11
Item 12
Item 13
Item 14
PART IV
Item 15
Item 16
Signatures
3
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the “Company” and “BlackBerry” include BlackBerry Limited and its
subsidiaries.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
The Company
PART I
The Company provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The
Company secures more than 500 million endpoints including more than 175 million cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo,
Ontario, the Company leverages artificial intelligence (“AI”) and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas
of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security, endpoint management, encryption,
and embedded systems.
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 common
shares trade under the ticker symbol “BB” on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and the Toronto Stock Exchange
(“TSX”).
Intercorporate Relationships
The Company has three material subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company in each
case as at February 28, 2021.
Name of Subsidiary
BlackBerry Corporation
BlackBerry UK Limited
Cylance Inc.
Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization
Delaware, U.S.A.
England and Wales
Delaware, U.S.A.
Internet of Things Security Software Industry
As the digital transformation of enterprises continues to advance, workforces are becoming more distributed and mobile, and
data and applications are increasingly migrating to the cloud. As part of this trend, the number of connected endpoints is
growing rapidly, as is their complexity and the volume of sensitive data that they process and store. These endpoints, which
include smartphones, laptops, desktops, servers, vehicles, industrial equipment and other connected devices in the Internet of
Things (“IoT”), increasingly operate beyond the traditional network security perimeter and present an expanding attack surface
to cyber adversaries. During fiscal 2020, the decentralization of the enterprise was accelerated by the global response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted many organizations to pivot to substantially remote and mobile work models.
At the same time, the threat environment for enterprises has become increasingly hostile as the number of adversaries grows
and the scale and sophistication of their attacks, increasingly focused on the endpoint, continue to develop. Today’s malicious
actors are often well-trained and well-funded criminal organizations, state-sponsored agents and international hacking
collectives with the capability of employing advanced techniques to penetrate endpoints and encrypt, destroy or exfiltrate data.
These groups have been responsible for highly publicized breaches that have exposed personal information and intellectual
property, disrupted operations and caused significant financial and reputational damage to organizations across a broad range of
industries.
Against this backdrop, regulators are enacting new measures to ensure that enterprises are held accountable for their
management of cybersecurity risk. In particular, changes to data privacy laws in the United States, Europe and other
jurisdictions are compounding the challenges faced by organizations by increasing their responsibilities for securing their data
as well as that of their customers.
This landscape of growing vulnerability and accountability has created opportunities for secure communications platforms,
endpoint cybersecurity and management solutions, embedded systems, enterprise applications, analytic tools and related
services that help enterprises to secure their connected endpoints, enhance data privacy and demonstrate compliance with
applicable regulations.
4
Strategy
The Company is widely recognized for its intelligent security software and services and believes that it delivers the broadest set
of security capabilities in the market to connect, protect and manage IoT endpoints. The Company leverages its extensive
technology portfolio to offer best-in-class cybersecurity, safety and reliability to enterprise customers in government, regulated
industries and other core verticals.
The Company’s goal is to offer smarter security solutions that are more effective, require fewer resources to support and
produce a better return on investment for customers than competing offerings. To achieve this vision, the Company continues to
extend the functionality of its AI-focused BlackBerry Spark® software platform through organic investments and strategic
acquisitions and partnerships.
The Company’s go-to-market strategy focuses principally on generating revenue from enterprise software, services and
licensing. The Company intends to drive revenue growth and to achieve margins that are consistent with those of other
enterprise software companies.
Products and Services
The Company is organized and managed as one operating segment. The Company has multiple products and services from
which it derives revenue, which are structured in two groups: Software and Services, and Licensing and Other. Software and
Services consists of the Company’s BlackBerry Spark software platform business and BlackBerry IoT Solutions business.
Licensing and Other consists primarily of the Company’s patent licensing business and service access fees (“SAF”).
Software and Services
BlackBerry Spark
The Company’s core secure software and services offering is its BlackBerry Spark software platform, which integrates a unified
endpoint security (“UES”) layer with BlackBerry unified endpoint management (“UEM”) to enable secure endpoint
communications in a zero trust environment. BlackBerry UES is a set of complementary cybersecurity products offering
endpoint protection platform (“EPP”), endpoint detection and response (“EDR”), mobile threat defense (“MTD”), and user and
entity behavior analytics (“UEBA”) capabilities. The BlackBerry Spark platform is informed by the Company’s AI and
machine learning capabilities, continuous innovations, professional cybersecurity services, industry partnerships and academic
collaborations. The Company is currently executing on a robust schedule of product launches for BlackBerry Spark to deliver a
comprehensive security approach operating on a single agent across all endpoints, administered from a single console,
leveraging a single crowd-sourced threat data repository and managed in one cloud environment. BlackBerry Spark solutions
are available through the BlackBerry Spark® Unified Endpoint Security Suite and the BlackBerry Spark® Unified Endpoint
Management Suite, which are also marketed together as the BlackBerry Spark® Suites, offering the Company’s most
comprehensive range of tailored cybersecurity and endpoint management options.
The BlackBerry Spark UES Suite offers leading Cylance® AI and machine learning-based cybersecurity solutions, including:
BlackBerry® Protect, an EPP and available MTD solution that uses machine learning to prevent suspicious behavior and the
execution of malicious code on an endpoint; BlackBerry® Optics, an EDR solution that provides both visibility into and
prevention of malicious activity on an endpoint; BlackBerry® Guard, a managed detection and response solution that provides
24/7 threat hunting and monitoring; and BlackBerry® Persona, a UEBA solution that provides continuous authentication by
validating user identity in real time. The combined platform features industry-leading threat prevention modules to help
organizations cope with the significant growth of cyberattacks. The Company also offers incident response, compromised
assessment and containment services to assist clients with forensic analysis, state of existing systems and remediation of
attacks.
In addition, the Company offers the BlackBerry Cyber Suite, a UEM-agnostic version of its BlackBerry Spark® UES Suite
which organizations will be able to integrate with UEM software from other leading vendors.
The BlackBerry Spark UEM Suite includes the Company’s BlackBerry® UEM, BlackBerry® Dynamics™ and BlackBerry®
Workspaces solutions. BlackBerry UEM is a central software component of the Company’s secure communications platform,
offering a “single pane of glass”, or unified console view, for managing and securing devices, applications, identity, content and
endpoints across all leading operating systems. BlackBerry Dynamics offers a best-in-class development platform and secure
container for mobile applications, including the Company’s own enterprise applications such as BlackBerry® Work and
BlackBerry® Connect for secure collaboration.
The Company also offers the BlackBerry® Spark SDK to promote the evolution of a platform ecosystem by enabling enterprise
and independent software vendor (“ISV”) developers to integrate the security features of BlackBerry Spark into their own
mobile and web applications.
5
BlackBerry IoT Solutions
The BlackBerry IoT Solutions business consists of BlackBerry Technology Solutions (“BTS”) and Secure Communications.
BlackBerry Technology Solutions
The principal component of BTS is BlackBerry QNX, a global provider of real-time operating systems, middleware,
development tools, and professional services for connected embedded systems in the automotive, medical, industrial
automation and other markets. A recognized leader in automotive software, BlackBerry QNX offers a growing portfolio of
safety-certified, secure and reliable platform solutions and is focused on achieving design wins with automotive original
equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), Tier 1 vendors and automotive semiconductor suppliers. These solutions include the
Neutrino® operating system and the BlackBerry QNX® CAR platform, the most advanced embedded software platform for the
autonomous vehicle market, as well as other products designed to alleviate the challenges of compliance with ISO 26262, the
automotive industry’s functional safety standard. Additionally, the Company’s secure automotive over-the-air software update
management service allows OEMs to manage the life cycle of the software and security in their vehicles.
The Company recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with Amazon Web Services, Inc. (“AWS”) to develop
and market BlackBerry IVY™, an intelligent vehicle data platform leveraging BlackBerry QNX’s automotive capabilities.
BlackBerry IVY will allow automakers to safely access a vehicle’s sensor data, normalize it, and apply machine learning to
generate and share predictive insights and inferences. Automakers and developers will be able to use this information to create
responsive in-vehicle services that enhance driver and passenger experiences. BlackBerry IVY will support multiple vehicle
operating systems and multi-cloud deployments in order to ensure compatibility across vehicle models and brands. The
Company expects to release an early access version of BlackBerry IVY in October 2021, followed by a commercial release in
February 2022 with installations of BlackBerry IVY to begin in 2023 model year vehicles.
BlackBerry QNX is also a preferred supplier of embedded systems for companies building medical devices, train-control
systems, industrial robots, hardware security modules, building automation systems, green energy solutions, and other mission-
critical applications.
In addition to BlackBerry QNX, BTS includes BlackBerry Certicom® cryptography and key management products and the
BlackBerry Radar® asset monitoring solution.
BlackBerry Certicom leverages patented elliptic curve cryptography to provide device security, anti-counterfeiting and product
authentication solutions. BlackBerry Certicom’s offerings include its managed public key infrastructure (“PKI”) platform, key
management and provisioning technology that helps customers to protect the integrity of their silicon chips and devices from
the point of manufacturing through the device life cycle. BlackBerry Certicom’s secure key provisioning, code signing and
security credential management system services protect next-generation connected cars, critical infrastructure and IoT
deployments from product counterfeiting, re-manufacturing and unauthorized network access.
BlackBerry Radar is a family of asset monitoring and telematics solutions for the transportation and logistics industry. The
BlackBerry Radar solution includes devices and secure cloud-based dashboards for tracking containers, trailers, chassis,
flatbeds and heavy machinery, for reporting locations and sensor data, and for enabling custom alerts and fleet management
analytics.
BTS solutions also include BlackBerry Jarvis™, a cloud-based binary static application security testing platform that identifies
vulnerabilities in deployed binary software used in automobiles and other embedded applications, and BlackBerry Messenger
(BBM®) Enterprise, an enterprise-grade secure instant messaging solution for messaging, voice and video.
Secure Communications
Secure Communications consists of BlackBerry® AtHoc®, BlackBerry® Alert and SecuSUITE.
BlackBerry AtHoc and BlackBerry Alert are secure critical event management solutions that enable people, devices and
organizations to exchange critical information in real time during business continuity and life safety operations. The platforms
securely connect with a diverse set of endpoints to distribute emergency mass notifications, improve personnel accountability
and facilitate the bidirectional collection and sharing of data within and between organizations. BlackBerry AtHoc serves the
requirements of the public sector market while BlackBerry Alert targets the commercial sector.
SecuSUITE® for Government is a certified, multi-OS voice and text messaging solution with advanced encryption, anti-
eavesdropping and continuous authentication capabilities, providing a maximum level of security on conventional mobile
devices for public authorities and businesses.
The BlackBerry Spark and BlackBerry IoT Solutions groups are both complemented by the enterprise and cybersecurity
consulting services offered by the Company’s BlackBerry® Professional Services business. BlackBerry Professional Services
provides platform-agnostic strategies to address mobility-based challenges, providing expert deployment support, end-to-end
delivery (from system design to user training), application consulting, and experienced project management. The Company’s
6
cybersecurity consulting services and tools, combined with its other security solutions, help customers identify the latest
cybersecurity threats, test for vulnerabilities, develop risk-appropriate mitigations, maintain IT security standards and
techniques, and defend against the risk of future attacks.
Beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company intends to describe the Software and Services group as consisting of
the Company’s Cyber Security business and the BTS business. Cyber Security will consist of BlackBerry Spark together with
BlackBerry AtHoc, BlackBerry Alert and SecuSUITE, and the BlackBerry IoT Solutions and Secure Communications
nomenclature will no longer apply or be used.
Licensing and Other
The Company’s Licensing business is responsible for the management and monetization of the Company’s global patent
portfolio. The patent portfolio continues to provide a competitive advantage in the Company’s core product areas as well as
providing leverage in the development of future technologies and licensing programs in both core and adjacent vertical markets.
The Company owns rights to an array of patented and patent pending technologies which include, but are not limited to,
operating systems, networking infrastructure, acoustics, messaging, enterprise software, automotive subsystems, cybersecurity,
cryptography and wireless communications. As of February 28, 2021, the Company owned approximately 38,000 worldwide
patents and applications.
In fiscal 2018, the Company entered into a strategic licensing agreement with Teletry under which Teletry may sublicense a
broad range of the Company’s patents to a majority of global smartphone manufacturers. The Company also continues to
operate its own licensing program outside of Teletry’s sublicensing rights and intends to increase recurring revenue from this
program. The Company's technology licensing revenue from Teletry represented approximately 22% of the Company's net
sales in fiscal 2021.
In addition, in recent years, the Company has licensed its device security software and service suite and related brand assets to
outsourcing partners who design, manufacture, market and provide customer support for BlackBerry-branded handsets
featuring the Company’s secure Android™ software. The Company also entered into licensing arrangements with
manufacturers of other devices with embedded BlackBerry cybersecurity technology.
In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company entered into exclusive negotiations with a North American entity for the
potential sale of a portion of the patent portfolio relating primarily to non-core or legacy mobile devices, messaging and
wireless networking technologies. The Company expects to retain rights to use these patents if a transaction is completed and
does not intend to sell patents associated with the Company’s current Software and Services business. Negotiations are ongoing
and there can be no assurance that the Company will reach a definitive agreement or that a transaction will be consummated.
The Company’s Other business generates revenue from SAF charged to subscribers using the Company’s legacy BlackBerry 7
and prior BlackBerry operating systems.
Sales, Marketing, Distribution and Customers
The Company primarily generates revenue from the licensing of enterprise software and sales of associated services, including
its endpoint management and cybersecurity solutions, BlackBerry QNX software for the embedded market, technology
licensing and professional consulting services. The Company focuses on strategic industries with vertical-specific use cases,
including regulated enterprise markets such as financial services, government, healthcare, professional services and
transportation, and other markets where embedded software and critical infrastructure are important, such as utilities, mining
and manufacturing.
The Company licenses the BlackBerry Spark platform, including its individual components and complementary third-party
applications, through a geographically-dispersed direct sales force, value-added resellers, managed security service providers
and alliance partners. The Company continues to build its global BlackBerry Partner Program for resellers and distributors to
bolster its direct sales and marketing efforts.
The Company also licenses its enterprise software and services through global wireless communications carriers, which are able
to bill separately for BlackBerry UEM services, and other distribution partners around the world.
The Company licenses BlackBerry QNX and BlackBerry Certicom 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 primarily monetized as royalties on units shipped and through project
development seats, tools and maintenance fees.
The Company markets and sells its BlackBerry Radar secure asset monitoring products and services to enterprise users through
its internal sales force as well as through third party distribution channels.
7
Competitive Strengths
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 believes that it delivers the broadest set of security capabilities and visibility in the market,
covering users, devices, networks, apps and data.
BlackBerry Spark
The BlackBerry Spark platform establishes the most complete security controls in any connected IoT environment and meets a
growing market demand for a comprehensive solution that integrates unified endpoint security and endpoint management
capabilities in a single console with visibility across all endpoints. The platform is differentiated through its use of a zero-trust
architecture that uniquely combines intelligent security with a user experience that requires little to no support from end users or
IT administrators, simplifying management and reducing costs.
The BlackBerry Cyber Suite leverages Cylance AI, machine learning and automation to provide improved cyber threat
prevention and remediation, and can help users to understand risks, make contextual decisions and dynamically apply policy
controls with no user interruption, mitigating risks before they materialize. The Company trains its AI model against data lakes
containing billions of files so that it learns to autonomously convict, or not convict, files prior to their execution. Unlike
traditional signature-based cybersecurity technology, this prevention-oriented approach is able to protect enterprises from
malicious zero-day payloads before they are deployed, and even when protected endpoints are offline. Additionally, detection
and response decisions are pushed down to the endpoint, minimizing response latency so that a minor security event can be
addressed before it becomes a widespread incident. BlackBerry Protect has earned Federal Risk and Authorization Management
Program (“FedRAMP”) authorization.
The BlackBerry Spark UEM Suite includes leading unified endpoint management, secure business productivity, application
containerization, secure collaboration and digital rights management capabilities. BlackBerry UEM has earned National
Information Assurance Partnership (“NIAP”) certification and is the only mobile device management solution on the U.S.
Department of Defense Information Network’s Approved Product List. The Company also provides a full development solution
for the creation and retrofitting of apps for use in a container and offers an extensive library of secure enterprise applications.
The inclusion of a sophisticated network operations center in the BlackBerry infrastructure is also a key differentiator. The
Company pioneered the use of this architecture to route messages reliably and efficiently to and from mobile devices, and over
time has expanded capabilities to enable end-to-end secure communications between endpoints and applications and enterprise
networks.
BlackBerry IoT Solutions
In the embedded software industry, systems are becoming increasingly connected and complex, with software being used for
functions that were previously performed by hardware, driving new functional safety considerations. BlackBerry QNX is
recognized for attaining the highest levels of security certifications and approvals for many of its embedded products and is the
leader in safety-certified, secure and reliable software for the automotive industry. BlackBerry QNX is a trusted supplier of
operating systems, hypervisors, development tools and support to automotive OEMs and Tier 1 vendors and to the general
embedded market. BlackBerry QNX technology is embedded in over 175 million cars.
The BlackBerry AtHoc and BlackBerry Alert platforms are mobile and scalable, integrate with legacy systems and support on-
premise and cloud-based deployments. With available incident management and encrypted end-to-end instant messaging
capabilities, the platforms offer a suite of secure crisis communication services to meet the growing number of use cases for
emergency or mass notifications. BlackBerry AtHoc has received FedRAMP certification and is the leading provider of
network-centric, interactive crisis communication to the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security, among other governmental bodies. BlackBerry AtHoc helps to protect more than 70% of U.S. government personnel.
The Company’s SecuSUITE technology has been certified to be compliant with the Common Criteria protection profile for
VoIP applications and SIP servers. It has also earned NIAP certification and has been placed on the National Security Agency’s
Commercial Solutions for Classified Program component list of products certified for use on classified systems.
Competition
The Company is engaged in markets that are highly competitive and rapidly evolving. Frequent new product introductions and
changes to endpoints, operating systems, applications, security threats, industry standards and the overall technology landscape
result in continuously evolving customer requirements for mobile solutions. The Company competes with a broad range of
vendors in each of its businesses. See “Competitive Strengths” above for a discussion of how the Company believes it
differentiates itself from competitors in its various businesses.
8
With the BlackBerry UEM Suite, the Company competes primarily with providers of enterprise software solutions.
BlackBerry’s UES Technology, including the BlackBerry Cyber Suite, competes with various types of providers, including:
traditional signature-based antivirus vendors and identity management; vendors whose business focuses almost solely on EPP;
EDR vendors, which primarily focus on continuous monitoring and human response to advanced security threats; companies
that provide endpoint systems management; and large network security providers, which have entered the market primarily
through acquisition. The Company’s BlackBerry QNX automotive business competes principally with providers of embedded
software that employ customized Linux open-source operating systems for the transportation and logistics industry, and with
Google’s Android Automotive OS. See Part 1, Item 1A “Risk Factors - The Company faces intense competition”.
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 for the
BlackBerry Spark platform and BlackBerry IoT solutions that meet the needs of both enterprise IT departments and end users.
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 makes significant investments to support its cybersecurity solutions and is committed to hiring and retaining top
data scientists and engineers in the areas of artificial intelligence and machine learning. R&D investments at BlackBerry QNX
are increasingly focused on software innovations for autonomous and connected vehicles.
The Company’s investment in longer term research is, in part, supported by taking advantage of specific government financial
assistance programs where available. For example, the Company participates in the Strategic Innovation Fund program of the
Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. For additional information, see Note 11 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements.
Third Party Software Developers
The Company offers the BlackBerry Development Platform, an enterprise-grade toolset which enables application developers
and ISVs to build secure, powerful and customized solutions for almost every use case and to commercialize them on the
BlackBerry® Marketplace for Enterprise Software, which contains over 130 enterprise applications and solutions. The platform
includes the BlackBerry Dynamics software development kit (“SDK”), which allows developers to integrate BlackBerry
security into their enterprise applications, resulting in a managed application where corporate data is protected. The platform
also includes SDKs for BlackBerry UEM, BlackBerry Workspaces, BlackBerry AtHoc and other products.
The primary development platform for BlackBerry QNX-based systems is the QNX® Software Development Platform (SDP),
which includes the QNX Neutrino Realtime Operating System and the QNX Momentics® Tool Suite. The QNX SDP is
complemented by QNX® Hypervisor, QNX® OS for Safety, QNX® Hypervisor for Safety, QNX® Acoustics Management
Platform and QNX® Platform for Digital Cockpits and other products.
To support BlackBerry UES products, the Company offers the BlackBerry Endpoint ISV Technology Integration program
featuring an application programming interface (“API”) development platform that enables developers and ISVs to develop
robust extensible security integrations for BlackBerry UES, creating results-based offerings for targeted use cases. Completed
integrations are shared with the user community and promoted to market partners and AWS Marketplace opportunities.
During fiscal 2021, the Company launched the beta program for its Spark SDK, a new in-app protection solution powered by
the Company’s enterprise security assessment framework. The Spark SDK enables mobile app developers to enhance their iOS
and Android applications with a rich set of security capabilities to prevent device, application or user level attacks. The
Company also expanded its developer partner program with the introduction of the BlackBerry AtHoc Development Partner
Program, which invites partners to integrate with the BlackBerry AtHoc service and allows them to create alerts based on more
event types or to leverage alerting capabilities based on critical events from within other systems.
The Company also offers BlackBerry® Spark Communications Services to application developers to integrate the secure
messaging, voice and video capabilities of BBM Enterprise into their applications and services.
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 industries in which the Company operates
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.
9
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 and instead primarily depends upon its extensive know-how, innovative culture, and technical
leadership.
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
pending technologies which include, but are not limited to, operating systems, networking infrastructure, acoustics, messaging,
enterprise software, automotive subsystems, cybersecurity and wireless communications. As of February 28, 2021, the
Company owned approximately 38,000 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.
In fiscal 2018, the Company entered into a strategic licensing agreement with Teletry under which Teletry may sublicense a
broad range of the Company’s patents to a majority of global smartphone manufacturers. The Company also continues to
operate its own licensing program outside of Teletry’s sublicensing rights.
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 also enters into inbound licensing agreements related to technology and
intellectual property rights, including agreements to obtain rights that may be necessary to produce and sell products.
Regulatory Environment
Foreign and domestic laws and regulations apply to many aspects of the Company’s business.
The Company collects and uses a wide variety of information for various purposes in its business, including to help ensure the
integrity of its services and to provide features and functionality to customers. This aspect of the Company’s business is subject
to a broad array of evolving privacy and data protection laws, including the European Union’s General Data Protection
Regulation, the proposed Canadian Consumer Privacy Protection Act, regional privacy frameworks such as the Asia-Pacific
Economic Cooperation Privacy Framework, and national and state laws within the United States, including the California
Privacy Rights Act. These laws impose strict operational requirements and can provide for significant penalties for non-
compliance. Elements of these evolving laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation and enforcement, remain unclear
and the Company may be required to modify its practices to comply with them in the future.
The Company is also subject to numerous international trade laws and regulations, including, without limitation, tariffs, trade
sanctions, export controls and technology transfer restrictions, as well as anti-corruption legislation such as the U.S. Foreign
Corrupt Practices Act and Canada’s Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act.
Additionally, the Company is subject to domestic and international laws relating to environmental protection and the
proliferation of hazardous substances. In parts of Europe, North America, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region, the
Company is obligated to comply with substance restrictions, packaging regulations, energy efficiency ratings and certain
product take-back and recycling requirements, principally for the BlackBerry Radar business. The U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall
Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act also requires the Company to comply with certain due diligence and disclosure
obligations with respect to the use of conflict minerals. Furthermore, the Company may be subject to a variety of local laws
unknown to the Company in foreign jurisdictions where customers are located.
Any actual or perceived failure to comply with these requirements may result in, among other things, revocation of required
licenses or registrations, loss of approved status, private litigation, regulatory or governmental investigations, administrative
enforcement actions, sanctions, civil and criminal liability, and constraints on the Company’s operations. It is also possible that
current or future laws or regulations could be interpreted or applied in a manner that would prohibit, alter, or impair the
Company’s existing or planned products and services, or that could require the Company to undertake costly, time-consuming
or otherwise burdensome compliance measures.
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Corporate Responsibility
The Company observes the highest ethical standards in its operations and has adopted policies and practices that require the
same of its business partners. The Company’s business is based on trust, and the Company maintains its position as a global
leader in data security and privacy by developing new technologies, complying with established and evolving regulatory
frameworks, acting with integrity and adhering to responsible business practices. See also “Ethical Business Conduct and Code
of Business Standards and Principles” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company is committed to operating in a sustainable way that respects the environment, the Company’s employees and
business partners, and the communities in which the Company operates around the world. To honor this commitment, the
Company maintains a variety of programs to identify, execute and maintain sustainable initiatives and to reduce the
environmental impact of its products throughout the product lifecycle. In fiscal 2020, the Company joined the United Nations
Global Compact (“UNGC”) and committed to the ten principles of the UNGC and to the United Nations Sustainable
Development Goals that are relevant to the Company’s business. In its procurement activities, the Company engages with its
suppliers to conduct due diligence into the source 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, principally for the BlackBerry Radar business. The Company also seeks to make a positive impact in the
communities in which it operates by investing in strategic charitable partnerships, supporting charitable endeavours by
employees, and building community relationships through local offices.
The Company has formalized a number of policies to reflect its commitment to responsible business practices, including a
Privacy Policy, Supplier Code of Conduct, Human Rights Policy, Equal Employment Policy and Supplier Diversity Policy, and
periodically issues a corporate responsibility report. Through the report, the Company provides visibility on its environmental,
social and governance initiatives such as mitigating its corporate carbon footprint and reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
improving water sanitation and fostering diversity. These documents and policies relating to the Company’s corporate
responsibility initiatives can be viewed on the Company’s website at https://www.blackberry.com/us/en/company/corporate-
responsibility and are not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Information about our Executive Officers
The Company made two executive officer appointments during fiscal 2021, naming Tom Eacobacci as President and Marjorie
Dickman as Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer.
The following table sets forth the name, province or state, and country of residence of each executive officer of the Company
and their respective positions and offices held with the Company and their principal occupations during the last five years.
Name and Residence
John S. Chen
California, USA
Randall Cook
California, USA
Marjorie Dickman
Washington D.C., USA
Current Position with
Company
Chief Executive
Officer; Executive
Chair/Director (since
2013)
Chief Legal Officer
and Corporate
Secretary
Chief Government
Affairs and Public
Policy Officer
Thomas Eacobacci
Florida, USA
President
Principal Occupation During the Last Five Years (other
than Current Position with Company)
General Counsel, Calypso Technology (2017 to 2018)
Global Director and Associate General Counsel, IoT and
Automated Driving Policy, Intel (2017-2020); Global Director
and Managing Counsel, IoT and Automated Driving Policy,
Intel (2015-2017)
President, Americas, Citrix (2018-2020); VP Sales Strategy &
Operations, Citrix (2014-2017)
Sai Yuen (Billy) Ho
California, USA
Steve Rai
Ontario, Canada
Executive Vice
President, Product
Engineering,
BlackBerry Spark
Chief Financial Officer Deputy Chief Financial Officer (2019), Vice President and
Corporate Controller (2014-2019)
Nita White-Ivy
California, USA
Chief Human
Resources Officer
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Mark Wilson
California, USA
Human Capital
Chief Marketing
Officer
Senior Vice President, Marketing, BlackBerry Limited (2014
to 2017)
The Company’s 3,497 employees as of February 28, 2021 work as a team in 21 countries worldwide, of which approximately
51% are in Canada, 32% are in the U.S., and the remaining 17% are outside of North America.
The Company offers employees a fair, equitable and competitive total rewards program, designed to recognize and reward both
individual and company performance. The Company provides a range of financial and benefit programs such as its employee
share purchase program, employee recognition programs, retirement savings plans, family-friendly leave policies, health and
wellness programs, employee and family assistance program, as well as corporate discounts, all designed to support the overall
wellness of the Company’s employees and their families.
The Company embraces a diverse and inclusive workplace, providing a welcoming environment in which every individual is
valued and respected, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, veteran status, disability
status or any other protected element of diversity. The Company recognizes diversity, equity and inclusion as business
imperatives and commits to attract, develop, and retain the best and brightest talent. The Company strives to maintain an
environment where people are valued, have a sense of belonging, and feel they can bring their authentic selves to work, every
day. The Company is committed to maintaining a respectful and productive work environment free from discrimination and
harassment, supported by diversity and inclusion unconscious bias training, outreach and partnership programs like the
Company’s Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Indigenous students awards programs,
and development opportunities such as the Taking the Stage program for female and aspiring leaders. The Company does not
tolerate, condone, or ignore workplace discrimination or harassment or any unlawful behavior and investigates all complaints
regarding such conduct in a timely manner.
The Company believes career development is unique and personal for each employee. The Company offers career development
and growth in many forms such as job shadowing, job rotation, stretch assignments, enhanced scope or responsibility,
networking, lateral movement, promotions, and volunteering. The Company encourages opportunities for employees to
broaden their scope and understanding of the business, and to build additional skills to attain their career aspirations. Employees
are supported in their growth and development through the Company’s tuition and educational reimbursement programs,
subsidies for professional association memberships, global mentorship program, career planning services, and various training
programs.
The Company is honored that its determination to support smart, dedicated, creative employees who are driven to succeed has
been recognized through numerous awards, including Best & Brightest Companies to Work For (2016 - 2020), Best & Brightest
Companies in Wellness (2016 - 2020), Canada’s Top 100 Employers for Young People, Canada’s Top 100 Greenest Employers
(2016 - 2020), among others. The Company also takes pride in its award-winning paid co-op and intern student program,
through which the Company invests in the personal and professional development of the next generation of BlackBerry talent.
Building upon its culture of teamwork, the Company is a proud and committed civic leader. BlackBerry employees are
passionate, mobilized and empowered by their involvement in corporate-run community initiatives to actively participate in
volunteer activities and environmentally friendly initiatives where they live and work. Together with its team of community-
minded employees, the Company believes there is great potential to make lasting local impacts.
Available Information
Our internet address is www.blackberry.com. Our website is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K as an inactive
textual reference only. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
As of March 1, 2020, the Company began reporting with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) as a domestic
issuer instead of a foreign private issuer. Prior to that date, the Company was a foreign private issuer and, in compliance with
SEC regulations, furnished its interim financial statements on Form 6-K and filed its Annual Report on Form 40-F. The
Company continues to be a reporting issuer subject to continuous disclosure obligations under applicable Canadian securities
laws.
Access to our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and 40-F, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and 6-K, Current Reports on Form 8-
K, supplemental financial information, earnings press releases, and amendments to these reports filed with or furnished to the
SEC may be obtained free of charge as soon as is reasonably practical after we electronically file or furnish them through the
Investors section of our website at www.blackberry.com/ca/en/company/investors. In addition, our filings with the SEC may be
accessed through the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our filings with the Canadian Securities Administrators (“CSA”) may
be accessed through the CSA’s System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (“SEDAR”) at www.sedar.com. Except
for the documents specifically incorporated by reference into this Annual Report, information contained on the SEC or CSA
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websites is not incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K and should not be considered to be a part of the
Annual Report. All statements made in any of our securities filings, including all forward-looking statements or information,
are made as of the date of the document in which the statement is included, and we do not assume or undertake any obligation
to update any of those statements or documents unless we are required to do so by applicable law.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Investors in the Company’s securities should carefully consider the following risks, as well as the other information contained
in MD&A (as defined below) and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K Form for the fiscal year ended February 28,
2021. Any of the following risks, in whole or in part, could materially and adversely impact the Company’s business, financial
condition and operating results. 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 unaware or the Company currently deems
immaterial, may also have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Risks Related to the Company’s Business
The Company may not be able to enhance, develop, introduce or monetize products and services for the enterprise
market in a timely manner with competitive pricing, features and performance.
The industries in which the Company competes are characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product
introductions, frequent market price reductions, constant improvements in features and short product life cycles. The
Company’s future success depends upon its ability to enhance and integrate its current products and services, including the
BlackBerry Spark platform, to 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 development of next-generation
technologies that utilize new and advanced features, including artificial intelligence and machine learning, involves making
predictions regarding the willingness of the market to adopt such technologies over legacy solutions. 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 or services that the market will accept.
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 or are not sufficiently differentiated from those of its competitors, the Company’s business, results of operations and
financial condition could be materially harmed.
The Company may not be able to maintain or expand its customer base for its software and services offerings to grow
revenue or achieve sustained profitability.
The Company has focused its strategy on software and services to grow revenue and generate sustainable profitability,
including by commercializing the BlackBerry Spark platform.
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 across more endpoints 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 is unable to promote a compelling value
proposition to customers and its efforts to sell or upsell software or services as described above are not successful, its results of
operations could be materially impacted. Further, although recent attacks on prominent enterprises have increased market
awareness of the importance of cybersecurity, if the general level of cyberattacks declines or customers perceive that it has
declined, the Company’s ability to attract new customers and expand its sales to existing customers could be harmed.
Existing customers that purchase the Company’s software and services have no contractual obligation to renew their
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 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
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not to renew with the Company and switch to a competitor’s offerings. For larger deployments, particularly with enterprise
customers in highly regulated industries such as financial services, government, healthcare and transportation, the Company is
subject to risks related to increased customer bargaining power, longer sales cycles, regulatory changes, compliance with
procurement requirements and contractual performance covenants, and enhanced customer support obligations.
The Company must invest significant time and resources in providing ongoing value to these customers and in enhancing its
reputation as an enterprise software vendor. 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 services revenue is also dependent on its ability to expand its distribution
capabilities with partners, resellers and licensees and its ability to maintain a qualified direct sales force, which requires
significant time and resources, including investment in systems and training. From time to time, the Company may choose to
reorganize its go-to-market teams in an effort to better leverage its sales resources and improve customer service. These
reorganizations, which may include investments in educating the Company’s sales force, can cause short-term disruptions and
may negatively impact sales. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in implementing its sales and
distribution strategy. See also the Risk Factor entitled “The Company’s success depends on its relationships with resellers and
distributors”.
The Company faces intense competition.
The Company is engaged in markets that are 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
adopted as the industry standard for many of the products and services offered by the Company. Accordingly, both the nature of
the competition and the scope of the business opportunities afforded by the markets 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 products and services that are disruptive or that are attractively priced or
enhanced or better quality compared to those of the Company, making it more difficult for the Company to win or preserve
market share.
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. In particular, some of the
Company’s competitors may be able to leverage their relationships with enterprise customers based on other products or
incorporate functionality into existing products to gain business in a manner that discourages users from purchasing the
Company’s solutions, including by selling at zero or negative margins, product bundling or offering closed technology
platforms. In the automotive sector, some of the Company’s OEM and Tier 1 customers have accelerated internal development
of embedded solutions. 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, pressure to reduce
prices, commoditization of product and service categories in which the Company participates, reduced revenue and reduced
margins. 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 Company must obtain and maintain certain product approvals and certifications from governmental authorities, regulated
enterprise customers and network carrier partners in order to remain competitive, meet contractual requirements and enable its
customers to meet their certification needs. Failure to maintain such approvals or certifications for the Company’s current
products or to obtain such approvals or 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. In addition, independent industry analysts often
issue reports regarding endpoint security solutions and the perception of the Company’s solutions in the marketplace, especially
as compared to those of the Company’s competitors, may be significantly influenced by these reports. If these reports are
negative, less frequent or less positive than reports on the Company’s competitors’ products, the Company’s competitive
position may be harmed.
The occurrence or perception of a breach of the Company’s network cybersecurity measures or an inappropriate
disclosure of confidential or personal information could significantly harm its business.
The Company is continuously exposed to cyber threats through the actions of outside parties, such as hacking, viruses, and
other malicious software, denial of service attacks, industrial espionage and other methods designed to breach the Company’s
network or data security. The Company is also exposed to risk as a result of process, coding or human errors and through
attempts by third parties to fraudulently induce employees to provide access to confidential or personal information. Although
malicious attempts to gain unauthorized access to such information affect many companies across various industries, the
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Company is at a relatively greater risk of being specifically targeted because of its reputation for security and the nature of its
network operations, and because the Company has been involved in the identification of organized cyber adversaries.
The Company devotes significant resources to network security, encryption and authentication technologies and other
measures, including security policies and procedures, vulnerability testing and awareness training, to mitigate cyber risk to its
systems, endpoints and data. In addition, the Company engineers novel security and reliability features, deploys software
updates to address vulnerabilities, and maintains a security infrastructure that protects the integrity of the Company’s network,
products and services. The Company also mitigates risk by actively monitoring external threats, reviewing best practices and
implementing appropriate internal controls, including incident response plans. However, the techniques used to obtain
unauthorized access or to disable or degrade service are constantly evolving and becoming more sophisticated in nature, and
frequently are not recognized or identified until after they have been deployed against a target. The Company may not be able
to anticipate these techniques, to implement adequate preventative measures or to identify and respond to them in a timely
manner, and the Company’s efforts to do so may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operating margins, the user
experience or compatibility with third party products and services.
Although to date the Company has not experienced any material financial or other losses relating to technology failure,
cyberattacks or security breaches, there is no assurance that the Company will not experience loss or damage in the future. If the
network and product security measures implemented by the Company or its partners, including third-party data center
operators, cloud service providers and product manufacturers are breached, or perceived to be breached, or if the
confidentiality, integrity or availability of the Company’s data, including intellectual property and legally protected personal
data, is compromised, the Company could be exposed to significant litigation, service disruptions, investigation and
remediation costs, regulatory sanctions, fines and contractual penalties. In addition, any such event could materially damage the
Company’s reputation, which is built in large measure on the security and reliability of BlackBerry products and services, and
could result in the loss of investor confidence, channel partners, competitive advantages, revenues and customers, including the
Company’s most significant government and regulated enterprise customers. While the Company maintains cybersecurity
insurance, the Company’s coverage may be insufficient to cover all losses or types of claims that may arise from cyber
incidents, and any incidents may result in the loss of, or increased costs of, the Company’s insurance.
A failure or perceived failure of the Company’s solutions to detect or prevent security vulnerabilities could materially
adversely affect the Company’s reputation, financial condition and results of operations.
The techniques used by cyber adversaries to breach network and endpoint security measures are sophisticated and change
frequently, and the Company’s products and services may not protect users against all cyberattacks. At the same time, the
Company’s products and services are highly complex and may contain design defects, bugs or security vulnerabilities that are
difficult to detect and correct. Such internal defects and a variety of external factors, including misconfigurations, errors
introduced through collaborations with the Company’s engineering partners or the failure of customers to address risks
identified by our platform, could impair the effectiveness of the Company’s solutions and cause them to fail to secure endpoints
and prevent attacks or function as intended. In addition, the Company’s solutions may falsely indicate a cyber threat that does
not actually exist, which may negatively impact customers’ trust in the Company’s solutions.
Real or perceived defects, errors or vulnerabilities in the Company’s software and services, or the failure of the Company’s
platform solutions to detect or prevent cyber incidents, could result in the delay or denial of their market acceptance and may
harm the Company’s reputation, financial condition and results of operations. If errors are discovered, correcting them could
require significant expenditures by the Company and the Company may not be able to successfully correct them in a timely
manner or at all.
The Company’s products and services frequently involve the transmission, processing and storage of data, including
proprietary, confidential and personally-identifiable information, and a security compromise, misconfiguration or malfunction
involving the Company’s software could result in such information being accessible to attackers or other third parties. Real or
perceived security breaches against a customer using the Company’s solutions could cause damage or disruption to the
customer and subject the Company to liability, and may result in the customer and the public believing that the Company’s
solutions are ineffective, even if they were not implicated in failing to block the attack. Further, a breach of an artificial
intelligence and machine learning-based solution offered by another endpoint security provider could cause the market to lose
confidence in next-generation security software generally, including the Company’s solutions.
The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has had and may continue to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s
business, results of operations and financial condition.
Throughout fiscal 2021, the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic and related public health measures, including orders to shelter-
in-place, travel restrictions and mandated business closures, have adversely affected workforces, organizations, consumers and
economies leading to an economic downturn and increased market volatility.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the normal operations of the Company and the businesses of many of the Company’s
customers, suppliers and distribution partners. Throughout most of fiscal 2021, the Company mandated remote working,
utilizing virtual meetings and suspending employee travel, to protect the health and safety of its employees, contractors,
customers and visitors. The Company also shifted customer, industry and other stakeholder events to virtual-only experiences,
and may similarly alter, postpone or cancel other events in the future. The Company has a limited history with substantially
remote operations and the long-term impacts of it are uncertain.
In fiscal 2021, the economic downturn and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures undertaken to
contain its spread negatively affected the Company’s QNX automotive software business and caused volatility in demand for
the Company’s products and services, adversely affected the ability of the Company’s sales and professional services teams to
work with customers, and increased sales cycle times. The uncertainty also resulted in the Company making significant
judgments related to its estimates and assumptions concerning the impairment of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and
certain operating lease right-of-use assets and associated property, plant and equipment.
The COVID-19 pandemic and related global chip shortage have had and, in fiscal 2022, may continue to have a material
adverse impact on the Company’s QNX automotive software business in particular and on the Company’s business, results of
operations and financial condition on a consolidated basis. While the Company does not expect the COVID-19 pandemic and
its related economic impact to materially adversely affect the Company’s liquidity position, the Company continues to evaluate
the current and potential impact of the pandemic on its business, results of operations and consolidated financial statements,
including potential asset impairment. The Company also continues to actively monitor developments and business conditions
that may cause it to take further actions that alter business operations as may be required by applicable authorities or that the
Company determines are in the best interests of its employees, customers, suppliers and stockholders.
The ultimate impact of COVID-19 will depend on, among other things, the pandemic’s duration and severity, governmental
restrictions which may be sustained or additional measures which may be imposed in response to the pandemic, the
effectiveness of actions taken to contain or mitigate the pandemic (including the availability and distribution of vaccines), the
impact of the global chip shortage and global economic conditions. The long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the
Company’s business may not be fully reflected until future periods.
The Company’s success depends on its continuing ability to attract new personnel, retain existing key personnel and
manage its staffing effectively.
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, top research developers and experienced salespeople with specialized
knowledge. Competition for such people is intense, continuous, and increasing in the industries in which the Company
participates, and the Company has experienced solicitations of its employees by its competitors.
Competition for highly skilled personnel is intense, especially in the San Francisco Bay Area and in the Waterloo, Ontario area,
where the Company has a substantial presence and need for highly skilled personnel. The Company is also substantially
dependent on the continued service of its existing engineering personnel because of the complexity of its products and services.
Also, to the extent that the Company hires employees from mature public companies with significant financial resources, the
Company may be subject to allegations that such employees have been improperly solicited, or that they have divulged
proprietary or other confidential information or that their former employers own such employees’ inventions or other work
product.
To attract and retain critical personnel, the Company may experience increased compensation costs that are not offset by
increased productivity or higher prices for our products and services. Also, the Company’s financial results and share price
performance (particularly for those employees for whom equity-based compensation is a key element of their total
compensation), among other factors, may impact the Company’s ability to attract new, and retain existing, employees. Any
failure by the Company to attract and retain key employees could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business,
results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, during periods of internal reorganization, the Company may experience losses of business continuity and
accumulated knowledge, internal compliance gaps or other inefficiencies, including litigation claims by terminated employees.
If the Company does not maintain appropriate staffing, develop effective business continuity and succession programs, mitigate
turnover and effectively utilize employees with the right mix of skills and experience across the functions necessary to meet the
current and future needs of its business, the financial and operational performance of the Company could suffer.
The Company’s success depends on its relationships with resellers and channel partners.
The Company’s ability to maintain and expand its market reach is increasingly dependent on establishing, developing and
maintaining relationships with third party resellers and channel partners. The Company makes training available to its partners
and develops sales programs to incentivize them to promote and deliver the Company’s current and future products and services
and to grow its user base.
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If the Company is not able to effectively identify and establish new relationships with successful resellers and channel partners,
or to maintain or enhance existing relationships without giving rise to conflicts between channels, or if the Company’s partners
do not act in a manner that will promote the success of the Company’s products and services, the Company’s business, results
of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
Many resellers and channel partners 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 resellers and channel partners 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 resellers and channel partners, there may be continued pressure on the Company to reduce the price of its
products and services, or those resellers and channel partners may stop offering the Company’s products or de-emphasize the
sale of its products and services in favor of the Company’s competitors, which could have a material adverse effect on the
Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
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, claims for
breaches of contractual covenants and other litigation claims, which may potentially include claims relating to improper use of,
or access to, personal data. Liability claims related to product defects, bugs or vulnerabilities could give rise to class action
litigation or to the withdrawal of certifications, and the Company may be subject to such claims either directly or indirectly
through indemnities that it provides to certain of its customers. The Company’s exposure to product liability risk may increase
as the Company continues to commercialize its software innovations for autonomous and connected vehicles.
In addition, the Company is subject to potential litigation claims and enforcement actions arising from its public disclosure.
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 industry in which
the Company operates and the recent 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.
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
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 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Network disruptions or other business interruptions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business
and harm its reputation.
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 carrier partners, cloud service providers, and third-party
data centre operators. The Company’s network operations 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 non-compliance 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, or if data
centre operators fail to meet agreed service levels.
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. 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.
17
The Company may not be successful in fostering an ecosystem of third-party application developers.
The Company believes decisions by customers to purchase its products, including the forthcoming BlackBerry IVY platform,
depend and will depend in part on the availability and compatibility of software applications and services that are developed
and maintained by third-party developers. The Company may not be able to convince third parties to develop and maintain
applications for its cybersecurity software and embedded solutions platforms. The loss of, or inability to maintain these
developer relationships may materially and adversely affect the desirability of the Company’s products and, hence, the
Company’s revenue from the sale of its products.
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 automotive OEMs. Operating systems are upgraded frequently in response to consumer demand and, in
order to maintain the interoperability of its platform, 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. In addition, the Company typically
receives limited advance notice of changes in features and functionality of operating systems and platforms, and therefore the
Company may be forced to divert resources from its preexisting product roadmap to accommodate these changes.
If the Company fails to enable IT departments to support operating system upgrades upon release, the Company’s business and
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. Furthermore, some of the
features and functionality in the Company’s products and services require interoperability with APIs of other operating systems,
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.
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 or embedded operating systems may have an adverse effect on the Company’s
ability to market and sell its products and services.
Risks Related to Intellectual Property and Technology Licensing
The Company may not be able to obtain rights to use third-party software and is subject to risks related to the use of
open source software.
Many of the Company’s products 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 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).
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, face claims from third
parties claiming ownership of or demanding the public release of the source code of the Company’s proprietary solutions, or
demanding that the Company offer its 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
Company could also be subject to litigation by parties claiming that what the Company believes to be licensed open source
software infringes their intellectual property rights.
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 exposed to litigation or reputational damage, and could be
required to obtain licenses from third parties in order to continue offering its products and services or to re-engineer its products
or services, or discontinue their sale 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.
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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:
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some or all of its confidentiality agreements will not be honored;
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, and derives a significant portion of its Licensing and
Other revenue from its agreement with Teletry. Although the Company operates its own direct licensing program, it may not be
possible for the Company to offset any reduction in revenue from Teletry in the short term, or at all. In addition, 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.
The Company is in ongoing, exclusive negotiations with a North American entity for the potential sale of a portion of the
Company’s patent portfolio relating primarily to non-core or legacy mobile devices, messaging and wireless networking
technologies. These negotiations have had and may continue to have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to monetize its
patent portfolio, and the ultimate impact of any definitive sale transaction on Licensing and Other revenue and on the
monetization of the Company’s patent portfolio is difficult to predict.
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.
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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 engage in 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 are expected to 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 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Risks Related to Assets, Indebtedness and Taxation
The Company faces substantial asset risk, including the potential for charges related to its long-lived assets and
goodwill.
The Company’s long-lived assets include items such as the Company’s network infrastructure, operating lease right-of-use
assets and certain intellectual property. As at February 28, 2021, the Company’s long-lived assets had a carrying value of
approximately $882 million. Under United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), the Company
reviews its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be
recoverable. The Company’s ability to generate sufficient cash flows to fully recover the current carrying value of these assets
depends on the successful execution of its strategies. 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.
Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. As at February 28,
2021, the Company’s goodwill had a carrying value of approximately $849 million. Under U.S. GAAP, the Company tests
goodwill for impairment annually, during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate
that 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. If any such events or circumstances arise, the Company may be required to record an impairment charge in the
value of its goodwill. In the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company recorded total non-cash goodwill impairment charges of
20
$594 million in the BlackBerry Spark reporting unit. For additional information, see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
The Company has incurred 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 $365 million aggregate principal amount of 1.75% unsecured convertible debentures
(the “Debentures”). The degree to which the Company is leveraged could have important consequences, including that:
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the Company’s ability to obtain additional debt financing 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; and
the Company’s earnings under U.S. GAAP may be negatively affected to the extent that any indebtedness, such as the
Debentures, are accounted for by the Company at fair value and include embedded derivatives which fluctuate in value
from period to period.
If the Company’s cash flow from operations declines significantly, the Company may be unable 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 operating 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.
If the Company is unable to refinance its indebtedness or is only able to refinance indebtedness on less favourable terms, this
may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
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
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.
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. While the Company does not believe that it is currently 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.
21
Risks Related to Regulation
The use and management of user data and personal information could give rise to liabilities as a result of legal,
customer and other third-party requirements.
User data and personal information is increasingly subject to new and amended legislation and regulations in numerous
jurisdictions around the world that are 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 evolving. 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. See also “Regulatory Environment” in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s customers, partners and 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 require access to limited data stored
by the Company through lawful access demands and capabilities, which could subject the Company to legal liability,
unforeseen compliance cost and negative publicity. Even a perception that the Company’s products or practices 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.
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 growth. The impact of potential incremental obligations may vary based on the jurisdiction, but regulatory 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.
Failure of the Company’s suppliers, subcontractors, channel partners 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, subcontractors, licensees and other partners 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 delivery of BlackBerry products 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.
22
The Company is subject to risks related to regulations regarding health and safety, hazardous materials usage and
conflict minerals.
The Company must comply with a variety of laws, standards and other requirements governing, among other things, health and
safety, accessibility, 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 sold. The Company is also subject
to SEC disclosure requirements applicable to issuers that have contracted to manufacture products containing certain minerals
that are mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries. There can be no assurance that the direct or
indirect costs of complying with such laws, standards and requirements will not adversely affect the Company’s business,
results of operations or financial condition. Any failure to comply with such laws, standards and requirements may subject the
Company to regulatory or civil liability, fines or other additional costs, and reputational harm.
General Risk Factors
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. 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 satisfactory synergies or return on investment; that the Company may have difficulty integrating and
managing new employees, business systems, development teams and product offerings; 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, which would have a material adverse impact on results of operations.
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.
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 growth in select international markets. 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, and privacy, anti-corruption and consumer
protection laws;
unexpected changes in foreign regulatory requirements;
reliance on third parties to establish and maintain foreign operations;
instability in economic or political conditions;
foreign exchange controls and cash repatriation restrictions;
tariffs and other trade barriers;
increased credit risk and difficulties in collecting accounts receivable;
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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 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 is denominated in U.S. dollars; however, some revenue, and a
substantial portion of operating costs and capital expenditures are incurred in other currencies, primarily Canadian dollars,
euros and British Pounds. 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 28, 2021.
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.
The Company expects its quarterly revenue and operating results to fluctuate.
The Company’s revenues can change from one quarter to the next, including due to unexpected developments late in a quarter,
such as lower-than-anticipated demand for the Company’s products and services, issues with new product or service
introductions, an internal systems failure, or challenges with one of the Company’s distribution channels or other partners
(including licensees and manufacturers).
Gross margins on the Company’s products and services vary across product lines and can change over time as a result of
product transitions, pricing and configuration changes, and 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/service, geographic or channel mix, component cost increases, price competition, or the introduction of new products
and services, including those that have higher cost structures or reduced pricing.
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. 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) market rumours; (viii) trading in derivative securities based on the Company’s common shares; or (ix)
speculative trading that is not primarily motivated by Company announcements or the condition of the Company’s business. In
addition, dilutive share issuances could adversely affect the market price of the Company’s outstanding common shares.
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 Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Adverse economic, geopolitical and environmental 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
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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.
In addition, acts of terrorism, political unrest, 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. If economic or geopolitical uncertainties,
including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic, cause customers to reduce their IT budgets or to reduce or cancel orders for
the Company’s products and services, the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely
affected.
A significant portion of the Company’s personnel, including a majority of its senior leadership team, is based in California, in
areas known for seismic activity and wildfires. The Company also has operations in numerous locations around the world that
expose the Company to additional diverse environmental risks. A significant natural disaster, such as an earthquake, fire or
flood could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business and operations and could cause the Company to incur
significant costs to repair damages to its facilities, equipment and infrastructure.
Although the Company maintains incident management and disaster response plans, they may prove to be inadequate in the
event of a major disruption caused by a natural disaster or geopolitical incident and the Company may be unable to continue its
operations and may endure system interruptions, reputational harm, delays in its development activities, lengthy interruptions in
service, breaches of data security and loss of critical data, and the Company’s insurance may not cover such events or may be
insufficient to compensate the Company for the potentially significant losses it may incur.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The Company’s headquarters are located in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. The Company’s main campus in Waterloo consists of
three leased buildings with approximately 479,000 square feet. The remaining lease term is four years with the option to renew
for an additional five years. The Company also operates facilities in the United States, Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East
for engineering, sales, marketing, research and development, our data center, and operations, among other general and
administrative purposes.
The Company’s other significant lease properties include the following:
Ottawa facility, located in Ontario, Canada, totaling approximately 147,000 square feet;
Irvine facility, located in California, United States, totaling approximately 133,000 square feet;
•
•
• Mississauga facility, located in Ontario, Canada, totaling approximately 75,000 square feet;
•
San Ramon facility, located in California, United States, totaling approximately 50,000 square feet;
• Mountain View facility, located in California, United States, totaling approximately 36,000 square feet;
•
•
Cambridge facility, located in Ontario, Canada, totaling approximately 16,925 square feet; and
Brampton facility, located in Ontario, Canada, totaling approximately 6,706 square feet.
The following table sets forth the location and approximate square footage of the Company’s leased facilities as of February 28,
2021:
Location
North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Asia Pacific
Total
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
(Square feet in thousands)
1,109
147
29
1,285
See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding certain legal proceedings in which the
Company is involved.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
25
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The Company’s common shares are listed and posted for trading on the NYSE and the TSX under the symbol “BB”.
On February 28, 2021, there were 806 registered holders of record of our common shares.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
The Company had no unregistered sales of equity securities during fiscal 2021 that were not previously reported.
Share Repurchases
The Company did not repurchase any shares during fiscal 2021.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph shows the cumulative total shareholder return of $100 invested in the common shares compared to the
S&P/TSX Composite Index, and the peer group index (S&P 500 Information Technology index) for the period of February 29,
2016 to February 26, 2021.
The performance of the Company’s common shares as set out in the graph is based upon historical data and is not indicative of,
nor intended to forecast, future performance of our common shares. The graph lines merely connect measurement dates and do
not reflect fluctuations between those dates.
Base
Period
2/29/2016
100
100
100
BlackBerry Limited
$
S&P TSX Capped
Composite
S&P 500/Information
Technology
2/28/2017
89.12
$
$
2/28/2018
155.44
2/28/2019
111.40
$
$
2/28/2020
66.20
2/26/2021
128.68
$
119.74
120.08
124.41
126.46
140.43
130.85
175.92
183.57
229.30
339.45
This performance graph shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the
“Exchange Act”) or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
26
Ownership and Exchange Controls
There is currently no law, governmental decree or regulation in Canada that restricts the export or import of capital, or which
would affect the remittance of dividends, interest or other payments by us to non-resident holders of the Company’s common
shares, other than withholding tax requirements.
There is currently no limitation imposed by Canadian law or by the Company’s articles or by-laws on the right of non-residents
to hold or vote the Company’s common shares, other than those imposed by the Investment Canada Act (Canada) and the
Competition Act (Canada). These acts will generally not apply except where a control of an existing Canadian business or
company, which has Canadian assets or revenue, or enterprise value (as applicable) over a certain threshold, is acquired and
will not apply to trading generally of securities listed on a stock exchange.
Certain Canadian Federal Income Tax Considerations for U.S. Residents
The following is a summary of the principal Canadian federal income tax considerations generally applicable under the Income
Tax Act (Canada) (together with the regulations thereto, the “Tax Act”) to a beneficial holder of the Company’s common shares
who, for the purposes of the Tax Act and the Canada-United States Income Tax Convention (1980) (the “Treaty”), and at all
relevant times, (i) is not and is not deemed to be a resident in Canada, (ii) is a resident of the United States for the purposes of
the Treaty and is entitled to the full benefits thereunder, (iii) holds all common shares as capital property, (iv) deals at arm’s
length with and is not affiliated with the Company, and (v) does not use or hold and is not deemed to use or hold the common
shares in connection with a business carried on in Canada (each such holder, a “U.S. Resident Holder”). This summary is not
generally applicable to a U.S. Resident Holder that is: (i) an insurer carrying on an insurance business in Canada and elsewhere,
or (ii) an “authorized foreign bank,” each as defined in the Tax Act. Such U.S. Resident Holders should consult their own tax
advisors.
Generally, a U.S. Resident Holder’s common shares will be considered to be capital property of a U.S. Resident Holder
provided the U.S. Resident Holder does not hold such shares in the course of carrying on a business of trading or dealing in
securities and has not acquired them in one or more transactions considered to be an adventure or concern in the nature of trade.
This summary is based upon the current provisions of the Tax Act, the current administrative policies and assessing practices of
the Canada Revenue Agency published in writing prior to the date hereof, and the Treaty. This summary takes into account all
specific proposals to amend the Tax Act publicly announced by or on behalf of the Minister of Finance (Canada) prior to the
date hereof (the “Tax Proposals”), and assumes that all Tax Proposals will be enacted in the form proposed. However, no
assurances can be given that the Tax Proposals will be enacted as proposed, or at all. This summary does not otherwise take into
account or anticipate any changes in law or administrative policy or assessing practice whether by legislative, administrative or
judicial action or decision, nor does it take into account tax legislation or considerations of any province, territory or foreign
jurisdiction, which may differ from those discussed herein.
This summary is of a general nature only and is not intended to be, and should not be construed to be, legal, business or tax
advice to any particular holder or prospective holder of the Company’s common shares, and no opinion or representation with
respect to the tax consequences to any holder or prospective holder of the common shares is made. Accordingly, holders and
prospective holders of the Company’s common shares should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the income tax
consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the common shares in their particular circumstances.
Dividends
Dividends paid or credited, or deemed to be paid or credited, on the Company’s common shares to a U.S. Resident Holder will
be subject to Canadian withholding tax at the rate of 25% of the gross amount of the dividends, subject to reduction under the
provisions of the Treaty. Under the Treaty, the rate of Canadian withholding tax applicable to a U.S. Resident Holder that is the
beneficial owner of dividends is generally reduced to 15% of the gross amount of the dividends, and, if such U.S. Resident
Holder is a company that owns at least 10% of the Company’s voting shares at the time of the dividends, the rate of Canadian
withholding tax is reduced to 5% of the gross amount of the dividends. U.S. Resident Holders who may be eligible for a
reduced rate of withholding tax on dividends pursuant to the Treaty should consult with their own tax advisors with respect to
taking all appropriate steps in this regard.
Disposition of Common Shares
A U.S. Resident Holder who disposes or is deemed to dispose of a common share will not be subject to tax under the Tax Act
on any capital gain realized on such disposition, unless the common share constitutes “taxable Canadian property,” within the
meaning of the Tax Act, of the U.S. Resident Holder at the time of the disposition and the U.S. Resident Holder is not entitled
to relief under the Treaty.
Generally, a common share of a particular U.S. Resident Holder will not be “taxable Canadian property” of such U.S. Resident
Holder at any time at which such common share is listed on a “designated stock exchange,” within the meaning of the Tax Act
(which includes the TSX and NYSE) unless, at any particular time during the 60-month period that ends at that time, both of the
27
following conditions are met concurrently: (a) 25% or more of the issued shares of any class of the capital stock of the
Company were owned by or belonged to one or any combination of (i) the U.S. Resident Holder, (ii) persons with whom the
U.S. Resident Holder did not deal at arm’s length for purposes of the Tax Act, and (iii) partnerships in which the U.S. Resident
Holder or a person described in (ii) holds a membership interest directly or indirectly through one or more partnerships; and (b)
more than 50% of the fair market value of the common share was derived, directly or indirectly, from one or any combination
of: (i) real or immovable property situated in Canada, (ii) “Canadian resource properties” (as defined in the Tax Act), (iii)
“timber resource properties” (as defined in the Tax Act), and (iv) options in respect of, or interests in, or for civil law rights in,
property described in any of (b)(i) to (iii), whether or not the property exists. A common share may also be deemed to be
“taxable Canadian property” in certain circumstances as set out in the Tax Act. In the case of a U.S. Resident Holder to whom a
common share of the Company represents “taxable Canadian property”, under the Treaty, such a U.S. Resident Holder will
generally not be subject to tax under the Tax Act on a capital gain realized on the disposition of such share unless the value of
such share is derived principally from real property situated in Canada (within the meaning of the Treaty).
In the event that a common share is “taxable Canadian property,” within the meaning of the Tax Act, to a U.S. Resident Holder
at the time of disposition, such U.S. Resident Holder should consult its own tax advisor as to the Canadian federal income tax
consequences of the disposition.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The Company has elected to early adopt the amendment to Item 301 of Regulation S-K and is no longer required to provide five
years of selected financial data.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
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, for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021. The Consolidated Financial Statements are
presented in U.S. dollars and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All financial information in this MD&A is
presented in U.S. dollars, unless otherwise indicated.
Readers should carefully review Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and other documents filed from time to time with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and other securities regulators. A number of factors may materially affect our business,
financial condition, operating results and prospects. These factors include but are not limited to those set forth in Part I, Item 1A
“Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any one of these factors, and other factors that we are
unaware of, or currently deem immaterial, may cause our actual results to differ materially from recent results or from our
anticipated future results. Please refer to our MD&A included in our Annual Report on 10-K for the fiscal year ended
February 29, 2020 for a comparative discussion of our Fiscal 2020 financial results as compared to our Fiscal 2019, which is
incorporated herein by reference. Additional information about the Company, which is included in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021 (the “Annual Report”), can be found on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and on the SEC’s 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 plans, strategies and objectives, including its intentions to increase and enhance its product and
service offerings;
the Company’s expectations with respect to its revenue and billings in fiscal 2022 and with respect to the impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition on a consolidated
basis, including its liquidity position;
the Company’s estimates of purchase obligations and other contractual commitments; and
the Company’s expectations with respect to the sufficiency of its financial resources.
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 - COVID-19”, “Key Metrics - Billings”, “Results of Operations - Fiscal year ended February 28, 2021
compared to fiscal year ended February 29, 2020 - Revenue - Revenue by Product and Service”, “Financial Condition -
Aggregate Contractual Obligations” 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
28
appropriate in the circumstances, including but not limited to, the Company’s expectations regarding its business, strategy,
opportunities and prospects, the launch of new products and services, general economic conditions particularly in light of
COVID-19, competition, and the Company’s expectations regarding its financial performance. 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 risk factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K.
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 changes in technology and the Company’s business strategy, evolving industry standards, intense competition and short
product life cycles that characterize the industries in which the Company operates. See “Strategy” subsection in Part I, Item 1
“Business” of the Annual Report.
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 provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments around the world. The
Company secures more than 500 million endpoints including more than 175 million cars on the road today. Based in Waterloo,
Ontario, the Company leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to deliver innovative solutions in the areas of
cybersecurity, safety and data privacy, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security, endpoint management, encryption, and
embedded systems. The Company’s common shares trade under the ticker symbol “BB” on the New York Stock Exchange and
the Toronto Stock Exchange. The Company was incorporated under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) (“OBCA”) on
March 7, 1984.
The Company continued to execute on its strategy in fiscal 2021 and announced the following achievements:
Products and Innovation:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Announced an agreement with AWS to develop and market the new BlackBerry IVY intelligent vehicle data platform;
Launched BlackBerry Spark® Suites, offering enterprises a range of tailored cybersecurity and endpoint management
options to help protect data, minimize risk, and reduce cost and complexity;
Launched BlackBerry Cyber Suite, the industry’s first comprehensive AI-powered UES solution;
Announced that BlackBerry QNX software is embedded in more than 175 million cars on the road;
Announced that BlackBerry® UES was validated by MITRE ATT&CK APT29, which examines the ability to detect
sophisticated tactics and techniques used by APT29, a group that cybersecurity experts believe operates on behalf of
the Russian government;
Announced that an independent Frost & Sullivan study reported that the Company’s solutions can secure all IoT
endpoints against upwards of 96% of all cyberthreats;
Launched BlackBerry Persona, the industry’s first UEBA solution using AI technology for continuous authentication;
Launched BlackBerry Protect® Mobile, an MTD solution to protect against mobile malware and phishing attacks;
Launched Zoom™ for BlackBerry®, a secure, containerized version of the Zoom app enabled by BlackBerry
Dynamics;
Announced that BlackBerry UEM has achieved National Security Agency (NSA) Commercial Solutions for Classified
Program (CSfC) approval;
Announced that BlackBerry UEM achieved National Information Assurance Partnership (NIAP) and U.S. Department
of Defense Information Network (DoDIN) approvals;
Announced that the BlackBerry® Government Mobility Suite has achieved Federal Risk and Authorization
Management Program (FedRAMP) authorization;
Launched QNX® OS for Safety 2.2 and announced its certification by TÜV Rheinland to IEC 61508 SIL3 (industrial),
ISO 26262 ASIL D (automotive), and IEC 62304 Class C (medical devices) functional safety standards;
Launched BlackBerry QNX® Hypervisor 2.2, the latest edition of the Company’s real-time embedded hypervisor;
Launched QNX® Black Channel Communications Technology, a new software solution that OEMs and embedded
software developers can use to ensure safe data communication exchanges within their safety-critical systems;
Launched the BlackBerry® Alert next-generation critical event management solution for the commercial sector;
Introduced AtHoc® Managed Service to enable organizations of any size to maintain crisis communications
capability;
29
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Announced the launch of BlackBerry® AtHoc® Public Safety Edition to support local governments and universities
with critical event management programs;
Announced the integration of BlackBerry AtHoc with Microsoft Teams;
Announced the integration of the BlackBerry AtHoc service with ServiceNow’s Now platform for rapid crisis
communications and IT service management;
Announced a dedicated European Union market version of BlackBerry AtHoc to comply with data residency
mandates;
Announced enhancements to BlackBerry Radar® devices to help transportation businesses improve asset utilization
and visibility;
Announced that BlackBerry is making available PE Tree, a free open-source tool for cybersecurity professionals that
significantly reduces the time and effort required to reverse engineer malware;
Announced a collaboration with Intel to deliver a new release of BlackBerry Optics to stop cryptojacking malware;
Released the 2021 BlackBerry Threat Report, detailing a sharp rise in cyberthreats facing organizations since the onset
of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Released proprietary research uncovering attacks by BAHAMUT, a massive hack-for-hire group targeting
governments, businesses, human rights groups and influential individuals;
Released new research that examines how five related Chinese Advanced Persistent Threat groups have compromised
Linux servers, Windows systems and mobile Android devices for nearly a decade; and
Announced feature updates to its SecuSUITE for Government and BlackBerry AtHoc solutions.
Customers and Partners:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Launched the BlackBerry IVY Innovation Fund to drive innovation and new products using BlackBerry IVY;
Announced that the U.S. Air Force chose BlackBerry Spark for secure productivity;
Announced expanded partnership with Baidu to power high-definition map technology for autonomous driving;
Announced that Scania AB chose BlackBerry QNX to provide the safety-critical operating system and hypervisor in
its next generation of heavy goods vehicles;
Announced the development of an autonomous driving domain controller for the Xpeng P7 intelligent electric sports
sedan with Desay SV Automotive;
Teamed up with Desay SV Automotive to launch a virtual smart cabin domain controller in Chery’s Tiggo 8 Plus and
Jetour X90 models;
Announced that QNX Black Channel Communications Technology will be used in Motional’s driverless vehicle
platform;
Announced that StradVision will utilize the QNX® Software Development Platform within a number of next
generation advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous vehicles from South Korean automakers;
Announced that the Neutrino operating system will power ADAS systems in Canoo’s next generation electric vehicles;
Announced that BlackBerry QNX technology will power the innovative digital cockpit in ARCFOX αT, a high-end,
intelligent, electric SUV;
Announced that Plus has selected BlackBerry QNX technology for the global commercial deployment of their
automated driving system for Class 8 trucks;
Announced expanded partnerships with Vodafone and TELUS to offer BlackBerry AtHoc as their secure critical event
management and crisis communications solution;
Partnered with Bell to become Bell’s preferred MTD solution provider, delivering BlackBerry Protect to Canadian
enterprise customers;
Launched the BlackBerry Partner Program to unify the BlackBerry Enterprise Partner Program and BlackBerry
Cylance Partner Programs into one comprehensive structure;
Announced that the BlackBerry Enterprise Partner Program and the BlackBerry Cylance Partner Program both
received a 5-Star rating from CRN for the fourth consecutive year;
Expanded the leadership position of the BlackBerry AtHoc crisis communication system within the U.S. federal
government;
Announced that BlackBerry AtHoc introduced Derived Credentials and FedRAMP authorization on AWS GovCloud
to better support U.S. Federal agencies;
Announced that the German Development Agency chose BlackBerry AtHoc as its emergency mass notification
system;
Entered into a partnership with Dedrone, a market and technology leader in airspace security, to deliver advanced
counter-drone technology to secure the world’s most critical sites;
Announced that Sliced Tech will host SecuSUITE for Government for Australian government and enterprise
customers;
Announced that BlackBerry Radar added more than 12 new channel partners including two within Mexico, expanding
the company’s asset monitoring solutions outside of the U.S. and Canada for the first time;
30
•
•
•
•
Entered into a partnership with ZTR to offer railcar owners, operators and suppliers a powerful new digital monitoring
solution;
Announced that BlackBerry® Jarvis™ was named “Best In Breed” binary analysis tool for embedded software by an
Internal Research & Development (IRAD) program study;
Announced the success of a joint cybersecurity skills-based education program with Girl Guides of Canada; and
Entered into a partnership with University of Windsor to develop and deliver a cybersecurity curriculum for the
University’s Graduate Master’s Program in Applied Computing.
Environmental, Sustainability and Corporate Governance:
•
•
•
•
•
Announced that the Company received eleven “Employer of Choice” and “Best Place to Work” Awards in 2020;
Expanded the Company’s commitment to the United Nations Global Compact Sustainable Development Goals;
Extended the Company’s partnership with the American Red Cross by donating BlackBerry AtHoc software to support
community safety and resilience;
Appointed Thomas Eacobacci as President; and
Appointed Marjorie Dickman as Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer.
Debt Redemption and New Issuance
On September 1, 2020, the Company redeemed its outstanding 3.75% unsecured convertible debentures (the “3.75%
Debentures”) for a redemption amount of approximately $615 million (the “Redemption Amount”), which settled all
outstanding obligations of the Company in respect of the 3.75% Debentures.
On September 1, 2020, the Company issued an aggregate of $365 million principal amount of new 1.75% unsecured
convertible debentures maturing on November 13, 2023 (the “1.75% Debentures” and collectively with the 3.75% Debentures,
the “Debentures”) to Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd., in its capacity as investment manager of Fairfax Financial
Holdings Limited ("Fairfax") and another institutional investor on a private placement basis. Fairfax agreed to acquire $330
million principal amount of the 1.75% Debentures and receives interest at the same rate as the other holder of the 1.75%
Debentures. The 1.75% Debentures have terms that are substantially identical to those of the 3.75% Debentures except that the
1.75% Debentures are convertible into common shares at a price of $6.00 per common share, bear a lower rate of interest at
1.75% per annum, are subject to a higher approval threshold for extraordinary resolutions and mature in 2023. Additionally,
the 1.75% Debentures cannot be converted to the extent that, after giving effect to the conversion, the holder would beneficially
own or exercise control or direction over more than 19.99% of the Company’s then issued and outstanding shares. Quarterly
and annual interest expense on the 1.75% Debentures is and will be approximately $2 million and $6 million, respectively.
COVID-19
In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) as pandemic and
extraordinary actions have been taken by international, federal, state, provincial and local governmental authorities to contain
and combat the spread of COVID-19 in regions throughout the world. The COVID-19 pandemic and related public health
measures, including orders to shelter-in-place, travel restrictions and mandated business closures, have adversely affected
workforces, organizations, consumers and economies leading to an economic downturn and increased market volatility.
The pandemic has disrupted the normal operations of the Company and the businesses of many of the Company’s customers,
suppliers and distribution partners. To protect the health and safety of the Company’s employees, contractors, customers and
visitors, throughout most of fiscal 2021, the Company mandated remote working, utilizing virtual meetings and suspending
employee travel, to protect the health and safety of its employees, contractors, customers and visitors. The Company also
shifted customer, industry and other stakeholder events to virtual-only experiences, and may similarly alter, postpone or cancel
other events in the future. The Company has a limited history with substantially remote operations and the long-term impacts
of it are uncertain.
In response to certain anticipated and ongoing impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has also implemented a
series of temporary cost reduction measures to further preserve financial flexibility. These actions include the postponement of
certain discretionary spending, taking advantage of the broad-based employer relief provided by governments in Canada, the
United States and other jurisdictions, temporarily suspending certain company matching contributions to employee retirement
savings plans and deferring increases in the base salaries of many employees and executives. These cost reduction measures and
their estimated savings for the year ended February 28, 2021 included measures impacting employee salaries and benefits of
approximately $18 million, a reduction in travel spending of approximately $18 million, and a reduction in discretionary selling
and administrative expenses relating to marketing and facilities of $14 million. In addition, the Company has recorded
approximately $53 million in offsets to salaries for amounts under the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) and has
deferred approximately $6 million of payments related to payroll taxes in the United States under the U.S. CARES Act, which
amounts have been accrued. The Company estimates that savings from temporary cost reduction measures and governmental
31
assistance related to COVID-19 will be lower in fiscal 2022 and will primarily depend on the speed and extent of the easing of
pandemic-related restrictions and the extent of ongoing government programs.
In fiscal 2021, the economic downturn and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures undertaken to
contain its spread negatively affected the Company’s QNX automotive software business, caused volatility in demand for many
of the Company’s products and services, adversely affected the ability of the Company’s sales and professional services teams
to meet with customers and provide service, negatively impacted expected spending from new customers and increased sales
cycle times.
Although the Company experienced higher quarterly Software & Services revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared
to the first quarter of fiscal 2021 when the COVID-19 pandemic first materially negatively impacted the Company’s operations
and observed a partial recovery in global automotive production volumes by the end of the fiscal year, the COVID-19 pandemic
and related global chip shortage have had and, in fiscal 2022, may continue to have a material adverse impact on the
Company’s QNX automotive software business in particular and on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial
condition on a consolidated basis. The Company does not expect the COVID-19 pandemic and its related economic impact to
materially adversely affect the Company’s liquidity position.
The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operational and financial performance will depend on,
among other things, the pandemic’s duration and severity, the governmental restrictions that may be sustained or imposed in
response to the pandemic, the effectiveness of actions taken to contain or mitigate the pandemic (including the availability and
distribution of vaccines), the impact of the global chip shortage and global economic conditions. The long-term impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business may not be fully reflected until future periods.
The Company continues to evaluate the current and potential impact of the pandemic on its business, results of operations and
consolidated financial statements, including potential asset impairment. The Company also continues to actively monitor
developments and business conditions that may cause it to take further actions that alter business operations as may be required
by applicable authorities or that the Company determines are in the best interests of its employees, customers, suppliers and
stockholders.
Fiscal 2021 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 28, 2021, February 29, 2020, and February 28, 2019:
As at and for the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions, except for share and per share amounts)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
Revenue
Gross margin
Operating expenses
Investment income (loss), net
Income (loss) before income taxes
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes
Net income (loss)
Earnings (loss) per share - reported
Basic
Diluted
Weighted-average number of shares
outstanding (000’s)
Basic
Diluted (1)
Total assets
Total long-term financial liabilities
$
$
$
$
$
$
893 $
1,040 $
643
1,750
(6)
(1,113)
(9)
(1,104) $
763
912
1
(148)
4
(152) $
(147) $
(120)
838
(7)
(965)
(13)
(952) $
904 $
698
638
17
77
(16)
93 $
136
65
274
(16)
(225)
20
(245)
(1.97) $
(1.97) $
(0.27)
(0.32)
$
$
0.17
0.00
561,305
561,305
553,861
614,361
540,477
616,467
2,818 $
720 $
3,888 $
(1,070) $
— $
720 $
3,968 $
665 $
(80)
(665)
______________________________
(1) Diluted earnings (loss) per share on a U.S. GAAP basis for fiscal 2021 does not include the dilutive effect of the Debentures
as to do so would be anti-dilutive. Diluted loss per share on a U.S. GAAP basis for fiscal 2021 and 2020 does not include
the dilutive effect of stock-based compensation as to do so would be anti-dilutive. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial
32
Statements for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021 for calculation of the diluted weighted average number of shares
outstanding.
Financial Highlights
The Company had approximately $804 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments as of February 28, 2021.
In fiscal 2021, the Company recognized revenue of $893 million and incurred a net loss of $1.10 billion, or $1.97 basic and
diluted loss per share on a U.S. GAAP basis. In fiscal 2020, the Company recognized revenue of $1.04 billion and incurred a
net loss of $152 million, or $0.27 basic and $0.32 diluted loss per share on a U.S. GAAP basis.
The Company recognized adjusted revenue of $919 million and adjusted net income of $101 million, or adjusted earnings of
$0.18 per share, on a non-GAAP basis in fiscal 2021. The Company recognized adjusted revenue of $1.10 billion and adjusted
net income of $74 million, and adjusted earnings of $0.13 per share, in fiscal 2020. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures”
below.
Debentures Fair Value Adjustment
As previously disclosed, the Company elected the fair value option to account for the Debentures; therefore, periodic
revaluation has been and continues to be required under U.S. GAAP. The fair value adjustment does not impact the terms of the
Debentures such as the face value, the redemption features or the conversion price.
As of February 28, 2021, the fair value of the 1.75% Debentures was approximately $720 million versus the principal value of
$365 million. For the three months ended February 28, 2021, the Company recorded a non-cash charge relating to changes in
fair value from instrument specific credit risk of $4 million in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“OCI”) and a non-cash
charge relating to changes in fair value from non-credit components of $258 million (pre-tax and after tax) (the “Q4 Fiscal 2021
Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In fiscal 2021, the Company
recorded non-cash income relating to changes in fair value from instrument-specific credit risk of $13 million in OCI and a non-
cash charge relating to changes in fair value from non-credit components of $372 million (pre-tax and after tax) (the “Fiscal
2021 Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. See Note 7 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for further details on the Debentures.
The following table shows the impact of the changes in fair value of the Debentures for the three months and year ended
February 28, 2021:
Income associated with the change in fair value from instrument-specific credit components
on the 3.75% Debentures recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”)
Realized charges associated with the change in fair value from credit components released
from AOCL on redemption of the 3.75% Debentures
Charge associated with the change in fair value from instrument-specific credit components
on the 1.75% Debentures recorded in AOCL
Total non-cash income (charges) recorded in AOCL
$
$
—
$
—
(4)
(4) $
15
6
(8)
13
Three Months Ended
For the Year Ended
February 28, 2021
February 28, 2021
Charge associated with the change in fair value from non-credit components on the 3.75%
Debentures recorded in the consolidated statements of operations
Realized charges associated with the change in fair value from credit components recorded in
the consolidated statements of operations on redemption of the 3.75% Debentures
Charge associated with the change in fair value from non-credit components on the 1.75%
Debentures recorded in the consolidated statements of operations
Total non-cash charges recorded in the consolidated statements of operations
$
$
—
$
—
(258)
(258) $
(19)
(6)
(347)
(372)
Three Months Ended
For the Year Ended
February 28, 2021
February 28, 2021
33
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 March 30, 2021, the Company announced financial results for the three months and fiscal
year ended February 28, 2021, which included certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted revenue, adjusted
Software and Services revenue, adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin percentage, adjusted operating expense, adjusted
operating income, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income margin percentage, adjusted EBITDA margin percentage,
adjusted net income (loss), adjusted income (loss) per share, adjusted research and development expense, adjusted selling,
marketing and administrative expense and adjusted amortization expense.
In the Company’s internal reports, management evaluates the performance of the Company’s business on a non-GAAP basis by
excluding the impact of certain items below from the Company’s U.S. GAAP financial results. The Company believes that
these non-GAAP measures provide readers of the Company’s financial statements with a consistent basis for comparison across
accounting periods and is useful in helping readers understand the Company’s operating results and underlying operational
trends.
•
•
•
•
Debentures fair value adjustment. The Company has elected to measure its Debentures outstanding at fair value in
accordance with the fair value option under U.S. GAAP. Each period, the fair value of the Debentures is recalculated
and resulting non-cash income and charges from the change in fair value from non-credit components of the
Debentures are recognized in income. The amount can vary each period depending on changes to the Company’s share
price. This is not indicative of the Company’s core operating performance, and may not be meaningful in comparison
to the Company’s past operating performance.
Restructuring charges. The Company believes that restructuring costs relating to employee termination benefits and
facilities pursuant to the Resource Allocation Program (“RAP”) entered into in order to transition the Company from a
legacy hardware manufacturer to a licensing driven software business do not reflect expected future operating
expenses, are not indicative of the Company’s core operating performance, and may not be meaningful in comparison
to the Company’s past operating performance.
Software deferred revenue acquired. The Company has acquired businesses whose net assets include deferred revenue.
In accordance with U.S. GAAP reporting requirements, the Company recorded write-downs of deferred revenue under
arrangements pre-dating each acquisition to fair value, which resulted in lower recognized revenue than the original
transaction price until the related service obligations under such arrangements are fulfilled. Therefore, U.S. GAAP
revenues after the acquisitions will not reflect the full amount of revenue that would have been reported if the acquired
deferred revenue was not written down to fair value, prior to the renewal of these arrangements. The Company
believes that reversing the acquisition-related deferred revenue write-downs (so that the full amount of revenue booked
by the acquired businesses is included) provides a more appropriate representation of revenue in a given period and,
therefore, provides readers of the Company’s financial statements with a more consistent basis for comparison across
accounting periods. The Company also believes that the adjustment is more useful in helping readers to understand the
Company’s operating results and underlying operational trends, especially in future periods when the contracts
underlying the acquired deferred revenue are renewed at amounts more consistent with their transaction price. As the
impacted contracts renew over time, the associated reversal of the acquisition write-downs will trend to zero. Given the
extent of the quantitative decline in this adjustment over time through the end of fiscal 2021, the Company plans to
discontinue its usage of this non-GAAP measure beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
Software deferred commission expense acquired. The Company has acquired businesses whose net assets include
deferred commissions. In accordance with U.S. GAAP reporting requirements, the Company recorded write-downs of
deferred commissions under arrangements pre-dating each acquisition to fair value, which in most cases is nil.
Therefore, U.S. GAAP commission expense after the acquisitions will not reflect commission expense that would have
been reported if the acquired deferred commissions were not written down to fair value. The Company believes that
reversing the acquisition-related deferred commission write-downs (so that the full amount of commission expense is
included) provides a more appropriate representation of commission expense in a given period and, therefore, provides
readers of the Company’s financial statements with a more consistent basis for comparison across accounting periods.
The Company also believes that the adjustment is more useful in helping readers to understand the Company’s
operating results and underlying operational trends, especially in future periods when the Company recognizes
commissions on the renewals of the contracts underlying the acquired deferred commissions. As the impacted
contracts renew over time, the associated reversal of the acquisition write-downs will trend to zero. Given the extent of
the quantitative decline in this adjustment over time through the end of fiscal 2021, the Company plans to discontinue
its usage of this non-GAAP measure beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.
•
Stock compensation expenses. Equity compensation is a non-cash expense and does not impact the ongoing operating
decisions taken by the Company’s management.
34
•
•
•
•
•
•
Amortization of acquired intangible assets. When the Company acquires intangible assets through business
combinations, the assets are recorded as part of purchase accounting and contribute to revenue generation. Such
acquired intangible assets depreciate over time and the related amortization will recur in future periods until the assets
have been fully amortized. This is not indicative of the Company’s core operating performance, and may not be
meaningful in comparison to the Company’s past operating performance.
Business acquisition and integration costs. The Company incurs costs associated with business acquisitions, including
legal costs, audit and accounting fees, and other acquisition and integration expenses. These expenditures do not relate
to the ongoing operation of the business and they tend to vary significantly based on the circumstances of each
transaction. This is not indicative of the Company’s core operating performance, and may not be meaningful in
comparison to the Company’s past operating performance.
Acquisition valuation allowance. The Company records an income tax valuation allowance associated with business
acquisitions. This is not indicative of the Company’s core operating performance, and may not be meaningful in
comparison to the Company’s past operating performance.
Settlements, net. The Company believes that settlements, net is an unusual item related to legacy operations which is
not reflective of the Company’s ongoing operating expense or core operating performance and may not be meaningful
in comparison to the Company’s past and future operating performance.
Long-lived asset impairment charge. The Company believes that long-lived asset impairment charges do not reflect
expected future operating expenses, are not indicative of the Company’s core operating performance, and may not be
meaningful in comparison to the Company’s past operating performance.
Goodwill impairment charge. The Company believes that goodwill impairment charges do not reflect expected future
operating expenses, are not indicative of the Company’s core operating performance, and may not be meaningful in
comparison to the Company’s past operating performance.
On a U.S. GAAP basis, the impact of these items is reflected in the Company’s income statement. However, the Company
believes that the provision of supplemental non-GAAP measures allow investors to evaluate the financial performance of the
Company’s business using the same evaluation measures that management uses, and is therefore a useful indication of the
Company’s performance or expected performance of future operations and facilitates period-to-period comparison of operating
performance. As a result, the Company considers it appropriate and reasonable to provide, in addition to U.S. GAAP measures,
supplementary non-GAAP financial measures that exclude certain items from the presentation of its financial results.
Reconciliation of non-GAAP based measures with most directly comparable U.S. GAAP based measures for the three
months ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019
Readers are cautioned that adjusted revenue, adjusted Software and Services revenue, adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross
margin percentage, adjusted operating expense, adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income
margin percentage, adjusted EBITDA margin percentage, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted income (loss) per share, adjusted
research and development expense, adjusted selling, marketing and administrative expense and adjusted amortization expense
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 and presented in the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
35
A reconciliation of the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures for the three months ended February 28, 2021,
February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 to adjusted financial measures is reflected in the tables below:
For the Three Months Ended (in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Revenue
Software deferred revenue acquired (1)
Adjusted revenue
Gross margin
Software deferred revenue acquired (1)
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Adjusted gross margin
Gross margin %
Software deferred revenue acquired (1)
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Adjusted gross margin %
______________________________
$
$
$
$
210
$
282
$
5
9
215
$
291
$
152
$
212
$
5
—
1
9
—
2
255
2
257
206
2
1
1
158
$
223
$
210
72.4 %
0.6 %
— %
0.5 %
73.5 %
75.2 %
0.7 %
— %
0.7 %
76.6 %
80.8 %
0.1 %
0.4 %
0.4 %
81.7 %
(1) See Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Software and Services revenue to adjusted Software and Services revenue
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP operating expense for the three months ended February 28, 2021, November 30, 2020,
February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 to adjusted operating expense is reflected in the tables below:
For the Three Months Ended (in millions)
February 28, 2021 November 30, 2020
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
465 $
276 $
253 $
178
Operating expense
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Debenture fair value adjustment (1)
—
16
258
—
11
95
1
15
5
Software deferred commission expense acquired
(3)
(4)
(3)
Acquired intangibles amortization
Business acquisition and integration costs
Goodwill impairment charge
LLA impairment charge
Settlements, net
Adjusted operating expense
______________________________
32
—
—
22
—
32
—
—
—
—
35
1
22
5
—
$
140 $
142 $
172 $
(1) See “Fiscal 2021 Summary Results of Operations - Financial Highlights - Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”
36
2
13
(6)
—
18
8
—
—
(9)
152
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP net income (loss) and U.S. GAAP basic earnings (loss) per share for the three months ended
February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 to adjusted net income and adjusted basic earnings per share is
reflected in the tables below:
For the Three Months Ended (in millions, except per share amounts)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Net income (loss)
Software deferred revenue acquired
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Debenture fair value adjustment
Software deferred commission expense acquired
Acquired intangibles amortization
Business acquisition and integration costs
Goodwill impairment charge
LLA impairment charge
Settlements, net
Acquisition valuation allowance
Adjusted net income
Basic
earnings
(loss)
per share
Basic
earnings
(loss)
per share
Basic
earnings
per share
$
(315) $(0.56)
$
(41) $(0.07)
$
51
$0.09
5
—
17
258
(3)
32
—
—
22
—
—
16
$
$0.03
$
9
1
17
5
(3)
35
1
22
5
—
—
51
2
3
14
(6)
—
18
8
—
—
(9)
(21)
$0.09
$
60
$0.11
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Software and Services revenue for the three months ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020
and February 28, 2019 to adjusted Software and Services revenue is reflected in the tables below:
For the Three Months Ended (in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Software and Services Revenue
Software deferred revenue acquired
Adjusted Software and Services revenue
$
$
160 $
5
165 $
170 $
9
179 $
147
2
149
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP research and development, selling, marketing and administration, and amortization expense for
the three months ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 to adjusted research and development,
selling, marketing and administration, and amortization expense is reflected in the tables below:
For the Three Months Ended (in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Research and development
Stock compensation expense
Adjusted research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Restructuring charges
Software deferred commission expense acquired
Stock compensation expense
Business acquisition and integration costs
Adjusted selling, marketing and administration
Amortization
Acquired intangibles amortization
Adjusted amortization
48 $
3
45 $
92 $
—
(3)
13
—
82 $
45 $
32
13 $
60 $
3
57 $
52
3
49
113 $
110
1
(3)
12
1
102 $
48 $
35
13 $
2
—
10
8
90
31
18
13
$
$
$
$
$
$
37
Reconciliation of selected non-GAAP based measures with most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures for the years
ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019
A reconciliation of the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures for the years ended February 28, 2021,
February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 to adjusted financial measures is reflected in the tables below:
For the Fiscal Years Ended (in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Revenue
Software deferred revenue acquired (1)
Adjusted revenue
Gross margin
Software deferred revenue acquired (1)
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Adjusted gross margin
Gross margin %
Software deferred revenue acquired (1)
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Adjusted gross margin %
Operating expense
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Debenture fair value adjustment (2)
Software deferred commission expense acquired
Acquired intangibles amortization
Business acquisition and integration costs
Goodwill impairment charge
LLA impairment charge
Settlements, net
Adjusted operating expense
______________________________
$
$
$
$
893
$
1,040
$
26
59
919
$
1,099
$
643
$
763
$
26
—
5
59
5
5
674
$
832
$
72.0 %
0.8 %
— %
0.5 %
73.3 %
73.4 %
1.4 %
0.5 %
0.4 %
75.7 %
$
1,750
$
912
$
2
47
372
(13)
129
—
594
43
—
5
58
(66)
(16)
141
4
22
10
—
$
576
$
754
$
904
12
916
698
12
2
4
716
77.2 %
0.3 %
0.2 %
0.5 %
78.2 %
638
9
64
(117)
—
82
12
—
—
(9)
597
(1) See Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Software and Services revenue to adjusted Software and Service revenue
(2) See “Fiscal 2021 Summary Results of Operations - Financial Highlights - Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”
38
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP net income (loss) and U.S. GAAP basic earnings (loss) per share for the years ended February 28,
2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 to the adjusted net income and adjusted basic earnings per share is reflected in
the tables below:
For the Fiscal Years Ended (in millions, except per share amounts)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Net income (loss)
Software deferred revenue acquired
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Debenture fair value adjustment
Software deferred commission expense acquired
Acquired intangibles amortization
Business acquisition and integration costs
Goodwill impairment charge
LLA impairment charge
Settlements, net
Acquisition valuation allowance
Adjusted net income
Basic
earnings
(loss)
per share
Basic
earnings
(loss)
per share
Basic
earnings
per share
$
(1,104) $ (1.97) $
(152) $ (0.27) $
93 $ 0.17
26
2
52
372
(13)
129
—
594
43
—
—
59
10
63
(66)
(16)
141
4
22
10
—
(1)
12
11
68
(117)
—
82
12
—
—
(9)
(21)
$
101
$0.18
$
74
$0.13
$
131
$0.24
Reconciliation of U.S. GAAP Software and Services revenue for the years ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and
February 28, 2019 to adjusted Software and Services revenue is reflected in the tables below:
For the Fiscal Years Ended (in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Software and Services Revenue
Software deferred revenue acquired
Adjusted Software and Services revenue
$
$
621 $
26
647 $
691 $
59
750 $
559
12
571
Reconciliation of U.S GAAP research and development, selling, marketing and administration, and amortization expense for
the years ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 to adjusted research and development, selling,
marketing and administration, and amortization expense is reflected in the tables below:
For the Fiscal Years Ended (in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Research and development
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Adjusted research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Restructuring charges
Software deferred commission expense acquired
Stock compensation expense
Business acquisition and integration costs
Adjusted selling, marketing and administration
Amortization
Acquired intangibles amortization
Adjusted amortization
215 $
259 $
—
11
—
13
204 $
246 $
344 $
2
(13)
36
—
493 $
5
(16)
45
4
319 $
455 $
182 $
129
53 $
194 $
141
53 $
219
2
12
205
409
7
—
52
12
338
136
82
54
$
$
$
$
$
$
39
Adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income margin percentage and adjusted EBITDA margin
percentage for the three months ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 are reflected in the table
below. These are non-GAAP financial measures that do not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by U.S. GAAP and
are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
For the Three Months Ended (in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Operating income (loss)
$
(313) $
(41) $
Non-GAAP adjustments to operating income (loss)
Software deferred revenue acquired
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Debenture fair value adjustment
Software deferred commission expense acquired
Acquired intangibles amortization
Business acquisition and integration costs
Goodwill impairment charge
LLA impairment charge
Settlements, net
Total non-GAAP adjustments to operating income (loss)
Adjusted operating income
Amortization
Acquired intangibles amortization
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted revenue (per above)
Adjusted operating income margin % (1)
Adjusted EBITDA margin % (2)
______________________________
$
$
5
—
17
258
(3)
32
—
—
22
—
331
18
49
(32)
35 $
9
1
17
5
(3)
35
1
22
5
—
92
51
52
(35)
68 $
28
2
3
14
(6)
—
18
8
—
—
(9)
30
58
33
(18)
73
215 $
291 $
8 %
16 %
18 %
23 %
257
23 %
28 %
(1) Adjusted operating income margin % is calculated by dividing adjusted operating income by adjusted revenue
(2) Adjusted EBITDA margin % is calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA by adjusted revenue
40
Adjusted operating income, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted operating income margin percentage and adjusted EBITDA margin
percentage for the fiscal years ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 are reflected in the table
below.
For the Fiscal Years Ended (in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Operating income (loss)
$
(1,107)
$
(149)
$
Non-GAAP adjustments to operating income (loss)
Software deferred revenue acquired
Restructuring charges
Stock compensation expense
Debenture fair value adjustment
Software deferred commission expense acquired
Acquired intangibles amortization
Business acquisition and integration costs
Goodwill impairment charge
LLA impairment charge
Settlements, net
Total non-GAAP adjustments to operating income (loss)
Adjusted operating income
Amortization
Acquired intangibles amortization
Adjusted EBITDA
26
2
52
372
(13)
129
—
594
43
—
1,205
98
198
(129)
$
167
$
59
10
63
(66)
(16)
141
4
22
10
—
227
78
212
(141)
149
$
Adjusted revenue (per above)
Adjusted operating income margin % (1)
Adjusted EBITDA margin % (2)
______________________________
(1) Adjusted operating income margin % is calculated by dividing adjusted operating income by adjusted revenue
(2) Adjusted EBITDA margin % is calculated by dividing adjusted EBITDA by adjusted revenue
1,099
18 %
14 %
11 %
919
7 %
$
$
$
60
12
11
68
(117)
—
82
12
—
—
(9)
59
119
149
(82)
186
916
13 %
20 %
Key Metrics
The Company regularly monitors a number of financial and operating metrics, including the following key metrics, in order to
measure the Company’s current performance and estimate future performance. Readers are cautioned that billings, recurring
revenue percentage, annual recurring revenue (“ARR”), dollar-based net retention rate (“DBNRR”), net customer churn rate
and free cash flow 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.
Billings
The Company defines billings as amounts invoiced less credits issued. The Company considers billings to be a useful metric
because billings drive deferred revenue, which is an important indicator of the health and visibility of the business, and
represents a significant percentage of future revenue.
Both Software and Services and total Company billings increased in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to the third
quarter of fiscal 2021. Software and Services billings were consistent with the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, but total Company
billings decreased. In fiscal 2022, the Company expects Cyber Security and BTS billings to grow by double-digit percentages.
Recurring Software Product Revenue
The Company defines recurring software product revenue percentage as recurring software product revenue divided by total
software and services revenue. Recurring software product revenue is comprised of subscription and term licenses, maintenance
arrangements, royalty arrangements and perpetual licenses recognized ratably under ASC 606. Total software and services
revenue is comprised of recurring product revenue, non-recurring product revenue and professional services. The Company
41
uses recurring software product revenue percentage to provide visibility into the revenue expected to be recognized in the
current and future periods.
Total adjusted Software and Services product revenue, excluding professional services, was approximately 90% recurring in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and decreased from greater than 90% recurring in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 due to product
mix.
Annual Recurring Revenue
The Company defines ARR as the annualized value of all subscription, term, maintenance, services, and royalty contracts that
generate recurring revenue as of the end of the reporting period. The Company uses ARR as an indicator of business
momentum for software and services.
Software and Services ARR was approximately $468 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and decreased compared to the
third quarter of fiscal 2021 primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 on BTS, specifically on QNX production-based royalties.
QNX royalties are included in the ARR calculation on a trailing four quarter basis.
Dollar-Based Net Retention Rate
The Company calculates the DBNRR as of any period end by first calculating the ARR from the customer base as at 12 months
prior to the current period end (“Prior Period ARR”). The Company then calculates the ARR for the same cohort of customers
as at the current period end (“Current Period ARR”). The Company then divides the Current Period ARR by the Prior Period
ARR to calculate the DBNRR.
Software and Services DBNRR was 91% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 and increased compared to 90% in the third quarter
of fiscal 2021.
Net Customer Churn Rate
The Company defines net customer churn rate as the difference between the gross customer churn rate and the new customer
acquisition rate, divided by the number of active customers in the prior quarter, expressed as a percentage. The Company uses
net customer churn rate to evaluate the rate the Company is obtaining new customers to offset customers lost due to account
cancellations or non-renewal of subscriptions.
Net Customer Churn Rate was approximately 1% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 consistent with the third quarter of fiscal
2021.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a measure of liquidity calculated as net operating cash flow minus capital expenditures. Free cash flow does
not have any standardized meaning as prescribed by U.S. GAAP and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures
presented by other companies. The Company uses free cash flow when assessing its sources of liquidity, capital resources, and
quality of earnings. Free cash flow is helpful in understanding the Company’s capital requirements and provides an additional
means to reflect the cash flow trends in the Company’s business. For the three months ended February 28, 2021, the Company’s
net cash flow provided by operating activities was $51 million and capital expenditures were $3 million, resulting in the
Company reporting free cash flow of $48 million.
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, the Company’s net cash provided by operating activities was $82 million and
capital expenditures were $8 million, resulting in the Company reporting free cash flow of $74 million.
The Company previously stated that it expected to generate positive free cash flow in fiscal 2021. The Company has generated
positive free cash flow in fiscal 2021.
42
Results of Operations - Fiscal year ended February 28, 2021 compared to fiscal year ended February 29, 2020
Revenue
Revenue by Product and Service
Comparative breakdowns of revenue by product and service on a U.S. GAAP basis are set forth below.
Revenue by Product and Service
Software and Services
Licensing and Other
% Revenue by Product and Service
Software and Services
Licensing and Other
Software and Services
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions)
$
$
621
272
893
$
$
691
349
1,040
$
$
(70) $
(77)
(147) $
559
345
904
$
$
132
4
136
69.5 %
30.5 %
100.0 %
66.4 %
33.6 %
100.0 %
61.8 %
38.2 %
100.0 %
Software and Services revenue was $621 million, or 69.5% of revenue in fiscal 2021, a decrease of $70 million compared to
$691 million, or 66.4% of revenue in fiscal 2020. The decrease in Software and Services revenue of $70 million was primarily
due to a decrease of $75 million in recurring royalties in BlackBerry QNX, due to the slowdown in the automotive market
related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the conversion in the prior fiscal year of certain existing royalty-bearing licenses to
fixed pricing from volume-based pricing, a decrease of $16 million relating to professional services, a decrease of $9 million in
BlackBerry AtHoc revenue and a decrease of $7 million relating to non-automotive OEM business, partially offset by an
increase of $24 million related to product revenue in BlackBerry Spark and an increase of $18 million related to the sale of
Secusmart solutions.
Adjusted Software and Services revenue was $647 million in fiscal 2021 compared to $750 million in fiscal 2020, representing
a decrease of $103 million. The $103 million decrease in adjusted Software and Services revenue was primarily attributable to
the same reasons described above on a U.S. GAAP basis and due to a decrease of $33 million in the non-GAAP adjustment of
deferred software revenue acquired to $26 million in fiscal 2021 from $59 million in fiscal 2020.
The Company previously stated that in fiscal 2021, the Company expected BlackBerry QNX revenue to be negatively impacted
by a slowdown in automotive market related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the impact of which could be partially offset by
increased customer demand for the Company’s endpoint security and productivity solutions that support business continuity
and remote working environments, including the BlackBerry Spark platform, SecuSUITE and BlackBerry AtHoc. This is
reflected in the Company’s results as noted above, with the exception of BlackBerry AtHoc which also declined.
The Company previously stated that it expected Software and Services, excluding BTS, to have slight U.S. GAAP and adjusted
revenue growth in the second half of fiscal 2021. Software and Services, excluding BTS, had slight U.S. GAAP and adjusted
revenue growth in the second half of fiscal 2021.
In fiscal 2022, the Company expects that Cyber Security revenue and BTS revenue will be higher in the second half of the year
than in the first half of the year, and that Cyber Security revenue will be between $495 million and $515 million. Assuming
that the global chip shortage has been alleviated by the middle of fiscal 2022, the Company expects that BTS revenue will
return to a pre-pandemic run-rate of approximately $50 million per quarter by that time and will be between $180 million and
$200 million for fiscal 2022 as a whole, such that full-year Software and Services revenue will be between $675 million and
$715 million.
43
Licensing and Other
Licensing and Other revenue was $272 million, or 30.5% of revenue in fiscal 2021, a decrease of $77 million compared to $349
million, or 33.6% of revenue in fiscal 2020. The decrease in Licensing and Other revenue of $77 million was primarily due to a
decrease of $93 million in revenue from the BBM Consumer licensing arrangement and a decrease of $8 million from mobility
licensing arrangements, partially offset by an increase of $16 million in revenue from the Company’s intellectual property
(“IP”) licensing arrangements including its patent licensing agreement with Teletry, and an increase in $16 million in revenue
generated from IP sales. SAF revenue, which is generated from users of BlackBerry 7 and prior BlackBerry operating systems,
also decreased by $8 million, primarily due to a lower number of BlackBerry 7 users and lower revenue from those users
compared to fiscal 2020.
The Company previously stated that it expects Licensing revenue to be modestly above $250 million in fiscal 2021, which is
reflected in the above results.
The Company previously stated that it expected to generate total Company adjusted revenue of approximately $950 to $965
million in fiscal 2021, assuming a gradual re-opening of the global economy as the measures undertaken to contain the
COVID-19 pandemic are reduced. Total adjusted revenue was $919 million in fiscal 2021 primarily due to the impact on the
Company’s Licensing and Other business of the Company having entered into negotiations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021
for the potential sale of a portion of the Company’s patent portfolio. The Company has limited its patent monetization activities
due to the negotiations and because revenue from additional transactions that could have been completed in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2021 would have been treated as contingent revenue and deferred to future periods. Had negotiations not been in progress
during the quarter, the Company believes that Licensing and Other revenue would have been higher.
Throughout the period in which negotiations or anticipated regulatory reviews related to the potential patent portfolio
transaction are ongoing, the Company expects to continue to limit its monetization activities and expects to generate Licensing
and Other revenue of $10 million to $15 million per fiscal quarter. If the sale process concludes in the middle of fiscal 2022
without the completion of a transaction, the Company will resume its prior monetization activities and expects that Licensing
and Other revenue will be approximately $100 million in fiscal 2022. If a sale transaction is completed, the Company expects
that Licensing and Other revenue will be significantly higher than $100 million in fiscal 2022 and the Company expects to use
the transaction proceeds primarily to support the growth of the Software and Services business.
U.S. GAAP Revenue by Geography
Comparative breakdowns of the geographic regions on a U.S. GAAP basis are set forth in the following table:
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions)
$
$
633
197
63
893
$
$
743
221
76
1,040
$
$
(110) $
(24)
(13)
(147) $
599
222
83
904
$
$
144
(1)
(7)
136
70.9 %
22.1 %
7.0 %
71.4 %
21.3 %
7.3 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
66.2 %
24.6 %
9.2 %
100.0 %
Revenue by Geography
North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Other regions
% Revenue by Geography
North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Other regions
North America Revenue
Revenue in North America was $633 million, or 70.9% of revenue, in fiscal 2021, reflecting a decrease of $110 million
compared to $743 million, or 71.4% of revenue in fiscal 2020. The decrease in North American revenue is primarily due to a
decrease of $93 million in revenue from the BBM Consumer licensing arrangement and a decrease of $37 million in
BlackBerry QNX revenue, due to the reasons discussed above in “Revenue by Product and Service”, a decrease of $11 million
relating to professional services, a decrease of $9 million in BlackBerry AtHoc revenue and a decrease of $7 million relating to
non-automotive OEM business, partially offset by an increase of $32 million in IP licensing and sale revenue due to the reasons
discussed above in “Revenue by Product and Service” and an increase of $18 million in product revenue in BlackBerry Spark.
44
Europe, Middle East and Africa Revenue
Revenue in Europe, Middle East and Africa was $197 million, or 22.1% of revenue, in fiscal 2021, reflecting a decrease of $24
million compared to $221 million, or 21.3% of revenue, in fiscal 2020. The decrease in revenue is primarily due to a decrease
of $30 million in BlackBerry QNX revenue, a decrease of $7 million in SAF revenue due to the reasons discussed above in
“Revenue by Product and Service” and a decrease of $5 million in professional services, partially offset by an increase of $18
million related to the sale of Secusmart solutions.
Other Regions Revenue
Revenue in other regions was $63 million, or 7.0% of revenue, in fiscal 2021, reflecting a decrease of $13 million compared to
$76 million, or 7.3% of revenue, in fiscal 2020. The decrease in revenue is primarily due to a decrease of $8 million from
mobility licensing arrangements and a decrease of $7 million in BlackBerry QNX revenue due to the reasons discussed above
in “Revenue by Product and Service”, a decrease of $4 million in professional services and a decrease of $2 million in
development seat revenue, partially offset by an increase of $6 million in product revenue in BlackBerry Spark.
Gross Margin
Consolidated Gross Margin
Consolidated gross margin decreased by $120 million to approximately $643 million in fiscal 2021 from $763 million in fiscal
2020. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in revenue in BlackBerry QNX and Licensing and Other, partially offset by
increases in revenue in Secusmart and BlackBerry Spark, due to the reasons discussed above in “Revenue by Product and
Service”, as the Company’s cost of sales does not significantly fluctuate based on business volume.
Consolidated Gross Margin Percentage
Consolidated gross margin percentage decreased by 1.4%, to approximately 72.0% of consolidated revenue in fiscal 2021 from
73.4% of consolidated revenue in fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily due a lower proportion of gross margin percentage
associated with BlackBerry QNX due to the reasons discussed above in “Revenue by Product and Service”.
Operating Expenses
The table below presents a comparison of research and development, selling, marketing and administration, and amortization
expense for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019.
Revenue
Operating expenses
Research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Amortization
Impairment of goodwill
Impairment of long-lived assets
Debentures fair value adjustment
Settlements, net
Total
Operating Expense as % of Revenue
Research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Amortization
Impairment of goodwill
Impairment of long-lived assets
Debentures fair value adjustment
Settlements, net
Total
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
$
893
$
1,040
$
(147) $
904
$
136
259
493
194
22
10
(66)
—
912
24.9 %
47.4 %
18.7 %
2.1 %
1.0 %
(6.3) %
— %
87.7 %
215
344
182
594
43
372
—
$
1,750
$
24.1 %
38.5 %
20.4 %
66.5 %
4.8 %
41.7 %
— %
196.0 %
45
(44)
(149)
(12)
572
33
438
—
219
409
136
—
—
(117)
(9)
40
84
58
22
10
51
9
$
838 $
638
$
274
24.2 %
45.2 %
15.0 %
— %
— %
(12.9) %
(1.0) %
70.6 %
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of selected U.S. GAAP-based measures to adjusted measures for the
years ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019.
U.S. GAAP Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased by $838 million, or 91.9%, to $1,750 million, or 196.0% of revenue in fiscal 2021, compared to
$912 million, or 87.7% of revenue, in fiscal 2020. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $572 million in
goodwill impairment, the difference between the Fiscal 2021 Debentures Fair Value Adjustment and the fair value adjustment
related to the Debentures incurred in fiscal 2020 (the “Fiscal 2020 Debentures Fair Value Adjustment”) of $438 million, and an
increase of $33 million in impairment of long-lived assets, partially offset by the benefit of $53 million in government subsidies
resulting from claims filed for the CEWS program to support the business through the COVID-19 pandemic, a decrease of $42
million in salaries and benefits expense, and a decrease of $19 million in variable incentive plan costs.
Adjusted Operating Expenses
Adjusted operating expenses decreased by $178 million, or 23.6%, to $576 million in fiscal 2021, compared to $754 million in
fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to the benefit of $53 million in CEWS funding, a decrease of $41 million in
salaries and benefits expense, a decrease of $20 million in variable incentive plan costs, a decrease of $19 million in travel
expense, a decrease in cost associated with a direct IP licensing arrangement of $18 million in fiscal 2020 which did not recur,
and a decrease of $15 million in marketing and advertising expense.
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 costs, infrastructure costs and other employee costs.
Research and development expenses decreased by $44 million, or 17.0%, to $215 million, or 24.1% of revenue, in fiscal 2021,
compared to $259 million, or 24.9% of revenue, in fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $25
million in salaries and benefits expense, a decrease of $8 million in variable incentive plan costs, a decrease of $7 million in
consulting fees, and a decrease of $2 million in travel expense, partially offset by a decrease of $4 million in claims filed with
the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada relating to its Strategic Innovation Fund program’s
investment in BlackBerry QNX.
Adjusted research and development expenses decreased by $42 million, or 17.1% to $204 million in fiscal 2021 compared to
$246 million in fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily due to the same reasons described above on a U.S. GAAP basis.
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 $149 million, or 30.2%, to $344 million, or 38.5% of revenue, in
fiscal 2021 compared to $493 million in fiscal 2020, or 47.4% of revenue. The decrease was primarily attributable to the benefit
of $53 million in CEWS funding, a decrease in costs associated with direct IP licensing arrangements of $18 million in fiscal
2020 which did not recur, a decrease of $16 million in travel expense, a decrease of $16 million in salaries and benefits
expense, a decrease of $15 million in marketing and advertising cost, and a decrease of $11 million in variable incentive plan
costs.
Adjusted selling, marketing and administration expenses decreased by $136 million, or 29.9%, to $319 million in fiscal 2021
compared to $455 million in fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily due to the same reasons described above on a U.S. GAAP
basis.
46
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 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2020 compared to fiscal 2019.
Intangible assets are comprised of patents, licenses and acquired technology.
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions)
Included in Operating Expense
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Total
$
$
17 $
165
182 $
18 $
176
194 $
(1) $
(11)
(12) $
14 $
122
136 $
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
Included in Cost of Sales
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Total
$
$
4 $
12
16 $
6 $
12
18 $
(2) $
—
(2) $
6 $
7
13 $
4
54
58
—
5
5
Amortization included in Operating Expense
Amortization expense relating to certain property, plant and equipment and intangible assets decreased by $12 million to $182
million for fiscal 2021, compared to $194 million for fiscal 2020. The decrease in amortization expense was due to the lower
cost base of assets.
Adjusted amortization expense was $53 million in fiscal 2021, consistent with $53 million in fiscal 2020.
Amortization included in Cost of Sales
Amortization expense relating to certain property, plant and equipment and intangible assets employed in the Company’s
service operations decreased by $2 million to $16 million for fiscal 2021, compared to $18 million for fiscal 2020. The decrease
in amortization expense was due to the lower cost base of assets.
Investment Income (Loss), Net
Investment income (loss), net, which includes the interest expense from the Debentures, decreased by $7 million to investment
loss, net of $6 million in fiscal 2021, from investment income, net of $1 million in fiscal 2020. The decrease in investment
income, net is primarily due to a lower yield on cash and investments in fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 and a decrease in
average cash and investment balance during fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 as a result of the redemption of the 3.75%
Debentures and issuance of the 1.75% Debentures, partially offset by a decrease in interest expense from the Debentures.
Income Taxes
For fiscal 2021, the Company’s net effective income tax recovery rate was approximately 1%, compared to a net effective
income tax expense of approximately 3% for the prior fiscal year. The Company’s net effective income tax rate reflects the
change in unrecognized income tax benefits and the fact that the Company has a significant valuation allowance against its
deferred tax assets, and in particular, 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 rate also reflects the geographic
mix of earnings in jurisdictions with different income tax rates.
The Company’s adjusted net effective income tax recovery rate was approximately 10%, compared to a net effective income tax
expense of approximately 6% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The increase is due to current year taxable items that
could not be offset with carried forward tax attributes such as tax losses.
47
Net Loss
The Company’s net loss for fiscal 2021 was $1.10 billion, reflecting an increase in net loss of $952 million compared to net loss
of $152 million in fiscal 2020, primarily due to an increase in operating expenses due to the goodwill impairment and increase
in debenture fair value adjustment, as described above in “Operating Expenses”, and a decrease in revenue as described above
in “Revenue by Product and Service”.
Adjusted net income for fiscal 2021 was $101 million compared to $74 million in fiscal 2020, reflecting an increase in adjusted
net income of $27 million, primarily due to a decrease in operating expenditures as described above in “Operating Expenses”,
partially offset by a decrease in revenue as described above in “Revenue by Product and Service” and a decrease in gross
margin percentage, as describe above in “Consolidated Gross Margin Percentage”.
Basic and diluted loss per share on a U.S. GAAP basis was $1.97 in fiscal 2021, an increase in basic and diluted loss per share
of $1.70 and $1.65, respectively, compared to basic loss per share on a U.S. GAAP basis of $0.27 and diluted loss per share on
a U.S. GAAP basis of $0.32 in fiscal 2020.
The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 561 million for basic and diluted loss per share, respectively, for the
fiscal year ended February 28, 2021. The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 554 million and 614 million for
basic and diluted loss per share, respectively, for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020.
The Company previously stated that it expected to be profitable on a non-GAAP basis for fiscal 2021. The Company was non-
GAAP profitable for fiscal 2021.
Common Shares Outstanding
On March 26, 2021, there were 566 million voting common shares, options to purchase 2 million voting common shares, 22
million restricted share units and 1 million deferred share units outstanding. In addition, 60.8 million common shares are
issuable upon conversion in full of the 1.75% Debentures, as described in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company has not paid any cash dividends during the last three fiscal years.
Results of Operations - Three months ended February 28, 2021 compared to the three months ended February 29, 2020
The following section 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 28, 2021,
February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019:
For the Three Months Ended
(in millions, except for share and per share amounts)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
Revenue
Gross margin
Operating expenses
Investment income (loss), net
Income (loss) before income taxes
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes
Net income (loss)
Earnings (loss) per share - reported
Basic
Diluted (1)
$
$
$
Weighted-average number of shares
outstanding (000’s)
Basic
Diluted (1)
______________________________
$
210 $
282 $
152
465
—
(313)
2
(315) $
212
253
(1)
(42)
(1)
(41) $
(72) $
(60)
212
1
(271)
3
(274) $
255 $
206
178
4
32
(19)
51 $
27
6
75
(5)
(74)
18
(92)
(0.56) $
(0.56) $
(0.07) $
(0.07) $
(0.49) $
(0.49) $
0.09 $
0.08 $
(0.16)
(0.15)
566,089
566,089
556,668
556,668
547,272
615,593
(1)
Diluted loss per share on a U.S. GAAP basis in the fourth quarter of 2021 and 2020 do not include the dilutive effect
of the Debentures as to do so would be anti-dilutive. Diluted loss per share on a U.S. GAAP basis in the fourth quarter
of 2021 and 2020 do not include the dilutive effect of stock-based compensation as to do so would be anti-dilutive.
48
Revenue
Revenue by Product and Service
Comparative breakdowns of revenue by product and service on a U.S. GAAP basis are set forth below.
Revenue by Product and Service
Software and Services
Licensing and Other
% Revenue by Product and Service
Software and Services
Licensing and Other
Software and Services
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
For the Three Months Ended
(in millions)
$
$
160
50
210
$
$
170
112
282
$
$
(10) $
(62)
(72) $
147
108
255
$
$
23
4
27
76.2 %
23.8 %
100.0 %
60.3 %
39.7 %
100.0 %
57.6 %
42.4 %
100.0 %
Software and Services revenue was $160 million, or 76.2% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, a decrease of $10
million compared to $170 million, or 60.3% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease in Software and
Services revenue of $10 million was primarily due to a decrease of $6 million due to the slowdown in the automotive market
related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the conversion in the prior fiscal year of certain existing royalty-bearing licenses to
fixed pricing from volume-based pricing, a decrease of $4 million relating to professional services and a decrease of $2 million
relating to non-automotive OEM business, partially offset by an increase of $2 million related to the sale of Secusmart solutions
and an increase of $1 million related to product revenue in BlackBerry Spark.
Adjusted Software and Services revenue was $165 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, a decrease of $14 million
compared to $179 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Adjusted Software and Services revenue decreased due to the
reasons described above on a U.S. GAAP basis and due to a decrease of $4 million in the non-GAAP adjustment of deferred
software revenue acquired to $5 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 from $9 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
The Company previously stated that it expected Software and Services to have sequential non-GAAP revenue growth in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. Software and Services non-GAAP revenue decreased by approximately 2% sequentially in the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 primarily due to lower than expected revenue from Secusmart and BlackBerry AtHoc.
The Company previously stated that it expected sequential BTS revenue growth in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. BTS
revenue grew sequentially in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021.
Licensing and Other
Licensing and Other revenue was $50 million, or 23.8% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, a decrease of $62
million compared to $112 million, or 39.7% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease in Licensing and
Other revenue of $62 million was primarily due to a decrease of $71 million in revenue from the BBM Consumer licensing
arrangement, partially offset by an increase of $10 million in revenue from the Company’s IP licensing and sale arrangements
including its patent licensing agreement with Teletry.
49
U.S. GAAP Revenue by Geography
Comparative breakdowns of the geographic regions are set forth in the following table:
Revenue by Geography
North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Other regions
% Revenue by Geography
North America
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Other regions
North America Revenue
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
For the Three Months Ended
(in millions)
$
$
141
$
213
$
(72) $
176
$
53
16
53
16
—
—
61
18
210
$
282
$
(72) $
255
$
37
(8)
(2)
27
67.1 %
25.2 %
7.7 %
75.5 %
18.8 %
5.7 %
100.0 %
100.0 %
69.0 %
23.9 %
7.1 %
100.0 %
Revenue in North America was $141 million, or 67.1% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, reflecting a decrease of
$72 million compared to $213 million, or 75.5% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. Revenue in North America
decreased compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 primarily due to a decrease of $71 million in revenue from the BBM
Consumer licensing arrangement, a decrease of $2 million in BlackBerry QNX revenue due to the reasons discussed above in
“Revenue by Product and Service”, a decrease of $2 million in BlackBerry AtHoc revenue and a decrease of $2 million related
to product revenue in BlackBerry Spark, partially offset by an increase of $10 million in IP licensing revenue due to the reasons
discussed above in “Revenue by Product and Service”.
Europe, Middle East and Africa Revenue
Revenue in Europe, Middle East and Africa was $53 million or 25.2% of revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, consistent
with $53 million or 18.8% of revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. An increase of $3 million related to the sale of
Secusmart solutions and an increase of $1 million related to product revenue in BlackBerry Spark were offset by a decrease of
$3 million in BlackBerry QNX revenue due to the reasons discussed above in “Revenue by Product and Service” and a decrease
of $1 million relating to professional services.
Other Regions Revenue
Revenue in other regions was $16 million or 7.7% of revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, consistent with $16 million or
5.7% of revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. An increase $2 million related to product revenue in BlackBerry Spark was
offset by a decrease of $2 million in revenue relating to professional services.
Gross Margin
Consolidated Gross Margin
Consolidated gross margin decreased by $60 million to approximately $152 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 from
$212 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in revenue from Licensing and
Other and BlackBerry QNX, partially offset by an increase in revenue from Secusmart due to the reasons discussed above in
“Revenue by Product and Service”, as the Company’s cost of sales does not significantly fluctuate based on business volume.
Consolidated Gross Margin Percentage
Consolidated gross margin percentage decreased by 2.8%, to approximately 72.4% of consolidated revenue in the fourth quarter
of fiscal 2021 from 75.2% of consolidated revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily due to a
lower gross margin contribution from Licensing and Other (at a higher relative gross margin percentage in each case) due to the
reasons discussed above in “Revenue by Product and Service” and a higher gross margin contribution from BlackBerry Spark
and Secusmart (at a lower relative gross margin percentage) due to the reasons discussed above in “Revenue by Product and
Service”.
50
Operating Expenses
The table below presents a comparison of research and development, selling, marketing and administration, and amortization
expenses for the quarter ended February 28, 2021, compared to the quarter ended November 30, 2020 and the quarter ended
February 29, 2020. The Company believes it is also meaningful to provide a sequential comparison between the fourth quarter
of fiscal 2021 and the third quarter of fiscal 2021.
Revenue
Operating expenses
Research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Amortization
Impairment of long-lived assets
Impairment of goodwill
Debentures fair value adjustment
Settlements, net
Total
Operating Expense as % of Revenue
Research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Amortization
Impairment of long-lived assets
Impairment of goodwill
Debentures fair value adjustment
Settlements, net
Total
For the Three Months Ended
(in millions)
February 28, 2021 November 30, 2020
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
210
$
218
$
282
$
255
$
48
92
45
22
—
258
—
465
22.9 %
43.8 %
21.4 %
10.5 %
— %
122.9 %
— %
221.4 %
53
83
45
—
—
95
—
60
113
48
5
22
5
—
52
110
31
—
—
(6)
(9)
$
276
$
253
$
178
24.3 %
38.1 %
20.6 %
— %
— %
43.6 %
— %
126.6 %
21.3 %
40.1 %
17.0 %
1.8 %
7.8 %
1.8 %
— %
89.7 %
20.4 %
43.1 %
12.2 %
— %
— %
(2.4) %
(3.5) %
69.8 %
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of selected U.S. GAAP-based measures to adjusted measures for the
three months ended February 28, 2021, November 30, 2020, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019.
U.S. GAAP Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased by $189 million, or 68.5%, to $465 million, or 221.4%% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2021, compared to $276 million, or 126.6% of revenue, in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. The increase was primarily
attributable to the difference between the Q4 Fiscal 2021 Debentures Fair Value Adjustment and Q3 Fiscal 2021 Debentures
Fair Value Adjustment of $163 million and an increase of $22 million in impairment of long-lived assets, partially offset by a
decrease of $10 million in variable incentive plan costs and a benefit of $6 million in CEWS funding.
Operating expenses increased by $212 million, or 83.8%, to $465 million, or 221.4%% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2021, compared to $253 million, or 89.7% of revenue, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The increase was primarily
attributable to the difference between the Q4 Fiscal 2021 Debentures Fair Value Adjustment and Q4 Fiscal 2020 Debentures
Fair Value Adjustment of $253 million and an increase of $17 million in impairment of long-lived assets, partially offset by $22
million in impairment of goodwill in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 which did not recur, a benefit of $16 million in CEWS
funding and a decrease of $9 million in salaries and benefits expenses.
Adjusted Operating Expenses
Adjusted operating expenses decreased by $2 million, or 1.4%, to $140 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to
$142 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2021. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $10 million in variable
incentive plan cost and a benefit of $6 million in CEWS funding, partially offset by an increase of $5 million in the Company’s
51
deferred share unit liability due to increases in the Company’s stock price, an increase of $4 million in consulting fees and an
increase of $2 million in legal costs.
Adjusted operating expenses decreased by $32 million, or 18.6%, to $140 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, compared
to $172 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to the benefit of $16 million in
CEWS funding, a decrease of $9 million in salaries and benefits expenses and a decrease of $8 million in variable incentive
plan costs, partially offset by an increase of $6 million in the Company’s deferred share unit liability due to increases in the
Company’s stock price and an increase of $3 million in legal costs.
Research and Development Expense
Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and benefits costs for technical personnel, new product
development costs, travel expenses, office and building costs, infrastructure costs and other employee costs.
Research and development expenses decreased by $12 million, or 20.0%, to $48 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021
compared to $60 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease was primarily attributable to a decrease of $8 million
in variable incentive plan costs and a decrease of $5 million in salaries and benefits expense, partially offset by an increase of
$2 million in infrastructure costs.
Adjusted research and development expenses decreased by $12 million, or 21.1%, to $45 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal
2021 compared to $57 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. This decrease was primarily due to the reasons described
above on a U.S. GAAP basis.
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 $21 million, or 18.6%, to $92 million in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2021 compared to $113 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. This decrease was primarily attributable to the
increase benefit of $16 million in CEWS funding, a decrease of $4 million in salaries and benefits expenses, a decrease of $3
million in sales incentive plan costs and a decrease of $3 million in travel expense, partially offset by an increase of $6 million
in the Company’s deferred share unit liability due to increases in the Company’s stock price and an increase of $3 million in
legal costs.
Adjusted selling, marketing and administration expenses decreased by $20 million, or 19.6%, to $82 million in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to $102 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. This decrease was primarily due to the
reasons described above on a U.S. GAAP basis.
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 28, 2021 compared to the quarter ended February 29,
2020 and for the quarter ended February 29, 2020 compared to the quarter ended February 28, 2019. Intangible assets are
comprised of patents, licenses and acquired technology.
For the Three Months Ended
(in millions)
Included in Operating Expense
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Total
$
$
4 $
41
45 $
4 $
44
48 $
— $
(3)
(3) $
4 $
27
31 $
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
Included in Cost of Sales
Property, plant and equipment
Intangible assets
Total
$
$
1 $
3
4 $
2 $
2
4 $
(1) $
1
— $
1 $
1
2 $
—
17
17
1
1
2
52
Amortization included in Operating Expense
Amortization expense relating to certain property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets decreased by $3 million to
$45 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to $48 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease in
amortization expense was due to the lower cost base of assets.
Adjusted amortization was $13 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, consistent with $13 million in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2020.
Amortization included in Cost of Sales
Amortization expense relating to certain property, plant and equipment and certain intangible assets employed in the
Company’s service operations were $4 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, consistent with $4 million in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2020.
Investment Loss, Net
Investment loss, net decreased by $1 million to nil in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, compared to investment loss, net of $1
million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease is primarily due a decrease in interest expense from the Debentures,
partially offset by a lower yield on cash and investments in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2020 and lower average cash and investment balances due to the redemption of the 3.75% Debentures in fiscal 2021 and
issuance of the 1.75% Debentures.
Income Taxes
For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company’s net effective income tax expense rate was approximately 1%, compared to
an effective income tax recovery rate of approximately 2% for the same period in the prior fiscal year. The Company’s net
effective income tax rate reflects the change in unrecognized income tax benefits and the fact that the Company has a
significant valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets, and in particular, 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 rate also reflects the geographic mix of earnings in jurisdictions with different income tax rates.
Net Loss
The Company’s net loss for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 was $315 million, or $0.56 basic and diluted loss per share on a
U.S. GAAP basis, reflecting an increase in net loss of $274 million compared to a net loss of $41 million, or $0.07 basic and
diluted loss per share, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The decrease in net income of $274 million was primarily due to an
increase in operating expenses due to the increase in debenture fair value adjustment, as described above in “Operating
Expenses”, a decrease in revenue as described above in “Revenue by Product and Service” and a decrease in gross margin
percentage as described above in “Consolidated Gross Margin Percentage”.
Adjusted net income was $16 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to $51 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal
2020, reflecting a decrease in adjusted net income of $35 million primarily due to a decrease in revenue as described above in
“Revenue by Product and Service” and a decrease in gross margin percentage, as described above in “Consolidated Gross
Margin Percentage” partially offset by a decrease in operating expenses, as described above in “Operating Expenses”.
The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 566 million common shares for basic and diluted loss per share for the
fourth quarter of fiscal 2021. The weighted average number of shares outstanding was 557 million common shares for basic and
diluted loss per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.
Financial Condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments decreased by $186 million to $804 million as at February 28, 2021 from $990 million
as at February 29, 2020, primarily due to the redemption of the 3.75% Debentures which was partially offset by the issuance of
the 1.75% Debentures. The majority of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents, and investments are denominated in U.S. dollars
as at February 28, 2021.
53
A comparative summary of cash, cash equivalents, and investments is set out below:
As at
(in millions)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
214 $
377 $
(163) $
548 $
(171)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
Restricted cash equivalents and restricted
short-term investments
Short-term investments
Long-term investments
28
525
37
49
532
32
(21)
(7)
5
34
368
55
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
$
804 $
990 $
(186) $
1,005 $
The table below summarizes the current assets, current liabilities, and working capital of the Company:
15
164
(23)
(15)
Current assets
Current liabilities
Working capital
Current Assets
As at
(in millions)
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
$
$
1,006 $
1,196 $
429
577 $
1,121
75 $
(190) $
(692)
502 $
1,233 $
510
723 $
(37)
611
(648)
The decrease in current assets of $190 million at the end of fiscal 2021 from the end of fiscal 2020 was primarily due to a
decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $163 million, accounts receivable, net of $33 million, decreases in short term
investments of $7 million and other current assets of $2 million partially offset by an increase in other receivables of $11
million and an increase income taxes receivable of $4 million.
At February 28, 2021, accounts receivable was $182 million, a decrease of $33 million from February 29, 2020. The decrease
was primarily due to lower revenue recognized over the three months ended February 28, 2021 compared to the three months
ended February 29, 2020 and an increase in the allowance for credit losses from the adoption of ASC 326, partially offset by an
increase in days sales outstanding to 85 days at the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 from 70 days at the end of the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2020 primarily due to a significant long-term receivable becoming current, the associated revenue for which
was recognized in the prior period, as well as extended payment terms resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
At February 28, 2021, other receivables increased by $11 million to $25 million compared to $14 million as at February 29,
2020. The increase was primarily due to an increase of $11 million relating to the CEWS program.
At February 28, 2021, other current assets was $50 million, a decrease of $2 million from February 29, 2020. The decrease is
primarily due to a decrease in deferred commission of $3 million partially offset by an increase in derivative assets of $2
million.
At February 28, 2021, income taxes receivable was $10 million, an increase of $4 million from February 29, 2020. The increase
was primarily due to the U.S. CARES Act resulting in an increase in taxes receivable from tax loss carry backs.
Current Liabilities
The decrease in current liabilities of $692 million at the end of fiscal 2021 from the end of fiscal 2020 was primarily due to a
decrease in Debentures of $606 million due to redemption of the 3.75% Debentures, a decrease in deferred revenue of $39
million, a decrease in accrued liabilities of $24 million, a decrease in income taxes payable of $12 million and a decrease in
accounts payable of $11 million.
Deferred revenue, current was $225 million, which reflects a decrease of $39 million compared to February 29, 2020 that was
attributable to a $39 million decrease in deferred revenue, current related to BlackBerry Spark and $10 million related to IP
licensing, partially offset by a $6 million increase in deferred revenue, current related to BlackBerry AtHoc.
As at February 28, 2021, accounts payable were $20 million, reflecting a decrease of $11 million from February 29, 2020,
which was primarily attributable to payments of accounts payable.
Accrued liabilities were $178 million, reflecting a decrease of $24 million compared to February 29, 2020, which was primarily
attributable to a $17 million decrease in variable incentive plan costs and a decrease of $6 million in payroll accrual, partially
offset by an increase of $8 million in the Company’s deferred share unit liability due to increases in the Company’s stock price.
54
Cash flows for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021 compared to the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020 were as follows:
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Change
February 28, 2019
Change
For the Fiscal Years Ended
(in millions)
Net cash flows provided by (used in):
Operating activities
Investing activities
Financing activities
$
Effect of foreign exchange gain (loss) on
cash and cash equivalents
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $
Operating Activities
82 $
(65)
(227)
2
26 $
(188)
7
(1)
56 $
123
(234)
3
100 $
(375)
5
(3)
(74)
187
2
2
(208) $
(156) $
(52) $
(273) $
117
The increase in net cash flows provided by operating activities of $56 million primarily reflects the net changes in working
capital.
Investing Activities
During the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, cash flows used in investing activities were $65 million and included cash used
in transactions involving the acquisitions of restricted short-term, short-term and long-term investments, net of the proceeds on
sale or maturity in the amount of $21 million, intangible asset additions of $36 million, and acquisitions of property, plant and
equipment of $8 million. During fiscal 2020, cash flows used in investing activities were $188 million and included cash flows
used in transactions involving the acquisitions of short-term and long-term investments, net of the proceeds on sale or maturity
in the amount of $145 million, intangible asset additions of $32 million, and acquisitions of property, plant and equipment of
$12 million, partially offset by proceeds received from the decrease in consideration paid for the Cylance acquisition following
finalizing the accounting for the acquisition.
Financing Activities
The decrease in cash flows used in financing activities was $234 million for fiscal 2021 due to the redemption of the 3.75%
Debentures on September 1, 2020, partially offset by the issuance of the 1.75% Debentures as described above in “Business
Overview - Debt Redemption and New Issuance” and an increase in common shares issued for stock options exercised and
employee share purchase plan.
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 28, 2021:
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
Debt interest and principal payments
Total
$
$
134 $
37 $
52 $
29 $
159
383
94
6
65
377
—
—
676 $
137 $
494 $
29 $
16
—
—
16
Purchase obligations and commitments amounted to approximately $676 million as at February 28, 2021, including future
principal and interest payments of $383 million on the 1.75% Debentures and operating lease obligations of $134 million. The
remaining balance consists of purchase orders for goods and services utilized in the operations of the Company. Total aggregate
contractual obligations as at February 28, 2021 decreased by approximately $337 million as compared to the February 29, 2020
balance of approximately $1,013 million, which was attributable to the redemption of the 3.75% Debentures on September 1,
2020, partially offset by the issuance of the 1.75% Debentures as described above in “Business Overview - Debt Redemption
and New Issuance”, a decrease in purchase obligations and commitments and a decrease in operating lease obligations.
55
Debenture Financing and Other Funding Sources
See Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Debentures.
The Company has $28 million in collateralized outstanding letters of credit in support of certain leasing arrangements entered
into in the ordinary course of business. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information concerning
the Company’s restricted cash and restricted short-term investments.
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments were approximately $804 million as at February 28, 2021. The Company’s
management remains focused on maintaining appropriate cash balances, efficiently managing working capital balances and
managing the liquidity needs of the business. 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
Exchange Act, or under applicable Canadian securities laws.
Accounting Policies and Critical Accounting Estimates
Accounting Policies
See Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of the Company’s significant accounting policies and the
adoption of the new standard in accounting for credit losses on financial instruments and goodwill.
See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted.
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, revenue and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.
Significant areas requiring the use of management estimates relate to revenue-related estimates including variable
consideration, standalone selling price (“SSP”), estimated customer life, if control of licenses to intellectual property has
transferred, the value of non-cash consideration, right of return and customer incentive commitments, fair value of reporting
units in relation to actual or potential goodwill impairment, fair value of the Debentures, fair value of share-based liability
award, fair value of long-lived assets in relation to actual or potential impairment, the Company’s long-lived asset groupings,
useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, provision for income taxes, realization of deferred income
tax assets and the related components of the valuation allowance, allowance for credit losses, incremental borrowing rate in
determining the present value of lease liabilities and the determination of reserves for various litigation claims. Actual results
could differ from these estimates, which were based upon circumstances that existed as of the date of the consolidated financial
statements, February 28, 2021. Subsequent to this date, it is reasonably possible that the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on
the health of the global economy could cause changes to estimates as a result of the financial circumstances of the markets in
which the Company operates and the price of the Company’s publicly traded equity in comparison to the Company’s carrying
value.
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 critical accounting
estimates made by the Company, during the past three fiscal years.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
The 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 value 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 Part 1,
Item 1A “Risk Factors - The market price of the Company’s common shares is volatile”. The current macroeconomic
environment and competitive dynamics continue to be challenging to the Company’s business and the Company cannot be
56
certain of the duration of these conditions and their potential impact on the Company’s future financial results and cash flows.
A 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 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.
Valuation of Goodwill Reporting Units
Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition price in a business combination 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 on December 31 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.
On March 1, 2020 the Company adopted ASU 2017-04 on the topic of Intangibles— Goodwill and Other (ASC 350). ASU
2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill, enabling the Company to carry out its goodwill impairment test in
one step, instead of two steps. In the test, the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, was compared with its
fair value. The estimated fair value was determined utilizing multiple approaches based on the nature of the reporting units
being valued. In its analysis, the Company utilized multiple valuation techniques, including the income approach using a
discounted future cash flow model, the market-based approach, and the asset value approach. The analysis requires significant
judgment, including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rates
of revenue growth for the Company’s reporting units, estimation of the useful life over which cash flows will occur, terminal
growth rates, profitability measures, and determination of the discount rates for the reporting units. The carrying value of the
Company’s assets was assigned to reporting units using reasonable methodologies based on the asset type. When the carrying
value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered to be impaired and written down to
its fair value. Different judgments could yield different results. Events and circumstances resulted in an additional goodwill
impairment test being conducted as at May 31, 2020, in addition to the Company’s annual impairment test.
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-04, the Company’s annual impairment test was carried out in two steps. In the first step, the
carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, was compared with its fair value. The estimated fair value was
determined utilizing multiple approaches based on the nature of the reporting units being valued. In its analysis, the Company
utilized multiple valuation techniques, including the income approach, discounted future cash flows, the market-based
approach, and the asset value approach. The analysis requires significant judgment, including estimation of future cash flows,
which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of revenue growth for our reporting units, estimation
of the useful life over which cash flows will occur, terminal growth rate, profitability measures, and determination of the
discount rates for the reporting units. The carrying value of the Company’s assets was assigned to reporting units using
reasonable methodologies based on the asset type. When the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value, goodwill
of the reporting unit was considered to be impaired and the second step was necessary. Different judgments could have yielded
different results. In fiscal 2020, the Company disaggregated one reporting unit and goodwill was assigned to the disaggregated
reporting units based upon the relative fair value allocation approach.
In the second step, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill was compared with its carrying value to measure the
amount of the impairment loss, if any. The second step involved significant judgment in the selection of assumptions necessary
to arrive at an implied fair value of goodwill. Different judgments could have yielded different results.
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
57
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 - Fiscal year ended February 28, 2021 compared to fiscal year ended February 29, 2020 -
Income Taxes” and “Results of Operations - Three months ended February 28, 2021 compared to three months ended
February 29, 2020 - Income Taxes”.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s contracts with customers often include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer.
Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for
separately versus together may require significant judgment.
Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in the Company’s judgment, it is probable that a significant future
reversal of cumulative revenue recognized under the contract will not occur. Any estimates, including any constraints on
variable consideration, are evaluated at each reporting period. Judgment is required to determine the fair value of non-cash
consideration at contract inception. The Company uses an independent third-party valuator for the fair value of non-cash
consideration.
Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation. The Company’s products and services
often have observable SSP when the Company sells a promised product or service separately to similar customers. A
contractually stated price or list price for a good or service may be the SSP of that good or service. However, in instances where
SSP is not directly observable, the Company determines the SSP by maximizing observable inputs and using an adjusted
market assessment approach using information that may include market conditions and other observable inputs from the
Company’s pricing team, including historical SSP.
Judgment is required to determine in certain agreements if the Company is the principal or agent in the arrangement. The
Company considers factors such as, but not limited to, which party can direct the usage of the product or service, which party
obtains substantially all the remaining benefits and which party has the ability to establish the selling price.
Significant judgment is required to determine the estimated customer life used in perpetual license contracts that require access
to the Company’s proprietary secure network infrastructure to function. The Company uses historical experience regarding the
length of the technology upgrade cycle and the expected life of the product to draw this conclusion.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
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 revenue in fiscal 2021 was transacted in U.S. dollars. Portions of the revenue were
denominated in Canadian dollars, euros and British pounds. Expenses, consisting mainly of salaries and certain other operating
costs, were incurred primarily in Canadian dollars, but were also incurred in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds. At February
28, 2021, approximately 20% of cash and cash equivalents, 25% of accounts receivables and 34% of accounts payable were
denominated in foreign currencies (February 29, 2020 – 12%, 17% and 17%, 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. If overall foreign currency exchanges rates to the U.S. dollar uniformly
weakened or strengthened by 10% related to the Company’s net monetary asset or liability balances in foreign currencies at
February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 (after hedging activities), the impact to the Company would be immaterial.
The Company regularly reviews its currency forward and option positions, both on a stand-alone basis and in conjunction with
its underlying foreign currency exposures. Given the effective horizons of the Company’s risk management activities and the
anticipatory nature of the exposures, there can be no assurance these positions will offset more than a portion of the financial
impact resulting from movements in currency exchange rates. Further, the recognition of the gains and losses related to these
instruments may not coincide with the timing of gains and losses related to the underlying economic exposures and, therefore,
may adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and operating results.
58
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 as described in Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 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 Debentures. The Company does not currently utilize interest rate derivative instruments to hedge its
investment portfolio or changes in the market value of the Debentures.
Credit and Customer Concentration
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 credit losses (“ACL”) that corresponds to the specific credit
risk of its customers, historical trends and economic circumstances. The ACL as at February 28, 2021 was $10 million
(February 29, 2020 - $9 million). There was one customer that comprised more than 10% of accounts receivable as at February
28, 2021 (February 29, 2020 - two customers that comprised more than 10%). During fiscal 2021, the percentage of the
Company’s receivable balance that was past due increased by 1.6% compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. 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 distributor partners (such as resellers and network carriers) exists. The
occurrence of such delays or challenges in obtaining timely payments could negatively impact the Company’s liquidity and
financial condition.
The Company’s sales to Teletry represented approximately 3% of the Company’s revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021
(fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 - 18%) and 22% of the Company’s revenue in fiscal 2021 (fiscal 2020 - 13%). No other individual
customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 or in fiscal 2021 and
fiscal 2020. One other individual customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s revenue in the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2020. In fiscal 2018, the Company entered into a strategic licensing agreement with Teletry under which Teletry may
sublicense a broad range of the Company’s patents to global smartphone manufacturers. The Company also continues to
operate its own licensing program outside of Teletry’s sublicensing rights.
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. During fiscal 2021, the Company recorded nil in impairment charges related to private equity investments without
readily determinable fair value (fiscal 2020 - $3 million and fiscal 2019 - nil).
See Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s credit risk as it
pertains to its foreign exchange derivative counterparties.
59
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page No.
Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
Consolidated Balance Sheets
For the Years Ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
For the Years Ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For the Years Ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the Years Ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
61
65
66
67
68
69
70
60
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of BlackBerry Limited
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of BlackBerry Limited and its subsidiaries (together,
the Company) as of February 28, 2021 and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive
income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year then ended, including the related notes (collectively
referred to as the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company's internal control over
financial reporting as of February 28, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework
(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of the Company as of February 28, 2021 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the
year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in
our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of
February 28, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the
COSO.
Change in Accounting Principles
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it
accounts for the allowance for credit losses as of March 1, 2020 and the manner in which it accounts for leases as
of March 1, 2019.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective
internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial
reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our
responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's
internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the
Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with
respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations
of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of
material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting
was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material
misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures
that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts
and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of
the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an
understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and
testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our
audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We
believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
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 generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting
includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail,
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable
61
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 (iii) 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 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.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated
financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i)
relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our
especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter
in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by
communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the
accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Goodwill impairment test
As described in Notes 1, 3 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s goodwill balance was
$849 million as of February 28, 2021. Management conducts a goodwill impairment test as of December 31 of each
year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. The
impairment test is performed in one step by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value,
including goodwill. When the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill of the reporting unit is
considered to be impaired and written down to its fair value. As disclosed by management, during the year ended
February 28, 2021, as a result of the deterioration in economic conditions caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic
and its impact on the Company’s reporting units, and the decline of the trading value of the Company’s capital stock
below the Company’s consolidated carrying value, management determined that it was more likely than not that the
fair value of at least one of its reporting units was lower than its carrying amount after including goodwill. As a result,
management completed an analysis of the fair values of its reporting units to compare against their respective
carrying values as of May 31, 2020. Based on the results of the goodwill impairment test, the Company recorded
total goodwill impairment charges of $594 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, relating to the BlackBerry Spark
reporting unit. No additional goodwill impairment was identified during the Company’s annual impairment test as of
the annual test date of December 31, 2020. The estimated fair values of reporting units were determined utilizing
multiple valuation techniques, which included the income approach using a discounted future cash flow model, the
market-based approach, and the asset value approach. As disclosed by management, the analysis requires
significant judgment in estimating future cash flows, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its
short-term and potential long-term impacts to the Company’s business and assumptions, including the long-term
rates of revenue growth for the reporting units, terminal growth rates, profitability measures and determination of the
discount rates for the reporting units.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the goodwill impairment
test is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management when determining the fair values of the
reporting units, including the short-term and potential long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to the
Company’s business; (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and
evaluating management’s significant assumptions related to estimated future cash flows including long-term rates of
revenue growth, terminal growth rates, profitability measures, and the discount rates; and (iii) the audit effort
involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our
overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of
controls relating to management’s goodwill impairment test, including controls over the determination of the fair
values of the Company’s reporting units. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing management’s
process for determining the fair values of the Company’s reporting units; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the
discounted future cash flow models; (iii) testing the completeness and accuracy of underlying data used in the
62
discounted future cash flow models; and (iv) evaluating the significant assumptions used by management related to
the estimated future cash flows, long-term rates of revenue growth, terminal growth rates, profitability measures,
and the discount rates. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to the estimated future cash flows including
long-term rates of revenue growth and profitability measures involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by
management were reasonable considering consistency with (i) current and past performance of each reporting unit
(ii) external market and industry data; and (iii) with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with
specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the (i) appropriateness of the Company’s
discounted cash flow models and (ii) reasonableness of the discount rates and terminal growth rates.
Revenue recognition – Intellectual property licensing
As discussed in Notes 1 and 13 to the consolidated financial statements, $272 million of the Company’s total
revenues for the year ended February 28, 2021 was generated from Licensing and Other, which includes revenue
from intellectual property licensing arrangements. Management examines intellectual property agreements on a
case-by-case basis to determine whether they contain distinct performance obligations with standalone functionality
and whether the Company is the principal or agent in the transaction. As disclosed by management, significant
judgment is applied in assessing contractual terms which could impact the timing and amount of revenue
recognition.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the Revenue recognition –
Intellectual property licensing is a critical audit matter are (i) significant judgment by management in assessing
contractual terms which could impact the timing and amount of revenue recognition; and (ii) a high degree of auditor
judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating evidence relating to the timing and
amount of revenue recognition.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our
overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of
controls relating to the revenue recognition process, including controls related to the assessment of contractual
terms in the intellectual property agreements which impact on the timing and amount of revenue recognition. These
procedures also included, among others, (i) testing the completeness and accuracy of management’s identification
of contractual terms by examining intellectual property agreements on a test basis, and (ii) testing management's
process for determining the appropriate amount and timing of revenue recognition based on the contractual terms
identified in the intellectual property agreements on a test basis.
/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants, Licensed Public Accountants
Toronto, Canada
March 31, 2021
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2020.
63
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of BlackBerry Limited:
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of BlackBerry Limited (the Company) as of February 29, 2020,
the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of
the two years in the period ended February 29, 2020, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the consolidated financial
statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
the Company at February 29, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period
ended February 29, 2020, in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered
with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities
laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement,
whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the
consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such
procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
We served as the Company’s auditor from 1997 to 2020.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants
Waterloo, Canada
April 6, 2020
64
BlackBerry Limited
Incorporated under the Laws of Ontario
(United States dollars, in millions)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
Current
Cash and cash equivalents (note 3)
Short-term investments (note 3)
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $10 and $9, respectively (note 2 and note 4)
Other receivables
Income taxes receivable
Other current assets (note 4)
Restricted cash equivalents and restricted short-term investments (note 3)
Long-term investments (note 3)
Other long-term assets (note 4)
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net (note 12)
Property, plant and equipment, net (note 4)
Goodwill (note 4)
Intangible assets, net (note 4)
Liabilities
Current
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities (note 4)
Income taxes payable (note 6)
Debentures (note 7)
Deferred revenue, current (note 13)
Deferred revenue, non-current (note 13)
Operating lease liabilities (note 12)
Other long-term liabilities (note 4)
Long-term debentures (note 7)
Commitments and contingencies (note 11)
Shareholders’ equity
Capital stock and additional paid-in capital
As at
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
$
214 $
525
182
25
10
50
377
532
215
14
6
52
1,006
1,196
28
37
16
63
48
849
771
$
$
2,818 $
20 $
178
6
—
225
429
69
90
6
720
1,314
49
32
65
124
70
1,437
915
3,888
31
202
18
606
264
1,121
109
120
9
—
1,359
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 - 565,505,328 voting common shares (February 29, 2020 - 554,199,016 )
Deficit
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (note 10)
—
—
2,823
(1,306)
(13)
1,504
$
2,818 $
2,760
(198)
(33)
2,529
3,888
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
On behalf of the Board:
John S. Chen
Director
Barbara Stymiest
Director
65
BlackBerry Limited
(United States dollars, in millions)
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Balance as at February 28, 2018
Net income
Other comprehensive loss
Cumulative impact of adoption of ASC 606
Cumulative impact of adoption of ASU 2016-01
Stock-based compensation (note 8)
Value of pre-combination service related to
Replacement Awards included in purchase
consideration (note 8)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options (note 8)
Exchange shares related to Cylance acquisition
Employee share purchase plan (note 8)
Balance as at February 28, 2019
Net loss
Other comprehensive loss
Cumulative impact of adoption of ASC 842
Stock-based compensation (note 8)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options (note 8)
Employee share purchase plan (note 8)
Balance as at February 29, 2020
Net loss
Other comprehensive income
Cumulative impact of adoption of ASC 326
Stock-based compensation (note 8)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options (note 8)
Employee share purchase plan (note 8)
Capital Stock
and Additional
Paid-in Capital
Deficit
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
Total
$
2,560 $
(45) $
(10) $
2,505
—
—
—
67
21
1
35
4
2,688
—
—
—
63
3
6
2,760
—
—
—
44
12
7
93
—
(86)
6
—
—
—
—
—
(32)
(152)
—
(14)
—
—
—
(198)
(1,104)
—
(4)
—
—
—
—
(4)
—
(6)
—
—
—
—
—
(20)
—
(13)
—
—
—
—
(33)
—
20
—
—
—
—
93
(4)
(86)
67
21
1
35
4
2,636
(152)
(13)
(14)
63
3
6
2,529
(1,104)
20
(4)
44
12
7
Balance as at February 28, 2021
$
2,823 $
(1,306) $
(13) $
1,504
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
66
BlackBerry Limited
(United States dollars, in millions, except per share data)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenue (note 13)
Cost of sales
Gross margin
Operating expenses
Research and development
Selling, marketing and administration
Amortization
Impairment of goodwill (note 3)
Impairment of long-lived assets (note 3)
Debentures fair value adjustment (note 7)
Settlements, net (note 11)
Operating income (loss)
Investment income (loss), net
Income (loss) before income taxes
Provision for (recovery of) income taxes (note 6)
Net income (loss)
Earnings (loss) per share (note 9)
Basic
Diluted
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
893 $
250
643
1,040 $
277
763
215
344
182
594
43
372
—
1,750
(1,107)
(6)
(1,113)
(9)
259
493
194
22
10
(66)
—
912
(149)
1
(148)
4
$
$
$
(1,104) $
(152) $
(1.97) $
(1.97) $
(0.27) $
(0.32) $
904
206
698
219
409
136
—
—
(117)
(9)
638
60
17
77
(16)
93
0.17
0.00
67
BlackBerry Limited
(United States dollars, in millions)
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net income (loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale
investments (note 10)
Net change in fair value and amounts reclassified to net loss from
derivatives designated as cash flow hedges during the year (note 10)
Foreign currency translation adjustment
Net change in fair value from instrument-specific credit risk on the
Debentures during the year (note 7)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Comprehensive income (loss)
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
(1,104) $
(152) $
93
—
2
5
13
20
(2)
(1)
(3)
(7)
(13)
$
(1,084) $
(165) $
1
1
(6)
—
(4)
89
68
BlackBerry Limited
(United States dollars, in millions)
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
(1,104) $
(152) $
93
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization
Deferred income taxes
Stock-based compensation
Impairment of goodwill
Impairment of long-lived assets
Non-cash consideration received from contracts with customers
Debentures fair value adjustment (note 7)
Other long-term liabilities
Operating leases
Other
Net changes in working capital items
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
Other receivables
Income taxes receivable
Other assets
Accounts payable
Accrued liabilities
Income taxes payable
Deferred revenue
Net cash provided by 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 restricted short-term investments
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
Payment of finance lease liability
Repurchase of 3.75% Debentures
Issuance of 1.75% Debentures
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Effect of foreign exchange gain (loss) on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and
restricted cash equivalents
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents during
the period
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of period
198
(3)
44
594
43
—
372
(3)
(4)
1
29
(11)
(4)
55
(11)
(20)
(15)
(79)
82
(5)
—
(8)
—
(36)
—
(24)
(1,039)
1,047
(65)
19
(1)
(610)
365
(227)
2
(208)
426
212
—
63
22
10
(8)
(66)
2
(9)
10
18
5
3
(35)
(17)
(15)
1
(18)
26
(1)
19
(12)
—
(32)
1
—
(1,180)
1,017
(188)
9
(2)
—
—
7
(1)
(156)
582
149
(25)
67
—
—
(46)
(117)
(12)
—
6
(9)
52
17
(1)
(15)
(21)
(2)
(36)
100
(2)
2
(17)
1
(32)
(1,402)
—
(2,895)
3,970
(375)
5
—
—
—
5
(3)
(273)
855
582
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents, end of period
$
218 $
426 $
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
69
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”) provides intelligent security software and services to enterprises and governments
around the world. The Company secures more than 500 million endpoints including more than 175 million cars on the
road today. Based in Waterloo, Ontario, the Company leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning to deliver
innovative solutions in the areas of cybersecurity, safety and data privacy, and is a leader in the areas of endpoint security,
endpoint management, encryption, and embedded systems. The Company’s common shares trade under the ticker symbol
“BB” on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange.
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.
The Company operates as a single operating segment. For additional information concerning the Company’s segment
reporting, see Note 13.
Risks and Uncertainties
In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) as a global pandemic
and extraordinary actions have been taken by international, federal, state, provincial and local governmental authorities to
contain and combat the spread of COVID-19 in regions throughout the world. The COVID-19 pandemic and related
public health measures, including orders to shelter-in-place, travel restrictions and mandated business closures, have
adversely affected workforces, organizations, consumers and economies leading to an economic downturn and increased
market volatility.
In fiscal 2021, the economic downturn and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures undertaken
to contain its spread negatively affected the Company’s QNX automotive software business and caused volatility in
demand for the Company’s products and services, adversely affected the ability of the Company’s sales and professional
services teams to work with customers, impacted spending from new customers and increased sales cycle times. The
uncertainty also resulted in the Company making significant judgments related to its estimates and assumptions
concerning the impairment of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets, certain operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”)
assets and associated property, plant and equipment, and concerning the collectability of receivables.
As of the date of issuance of the financial statements, the Company is not aware of any additional events or circumstances
which would require it to update its estimates, judgments, or revise the carrying value of its assets or liabilities, other than
the COVID-19 pandemic as discussed above and below in Note 3. These estimates may change, as new events occur and
additional information is obtained, and such changes will be recognized in the consolidated financial statements as soon as
they become known. Actual results could differ from these estimates and any such differences may be material to the
Company’s financial statements.
Although the Company experienced higher Software & Services revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2021 compared to
the first quarter of fiscal 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic first materially negatively impacted the Company’s
operations, and observed a partial recovery in global automotive production volumes by the end of the fiscal year, the
COVID-19 pandemic and related global chip shortage have had and, in fiscal 2022, may continue to have a material
adverse impact on the Company’s QNX automotive software business in particular and on the Company’s business,
results of operations and financial condition on a consolidated basis. The Company continues to evaluate the current and
potential impact of the pandemic on its business, results of operations and consolidated financial statements, including the
potential impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company does not expect the COVID-19
pandemic and its related economic impact to materially adversely affect its liquidity position.
The ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s operational and financial performance will depend on,
among other things, the pandemic’s duration and severity, the governmental restrictions that may be sustained or imposed
in response to the pandemic, the effectiveness of actions taken to contain or mitigate the pandemic (including the
availability and distribution of vaccines), the impact of the global chip shortage and global economic conditions. The
long-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s business may not be fully reflected until future periods.
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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
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 revenue-related estimates including
variable consideration, standalone selling price (“SSP”), estimated customer life, if control of licenses to intellectual
property has transferred, the value of non-cash consideration, right of return and customer incentive commitments, fair
value of reporting units in relation to actual or potential goodwill impairment, fair value of the Debentures (as defined in
Note 7), fair value of share-based liability award, fair value of long-lived assets in relation to actual or potential
impairment, the Company’s long-lived asset groupings, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible
assets, provision for income taxes, realization of deferred income tax assets and the related components of the valuation
allowance, allowance for credit losses, incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease liabilities and
the determination of reserves for various litigation claims. Actual results could differ from these estimates, which were
based upon circumstances that existed as of the date of the consolidated financial statements, February 28, 2021.
Subsequent to this date, it is reasonably possible that the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the health of the global
economy could cause changes to estimates as a result of the financial circumstances of the markets in which the Company
operates and the price of the Company’s publicly traded equity in comparison to the Company’s carrying value.
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 sheet dates, and revenue and expenses are translated at the rates of exchange
prevailing when the transactions occurred. Remeasurement 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 sheet dates. Revenue and
expenses are translated using daily 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 loss (“AOCL”).
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.
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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
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
Accounting Standards Codification 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“ASC 326”)
On March 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASC 326 using the modified retrospective method. See Note 2. The accounts
receivable balance reflects invoiced and accrued revenue and is presented net of an allowance for credit losses. The
Company expects the majority of its accounts receivable balances to continue to come from large customers as it sells the
majority of its software products and services through resellers and other distribution partners, rather than directly. The
Company establishes current expected credit losses (“CECL”) for pools of assets with similar risk characteristics by
evaluating historical levels of credit losses, current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay, and
creditworthiness of significant customers. When specific customers are identified as no longer sharing the same risk
profile as their current pool, they are removed from the pool and evaluated separately. 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 credit loss 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 receivable balances could be further adjusted
For periods prior to the adoption of ASC 326, 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 expected the majority of its accounts receivable balances to
continue to come from large customers as it has sold and continues to sell, the majority of its software products and
services through resellers and other distribution partners, rather than directly. The Company evaluated 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, monitored the
financial condition of its customers and reviewed the credit history of each new customer. When the Company became
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 recorded 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 changed, the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of
accounts receivable balances may have been further adjusted.
Investments
The Company’s cash equivalents and investments, other than publicly issued equity securities and private equity
investments without readily determinable fair value, consist of money market and other debt securities, which are
classified as available-for-sale for accounting purposes and are carried at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses, net of
related income taxes, are recorded in AOCL 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. The Company does not exercise significant influence with respect
to any of these investments. Publicly issued equity securities are recorded at fair value and revalued at each reporting
period with changes in fair value recorded through investment income. The Company elects to record private equity
investments without readily determinable fair value at cost minus impairment, and adjusted for any changes resulting from
observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer. The Company
reassesses each reporting period that its private equity investments without readily determinable fair value continue to
qualify for this treatment.
Investments with maturities at the 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), public equity investments and any investments
that the Company intends to hold for less than one year are classified as short-term investments. Investments with
maturities in excess of one year or investments that the Company does not intend to sell are classified as long-term
investments.
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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
Allowance for Credit Losses on Available-for-sale Debt Securities
On March 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASC 326 on a modified retrospective basis. See Note 2. Under ASC 326, at
each reporting period, the Company evaluates its available-for-sale debt securities at the individual security level to
determine whether there is a decline in the fair value below its amortized cost basis (an impairment). In circumstances
where the Company intends to sell, or is more likely than not required to sell, the security before it recovers its amortized
cost basis, the difference between fair value and amortized cost is recognized as a loss in the consolidated statement of
operations, with a corresponding write-down of the security’s amortized cost. In circumstances where neither condition
exists, the Company then evaluates whether a decline is due to credit-related factors. The factors considered in
determining whether a credit loss exists can include the extent to which fair value is less than the amortized cost basis,
changes in the credit quality of the underlying issuer, credit ratings actions, as well as other factors. To determine the
portion of a decline in fair value that is credit-related, the Company compares the present value of the expected cash flows
of the security discounted at the security’s effective interest rate to the amortized cost basis of the security. A credit-
related impairment is limited to the difference between fair value and amortized cost, and recognized as an allowance for
credit loss on the consolidated balance sheet with a corresponding adjustment to net income. Any remaining decline in fair
value that is non-credit related is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. Improvements in expected
cash flows due to improvements in credit are recognized through reversal of the credit loss and corresponding reduction in
the allowance for credit loss.
Prior to the adoption of ASC 326, the Company assessed individual investments that were in an unrealized loss position to
determine whether the unrealized loss was other-than-temporary. The Company made 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 had 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 occurred and that decline in value was considered to be other-than-temporary, an
impairment charge was 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 sheet date of the reporting period for which the assessment was
made. The fair value of the investment then became the new cost basis of the investment.
If a debt security’s market value was below its amortized cost and either the Company intended to sell the security or it
was more likely than not that the Company would be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery, the
Company recorded 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 did not intend to sell and it was
not more likely than not that the entity would be required to sell the security before its anticipated recovery, the Company
separated the other-than-temporary impairment into the amount representing the credit loss and the amount related to all
other factors. The Company recorded the other-than-temporary impairment related to the credit loss as a charge to
investment income, and the remaining other-than-temporary impairment was recorded as a component of AOCL.
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 derivative’s gain or loss is initially reported as a
component of AOCL, net of tax, and subsequently reclassified into income in the same period or periods in which the
hedged item affects 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
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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
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 AOCL 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 impact to income as a result of changes in the U.S. dollar value of the
associated asset, liability or forecasted transaction.
Property, plant and equipment, net
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is provided using the
following rates and methods:
Buildings, leasehold improvements and other
Straight-line over terms between 5 and 15 years
BlackBerry operations and other information technology
Straight-line over terms between 3 and 5 years
Manufacturing, repair and research and development
equipment
Straight-line over terms between 1 and 5 years
Furniture and fixtures
Declining balance at 20% per annum
For amortization on ROU assets, see the Company’s accounting policy on leases below and Note 12 for the remaining
lease terms of leases.
Leases
On March 1, 2019, the Company adopted the new standard on leases, Accounting Standards Codification 842 (“ASC
842”). Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the future
minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide
an implicit discount rate, the Company primarily uses its incremental borrowing rate, based on the information available
at the commencement date of the lease, in determining the present value of future payments. The Company’s incremental
borrowing rate requires significant judgment and is determined based on the rate of interest that the Company would have
to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term in a similar economic
environment. The operating lease ROU asset includes any lease payments made, lease incentives and initial direct costs
incurred. The lease terms include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company
will exercise that option. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease
term. In some cases, the Company has index-based variable lease payments for which an estimated rate is applied to the
initial lease payment to determine future lease payment amounts.
The Company has building, car and data center lease agreements with lease and non-lease components that are accounted
for separately. For lease terms of 12 months or less on the commencement date, the Company does not apply the ASC 842
recognition requirements and recognizes the lease payments as lease cost on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Prior to the adoption of ASC 842, the Company classified leases as either capital or operating leases. Capital leases were
capitalized on the consolidated balance sheet and reported on the consolidated statement of operations. Operating leases
were considered off-balance sheet transactions and expensed as incurred.
See Note 12 for additional information related to the Company’s leases.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the acquisition price in a business combination 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 on December 31 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.
On March 1, 2020 the Company adopted ASU 2017-04 on the topic of Intangibles— Goodwill and Other (ASC 350).
ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill, enabling the Company to carry out its goodwill
74
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
impairment test in one step, instead of two steps. In the test, the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill,
was compared with its fair value. The estimated fair value was determined utilizing multiple approaches based on the
nature of the reporting units being valued. In its analysis, the Company utilized multiple valuation techniques, including
the income approach using a discounted future cash flow model, the market-based approach, and the asset value approach.
The analysis requires significant judgment, including estimation of future cash flows, which is dependent on internal
forecasts, estimation of the long-term rates of revenue growth for the Company’s reporting units, estimation of the useful
life over which cash flows will occur, terminal growth rates, profitability measures, and determination of the discount
rates for the reporting units. The carrying value of the Company’s assets was assigned to reporting units using reasonable
methodologies based on the asset type. When the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, goodwill of the
reporting unit is considered to be impaired and written down to its fair value. Different judgments could yield different
results. Events and circumstances resulted in an additional goodwill impairment test being conducted as at May 31, 2020,
in addition to the Company’s annual impairment test; see Note 3.
Prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-04, the Company’s annual impairment test was carried out in two steps. In the first
step, the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, was compared with its fair value. The estimated fair
value was determined utilizing multiple approaches based on the nature of the reporting units being valued. In its analysis,
the Company utilized multiple valuation techniques, including the income approach, discounted future cash flows, the
market-based approach, and the asset value approach. The analysis requires significant judgment, including estimation of
future cash flows, which is dependent on internal forecasts, estimation of the long-term rate of revenue growth for our
reporting units, estimation of the useful life over which cash flows will occur, terminal growth rate, profitability measures,
and determination of the discount rates for the reporting units. The carrying value of the Company’s assets was assigned
to reporting units using reasonable methodologies based on the asset type. When the carrying value of a reporting unit
exceeded its fair value, goodwill of the reporting unit was considered to be impaired and the second step was necessary.
Different judgments could have yielded different results. In fiscal 2020, the Company disaggregated one reporting unit
and goodwill was assigned to the disaggregated reporting units based upon the relative fair value allocation approach.
In the second step, the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill was compared with its carrying value to measure
the amount of the impairment loss, if any. The second step involved significant judgment in the selection of assumptions
necessary to arrive at an implied fair value of goodwill. Different judgments could have yielded different results.
Using the impaired reporting units’ fair value determined in step one as the acquisition prices in hypothetical acquisitions
of the reporting units, the implied fair values of goodwill were calculated as the residual amount of the acquisition price
after allocations made to the fair values of net assets, including working capital, property, plant and equipment and both
recognized and unrecognized intangible assets.
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 29 years
Between 2 and 10 years
Acquired technology consists of intangible assets acquired through business acquisitions. Intellectual property consists of
patents (including purchased and internally generated patents and maintenance fees). 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, intangible assets with finite
useful lives and ROU assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value
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
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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
history or forecast 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.
The LLA impairment test requires the Company to identify its asset groups and test impairment of each asset group
separately. 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.
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 value of its net assets. If the net cash flows of the asset group exceed the carrying value of its net
assets, LLA are not considered to be impaired. If the carrying value 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 value 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 separable asset cannot be reduced to a value lower than its individual fair value. The total impairment
amount allocated is recognized as a non-cash impairment loss.
The Company reviews any changes in events and circumstances that have occurred on a quarterly basis to determine if
indicators of LLA impairment exist.
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.
Convertible debentures
The Company elected to measure its outstanding convertible debentures (collectively, the “Debentures”, as defined in
Note 7) 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 associated with non-credit components are
recognized in income, while the change in fair value associated with credit components is recognized in AOCL.
3.75% Debentures
The fair value of the 3.75% Debentures (as defined in Note 7) was determined using the significant inputs of principal
value, interest rate spreads and curves, embedded call option prices, observable trades of the Debentures, the market price
and volatility of the Company’s listed common shares and the Company’s implicit credit spread.
1.75% Debentures
The fair value of the 1.75% Debentures (as defined in Note 7) has been determined using the significant inputs of
principal value, interest rate spreads and curves, any observable trades of the Debentures that occurred during the period,
the market price and volatility of the Company’s listed common shares, and the significant level 3 inputs related to credit
spread and the implied discount of the 1.75% Debentures at issuance.
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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 recognition
The Company recognizes revenue when control of the promised products or services are transferred to customers, in an
amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products and services.
Revenue is recognized through the application of the following steps: (i) identification of the contract, or contracts, with a
customer; (ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) determination of the transaction price; (iv)
allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or
as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation.
A contract exists with a customer when both parties have approved the contract, commitments to performance and rights
of each party (including payment terms) are identified, the contract has commercial substance and collection of
substantially all consideration is probable for goods and services that are transferred.
Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods and services that will be transferred to
the customer that are both capable of being distinct, whereby the customer can benefit from the good or service either on
its own or together with other available resources, and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of
the good or service is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. If these criteria are not met, the promised
goods and services are accounted for as a combined performance obligation.
The transaction price is determined based on the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for
transferring promised goods and services to the customer, excluding amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as
sales taxes. Determining the transaction price requires significant judgment. To the extent the transaction price includes
variable consideration, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration that should be included in the
transaction price utilizing either the expected value method or the most likely amount method depending on the nature of
the variable consideration. Non-cash consideration received is measured at fair value at contract inception. The estimated
fair value is determined utilizing multiple valuation techniques, including the discounted future cash flows and the
market-based approach.
Contracts that contain multiple performance obligations require an allocation of the transaction price to each performance
obligation based on a relative SSP. The Company’s method for allocation of consideration to be received and its method
of estimation of SSP are described below under “Significant judgments”.
For each of the Company’s major categories of revenue, the following paragraphs describe the applicable specific revenue
recognition policy, and when the Company satisfies its performance obligations.
Nature of products and services
The Company is organized and managed as one operating segment. The Company has multiple products and services
from which it derives revenue, which are structured in two groups: Software and Services, and Licensing and Other.
Software and Services
Software and Services includes revenue from the Company’s BlackBerry Spark® software platform and BlackBerry IoT
Solutions. Software and Services revenue is generated predominantly through software licenses, commonly bundled with
support, maintenance and professional services.
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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
BlackBerry Spark
The BlackBerry Spark platform is a comprehensive offering of security software products and services, including the
BlackBerry Spark® Unified Endpoint Security Suite and the BlackBerry Spark® Unified Endpoint Management Suite,
which are also marketed together as the BlackBerry Spark® Suites, offering the Company’s broadest range of tailored
cybersecurity and endpoint management options.
The BlackBerry Spark UES Suite includes revenue from the Company’s Cylance® artificial intelligence and machine
learning-based platform consisting of BlackBerry® Protect, BlackBerry® Optics, BlackBerry® Persona, BlackBerry®
Guard managed services and other cybersecurity applications. The Company generates software license revenue from
term subscription products, which includes technical support, and any updates and upgrades. The Company also offers the
BlackBerry Cyber Suite, which is a UEM-agnostic version of the BlackBerry UES Suite which will be able to integrate
with UEM software from other vendors.
The Company recognizes the license revenue over the term of the contract beginning on the commencement date of each
contract, the date that services are made available to customers. The Company’s software license and updates, to the
extent made available, are not distinct in the context of the contract as they are critical to the ongoing usability of the
solution and so fulfill a single promise to the customer in the contract. The typical subscription term is one to three years.
The technical support is recognized over the support period, which will normally be the same term as the software license.
Revenue for hourly rate professional services arrangements is recognized as services are performed and revenue for fixed
fee professional services is recognized on a proportional performance basis as the services are performed.
BlackBerry Spark® UEM Suite includes the Company’s BlackBerry® UEM, BlackBerry® Dynamics™ and
BlackBerry® Workspaces solutions. The Company generates software license revenue from both term subscription and
perpetual license contracts, both of which are commonly bundled with support, maintenance and professional services.
If the licensed software in a contract requires access to the Company’s proprietary secure network infrastructure in order
to function, revenue from term subscription contracts is recognized over time, ratably over the term, and revenue from
perpetual license contracts is recognized over time, ratably over the expected customer life, which in most cases the
Company has estimated to be four years. If access to the Company’s proprietary network infrastructure is not required for
the software to function, revenue associated with both term subscription and perpetual licenses contracts is recognized at a
point in time upon delivery of the software. Generally, most of the Company’s enterprise software products sold require
access to the Company’s proprietary secure network infrastructure in order to function, and therefore the associated
revenue is recognized over time, ratably over either the subscription term or expected customer life as described above.
BlackBerry IoT Solutions
BlackBerry IoT Solutions includes revenue from BlackBerry Technology Solutions, which consists of BlackBerry®
QNX®, BlackBerry Certicom®, BlackBerry Radar® and other IoT applications, and from Secure Communications which
consists of BlackBerry® AtHoc® and SecuSUITE.
BlackBerry® QNX® software license revenue from both term subscription and perpetual contracts is recognized at a
point in time when the software is made available to the customer for use, as the software has standalone functionality and
the license is distinct in the context of the contract. The licenses for certain software embedded into hardware such as
automotive infotainment systems and advanced driver-assistance systems are sold as a sales-based royalty where
intellectual property is the predominant item to which the royalty relates, and are recognized based on actual volumes and
underlying sales by the customer of the hardware with the embedded software except in cases where the customer makes a
non-refundable prepayment related to its future royalties, in which case consideration is fixed and recognized immediately
BlackBerry® AtHoc® generates revenue from networked crisis communication software from term subscription products,
which includes technical support, and associated professional services. The Company recognizes the license revenue over
the term of the contract beginning on the commencement date of each contract, the date that services are made available to
customers.
SecuSUITE revenue is generated from software license products associated with secure messaging and the associated
hardware. Similar to the BlackBerry Spark products, if the licensed software requires access to the Company’s proprietary
secure network infrastructure, revenue from the contract is recognized over time, ratably over the expected term or over
the customer life, if licensed on a perpetual basis. If access to the Company’s proprietary network infrastructure is not
required, revenue associated with the license is recognized at a point in time upon delivery of the software. Revenue from
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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 hardware is recognized once title and the significant risks and rewards of ownership of the products are transferred to
the customer, which occurs after the product has shipped.
Revenue from technical support is recognized over the support period. Revenue from professional services is recognized
as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by the Company’s performance as the
services are provided. This can be on a proportional performance basis, or over the term of the contract. Revenue from
software maintenance services is recognized over the length of the maintenance period, with an average term of one year.
Licensing and Other
Licensing and Other includes revenue from the Company’s intellectual property licensing arrangements, BBM Consumer
licensing arrangement, settlement awards and mobility licensing software arrangements, which include revenue from
licensed hardware sales. Other revenue consists of revenue associated with the Company’s legacy service access fees
(“SAF”) business.
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 may be perpetual or term in nature and grant (i) a limited non-exclusive, non-transferable license to certain of
the Company’s patents, (ii) a covenant not to enforce patent rights against the licensee, and (iii) the release of the licensee
from certain claims.
The Company examines intellectual property agreements on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the intellectual
property contain distinct performance obligations with standalone functionality and whether the Company is the principal
or agent in the transaction. Significant judgment is applied in assessing contractual terms which could impact the timing
and amount of revenue recognition. Revenue from patent licensing agreements is often recognized for the transaction
price either when the license has been transferred to the customer or based upon subsequent sales by the customer in the
case of sales-based royalty licenses where the license of intellectual property is the predominant item to which the royalty
relates. The transaction price may include non-monetary consideration in the form of patents transferred to the Company,
which is recorded at fair value as determined by a combination of market and income-based valuation approaches. As part
of these agreements the Company may also recognize revenue relating to the sale and assignment of patents.
The Company recognizes revenue related to consideration that may result from a negotiated agreement with a licensee
that utilized the Company’s IP prior to signing a patent license agreement with the Company or from the resolution of a
disagreement or arbitration with a licensee over the specific terms of an existing license agreement. The Company may
also recognize revenue related to consideration for past patent royalties in connection with the settlement of patent
litigation where there was no prior patent license agreement.
The Company’s BBM Consumer licensing arrangement is a multi-year agreement where the license was not previously
separately identifiable from the requirement to maintain interoperability between the licensed BBM Consumer product
and the BBM Enterprise product sold by the Company. During fiscal 2020, the licensed BBM Consumer product was shut
down by the licensee, removing any requirement for the Company to maintain interoperability and thus all performance
obligations were completed. As a result, the Company estimated the amount for which it is probable that a significant
reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur and recognized that amount as revenue during
fiscal 2020.
In fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018, the Company entered into multiple multi-year license agreements under which the
Company licensed its security software and services suite and, in many cases, related brand assets to third parties who
design, manufacture, sell and provide customer support for BlackBerry-branded and white-label handsets. Mobility
license revenue for licensees whose sales exceed contractual sales minimums is recognized when licensed products are
sold as reported by the Company’s licensees. For licensees whose sales do not exceed contractual sales minimums,
revenue is recognized over time, ratably over the license term based on contractual minimum amounts due to the promise
to provide engineering services to the licensees.
Other includes revenue associated with the Company’s legacy SAF business, relating to subscribers utilizing the
Company’s legacy BlackBerry 7 and prior operating systems, as well as legacy handheld revenue associated with the
release of previously accrued amounts when the Company determines it has no further performance obligations. SAF
revenue is recognized over time as the monthly service is provided. In instances where the Company invoices the SAF
customer prior to performing the service, the pre-billing is recorded as deferred revenue.
See Note 13 for further information, including revenue by major product and service types.
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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
Significant judgments in revenue recognition
The Company’s contracts with customers often include promises to transfer multiple products and services to a customer.
Determining whether products and services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for
separately versus together may require significant judgment.
Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in the Company’s judgment, it is probable that a significant
future reversal of cumulative revenue recognized under the contract will not occur. Any estimates, including any
constraints on variable consideration, are evaluated at each reporting period. Judgment is required to determine the fair
value of non-cash consideration at contract inception. The Company uses an independent third-party valuator for the fair
value of non-cash consideration.
Judgment is required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation. The Company’s products and
services often have observable SSP when the Company sells a promised product or service separately to similar
customers. A contractually stated price or list price for a good or service may be the SSP of that good or service.
However, in instances where SSP is not directly observable, the Company determines the SSP by maximizing observable
inputs and using an adjusted market assessment approach using information that may include market conditions and other
observable inputs from the Company’s pricing team, including historical SSP.
Judgment is required to determine in certain agreements if the Company is the principal or agent in the arrangement. The
Company considers factors such as, but not limited to, which party can direct the usage of the product or service, which
party obtains substantially all the remaining benefits and which party has the ability to establish the selling price.
Significant judgment is required to determine the estimated customer life used in perpetual license contracts that require
access to the Company’s proprietary secure network infrastructure to function. The Company uses historical experience
regarding the length of the technology upgrade cycle and the expected life of the product to draw this conclusion.
Revenue contract balances
Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Contract assets are generated when
contractual billing schedules differ from revenue recognition timing. An unbilled receivable is recorded in instances when
revenue is recognized prior to invoicing, and amounts collected in advance of services being provided are recorded as
deferred revenue.
Certain sales commissions are considered incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a contract with a customer. The
Company’s capitalized commissions are recorded as other current assets and other long-term assets and are recognized
immediately or amortized proportionally, based on the satisfaction of the related performance obligations, and are
included in selling, marketing and administration expenses. The Company has applied the practical expedient to expense
sales commission as incurred if the amortization period would have been for one year or less. The practical expedient was
applied to sales commissions allocated to professional services, as these contracts are generally for one year or less. See
Note 13 for further information on the Company’s contract balances.
Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type although standard billing terms are that payment is due upon receipt
of invoice, payable within 30 to 60 days. In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of
invoicing, the Company has determined that contracts generally do not include a significant financing component if the
period between when the payment is received and when the Company transfers the promised goods or services to the
customer will be one year or less.
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
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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 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.
Research and development
Research costs are expensed as incurred. Development costs for 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. The Company does not currently have
any capitalized research and development costs other than those identified through business combinations as in-process
research and development included within intangible assets, net, which were recorded at their fair values and began
amortizing when the related technology became available for general release to customers.
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
above in derivative financial instruments, changes in the fair value of available-for-sale investments as described in Note
3, changes in fair value from instrument-specific credit risk on the Debentures as described in Note 7 and Note 10, and
actuarial gains or losses associated with certain other post-employment benefit obligations. 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 calculation of 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 8(b).
The Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Plan”) was adopted during fiscal 2014. The Equity Plan provides for grants of
incentive stock options and restricted share units (“RSUs”) to officers and employees of the Company or its subsidiaries.
RSUs may be either time-based (“TBRSUs”) or time- and performance-based (“PBRSUs”). The number of common
shares authorized for awards under the Equity Plan is 45,875,000 common shares. Any shares that are subject to options
granted under the Equity Plan are counted against this limit as 0.625 shares for every one option granted, any shares that
are subject to TBRSUs granted under the Equity Plan are counted against this limit as one share for every TBRSU, and
any shares that are subject to PBRSUs granted under the Equity Plan are counted against this limit at the maximum
performance attainment (which is generally 1.5 shares for every PBRSU). Awards previously granted under 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 that expire or are forfeited (i.e, RSUs), settled in cash or sold to cover withholding tax requirements are counted as
one share added to the shares available under the Equity Plan. There are approximately 18 million shares in the equity
pool available for future grants under the Equity Plan as at February 28, 2021.
In connection with the Cylance (as defined in Note 5) acquisition in fiscal 2019, the Company adopted the BlackBerry-
Cylance Stock Plan (the “Cylance Stock Plan”). The Cylance Stock Plan provides for the grant of Replacement Awards
(as defined in Note 8(b)) in connection with unvested Cylance employee equity awards. The number of common shares
authorized for awards under the Cylance Stock Plan is 9,144,176 common shares, which is equal to the amount of
Replacement Awards granted. As at February 28, 2019, there were no shares remaining in the Cylance Stock Plan for
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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
future grants. In addition, no shares may be reissued under the Cylance Stock Plan in respect of shares that expire, are
forfeited, or are settled in cash.
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
ratably over the vesting period. Options granted under the Cylance Stock Plan generally vest over a four-year period with
25% vesting on the first anniversary date, and the remainder vesting in equal monthly installments. 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 granted under the
Equity Plan generally vest over a three-year period, either in equal annual installments or on the third anniversary date.
For PBRSUs, the Company estimates its achievement against the performance goals, which are based on the Company’s
business plan approved by the Board. The estimated achievement is updated for the Company’s outlook for the fiscal year
as at the end of each fiscal quarter. Compensation cost will only be recognized to the extent that performance goals are
achieved. 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. The Company expects to settle RSUs,
upon vesting, through the issuance of new common shares 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. Each independent director’s annual
retainer will be entirely satisfied in the form of DSUs. Within a specified period after a director ceases to be a member of
the Board, 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 remeasured 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
expenses.
Government Subsidies
The Company recognizes government subsidies as a reduction to operating expenses in the consolidated statement of
operations when there is reasonable assurance the Company will receive the amount and has complied with the
conditions, if any, attached to the government subsidies.
2. ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Accounting Standards Adopted During Fiscal 2021
ASC 350, Goodwill and Other
In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) released ASU 2017-04 on the topic of Intangibles
— Goodwill and Other (ASC 350). ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill, eliminating Step 2
from the goodwill impairment test. Previously, under Step 2, an entity had to perform procedures to determine the fair
value at the impairment testing date of its assets and liabilities (including unrecognized assets and liabilities) after
performing a required procedure to determine the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business
combination. Instead, under the amendments of ASU 2017-04, an entity performs its annual, or interim, goodwill
impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying value. The Company will recognize an
impairment charge for any amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The amendments in
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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
this update were effective for an entity’s annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this standard on March 1, 2020.
ASC 326, Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB released ASU 2016-13 on the topic of Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (ASC 326). ASU
2016-13 replaces the previous incurred loss impairment methodology in U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects
expected credit losses, requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform
credit loss estimates, and requires entities to estimate an expected lifetime credit loss on its financial assets.
The guidance also amends the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities, requiring entities to determine
whether all or a portion of the unrealized loss on such securities is a credit loss, and also eliminating the option for
management to consider the length of time a security has been in an unrealized loss position as a factor in concluding
whether or not a credit loss exists. The amended model states that an entity recognizes an allowance for credit losses on
available-for-sale debt securities, instead of a direct reduction of the amortized cost basis of the investment, as required
under previous guidance. As a result, entities recognize improvements to estimated credit losses on available-for-sale debt
securities immediately in earnings as opposed to in interest income over time.
The guidance was effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company adopted this
guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 using the modified retrospective method. As a result of the adoption of the new
standard on credit losses, the Company recorded a cumulative adjustment to the consolidated balance sheet increasing the
allowance for credit losses and increasing deficit by approximately $4 million as at March 1, 2020. As a result, the
allowance for credit losses was $13 million in the consolidated balance sheet as at March 1, 2020.
Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted
In August 2020, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on the topic of debt with conversion and other options, ASU
2020-06. The amendment in this update simplifies the accounting for convertible instruments by reducing the number of
accounting models available for convertible debt instruments and convertible preferred stock. This update also amends the
guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity's own equity to reduce form-over-substance-based
accounting conclusions and requires the application of the if-converted method for calculating diluted earnings per share.
The update also requires entities to provide expanded disclosures about the terms and features of convertible instruments,
how the instruments have been reported in the entity’s financial statements, and about events, conditions, and
circumstances that can affect how to assess the amount or timing of an entity’s future cash flows related to those
instruments. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company
will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2023 and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its
results of operations, financial position and disclosures.
In December 2019, the FASB released ASU 2019-12 on the topic of simplifying the accounting for income taxes,
as part of its simplification initiative to reduce the cost and complexity in accounting for income taxes. The amendments
in this update removes certain exceptions from Topic 740, Income Taxes, including (i) the exception to the
incremental approach for intra period tax allocation; (ii) the exception to accounting for basis differences when there are
ownership changes in foreign investments; and (iii) the exception in interim period income tax accounting for year-
to-date losses that exceed anticipated losses. The update also simplifies U.S. GAAP in several other areas of
Topic 740 such as (i) franchise taxes and other taxes partially based on income; (ii) transactions with a government that
result in a step up in the tax basis of goodwill; (iii) separate financial statements of entities not subject to tax; and (iv)
enacted changes in tax laws in interim periods. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after
December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal
2022 and the only aspect of ASU 2019-12 that could have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial
statements is the removal of the exception related to intraperiod tax allocation. Upon adoption of the new standard,
the Company would determine the tax attributable to continuing operations without regard to the tax effect of other items
included in other comprehensive income.
3.
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND INVESTMENTS
Fair Value
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
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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
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 that 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.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities
are measured at an amount that approximates their fair values (Level 2 measurement) due to their short maturities.
In determining the fair value of investments held, the Company primarily relies on an independent third-party valuator for
the fair valuation of securities. The Company also reviews 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 their original pricing is warranted.
The Company’s investments largely consist of securities issued by major corporate and banking organizations, the
provincial and federal governments of Canada, international government banking organizations and the United States
Department of the Treasury and are all investment grade. The Company also holds a limited amount of equity securities
following the initial public offering by the issuer of a previous private equity investment.
The Company no longer has Level 3 assets as of February 29, 2020. The Company’s Level 3 assets previously consisted
of auction rate securities. The Company realized $3 million in gains on auction rate securities for the year ended
February 29, 2020 (February 28, 2019 - nil). 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. There were no
significant transfers in or out of Level 3 assets during the years ended February 28, 2021 or February 29, 2020.
For a description of how the fair values of the Debentures (as defined in Note 7) were determined, see the “Convertible
debentures” accounting policies in Note 1. The 3.75% Debentures (as defined in Note 7) were classified as Level 2 and
the 1.75% Debentures (as defined in Note 7) are classified as Level 3. For a description of how the fair value of the CEO
Contingent Cash Award (as defined in Note 8) was determined, see the “2019 Executive Chair Incentive Grant” section of
Note 8(b).
Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements
Upon the occurrence of certain events, the Company re-measures the fair value of long-lived assets, including property,
plant and equipment, operating lease ROU assets, intangible assets and goodwill.
Goodwill Impairment
During the year ended February 28, 2021, as a result of the deterioration in economic conditions caused by the global
COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the Company’s reporting units, and the decline of the trading value of the
Company’s capital stock below the Company’s consolidated carrying value, the Company determined that it was more
likely than not that the fair value of at least one of its reporting units was lower than its carrying value after including
goodwill. As a result, the Company completed an analysis of the fair value of its reporting units to compare against their
respective carrying values as of May 31, 2020.
In its analysis, the Company utilized multiple valuation techniques, including the income approach using a discounted
future cash flow model, the market-based approach, and the asset value approach which is based on the sum of the values
of each of the assets and liabilities within the entity. In addition to market data, the valuation techniques utilized Level 3
inputs such as the Company’s internal forecasts of its future results, cash flows and its weighted average cost of capital,
which is risk-adjusted to reflect the specific risk profile of the reporting unit being tested and based upon the Company’s
estimated credit rating. The analysis involves significant judgment in the selection of assumptions necessary to arrive at
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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 reporting units’ fair values, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its short-term and potential
long-term impacts to the Company’s business. The total of the fair values of the Company’s reporting units was
reconciled to the Company’s market capitalization based on the quoted market price of the Company’s stock in an active
market, adjusted by an appropriate control premium. Where the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeded its fair value,
goodwill of the reporting unit was considered to be impaired.
Based on the results of the goodwill impairment test, it was concluded that the carrying value of one reporting unit
exceeded its fair value, necessitating an impairment charge for the amount of excess and reducing the carrying value of
Goodwill. Consequently, the Company recorded total non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $594 million in the first
quarter of fiscal 2021, relating to its BlackBerry Spark reporting unit (the “Goodwill Impairment Charge”). The estimated
fair values of the Company’s other reporting units substantially exceeded their carrying values at May 31, 2020. No
additional goodwill impairment was identified during the Company’s annual impairment test and the Company’s
reporting units all substantially exceeded their carrying values as of the annual test date of December 31, 2020.
During the year ended February 29, 2020, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $22 million relating to
its BBM Consumer reporting unit.
During the year ended February 28, 2019, there was no goodwill impairment charge.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
During the year ended February 28, 2021, the Company decided to exit and seek subleases for certain leased facilities and
made a change in the estimate of future sublease activity of a previously exited facility. In addition, during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company made a strategic decision to move towards a significant work from home model and
will vacate or consolidate numerous facilities globally. The Company will also actively market certain facilities for
sublease as part of its strategic decision. During the year ended February 28, 2021, the Company recorded a non-cash, pre-
tax and after-tax impairment charge of $46 million consisting of $37 million related to operating lease ROU assets for
those facilities and $9 million related to property, plant and equipment associated with those facilities. The impairment
was determined by comparing the fair value of the impacted ROU asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the
impairment measurement date, as required under ASC Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, using Level 2 inputs.
The fair value of the ROU asset was based on the estimated sublease income for certain facilities taking into consideration
the time period it will take to obtain a sublessor, the applicable discount rate and the sublease rate. The Company also
recorded a decrease to its lease liabilities of $3 million associated with certain leased facilities with an early termination
option, which has been included as a partial offset in impairment of long-lived assets on the Company’s consolidated
statements of operations. The Company conducts an evaluation of the related liabilities and expenses and revises its
assumptions and estimates as appropriate as new or updated information becomes available.
During the year ended February 29, 2020, the Company recorded a non-cash, pre-tax and after-tax impairment charge of
$10 million consisting of $8 million related to operating lease ROU assets for certain facilities that have been exited (see
Note 12) and $2 million related to property, plant and equipment associated with those facilities.
During the year ended February 28, 2019, there were no LLA impairment charges.
85
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
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
The components of cash, cash equivalents and investments by fair value level as at February 28, 2021 were as follows:
Cost Basis
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Short-term
Investments
Long-term
Investments
Restricted
Cash
Equivalents
Restricted
Short-term
Investments
$
165 $ — $ — $
165 $
165 $ — $ — $ — $ —
Bank balances
Other investments
Level 1:
Equity securities
Level 2:
Term deposits, certificates
of deposits, and GIC's
Bearer deposit notes
Commercial paper
Non-U.S. promissory
notes
Non-U.S. government
sponsored enterprise notes
Non-U.S. treasury bills/
notes
Corporate notes/bonds
—
—
—
24
—
—
—
—
—
—
24
24
37
202
10
138
40
162
55
154
25
25
599
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
37
202
—
165
(7)
3
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
138
40
162
55
154
25
25
599
7
—
15
26
1
—
—
49
—
—
3
103
40
147
29
153
25
25
522
37
37
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
4
—
—
—
—
—
—
4
$
811 $ — $
(7) $
804 $
214 $
525 $
37 $
4 $
86
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, 2020 were as follows:
Bank balances
Other investments
Level 1:
Equity securities
Level 2:
Term deposits, certificates of
deposits, and GICs
Bankers’ acceptances/bearer
deposit notes
Commercial paper
Non-U.S. promissory notes
Non-U.S. government sponsored
enterprise notes
Non-U.S. treasury bills/notes
U.S. treasury bills/notes
Cost Basis
Unrealized
Gains
Unrealized
Losses
Fair Value
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
Short-term
Investments
Long-term
Investments
Restricted
Cash
Equivalents
$
100 $ — $ — $
100 $
100 $ — $ — $ —
32
132
10
118
84
276
133
144
56
45
856
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
32
132
—
100
(8)
2
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
118
84
276
133
144
56
45
856
44
30
108
25
—
25
45
277
—
—
2
25
54
168
108
144
31
—
530
32
32
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
998 $ — $
(8) $
990 $
377 $
532 $
32 $
—
—
—
49
—
—
—
—
—
—
49
49
As at February 28, 2021, the Company had private equity investments without readily determinable fair value of $37
million (February 29, 2020 - $32 million).
During the year ended February 28, 2021, there was no impairment recognized relating to private equity investments
without readily determinable fair value (February 29, 2020 - $3 million and February 28, 2019 - nil).
There were no realized gains or losses on available-for-sale securities for the year ended February 28, 2021 (February 29,
2020 and February 28, 2019 - nil).
The Company has restricted cash and cash equivalents and restricted short-term investments, 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. The letters of
credit are for terms ranging from one month to five 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.
87
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 provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents as
at February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 from the consolidated balance sheets to the consolidated
statements of cash flows:
Cash and cash equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents
Total cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash
equivalents presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows
As at
February 28,
2021
February 29,
2020
February 28,
2019
$
$
214 $
4
377 $
49
218 $
426 $
548
34
582
The contractual maturities of available-for-sale investments as at February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 were as
follows:
Due in one year or less
No fixed maturity
As at
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Cost Basis
Fair Value
Cost Basis
Fair Value
$
$
599 $
10
609 $
599 $
3
602 $
856 $
10
866 $
856
2
858
As at February 28, 2021, the Company had investments with continuous unrealized losses totaling $7 million, consisting
of unrealized losses on equity securities (February 29, 2020 - continuous unrealized losses totaling $8 million).
4. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET DETAILS
Accounts Receivable, Net
The allowance for credit losses as at February 28, 2021 was $10 million (February 29, 2020 - $9 million).
The Company recognizes current estimated credit losses for accounts receivable, net of allowance. The CECL for
accounts receivable, net are estimated based on days past due and region for each customer in relation to a representative
pool of assets consisting of a large number of customers with similar risk characteristics that operate under similar
economic environments. The Company determined the CECL by estimating historical credit loss experience based on the
past due status and region of the customers, adjusted as appropriate to reflect current conditions and estimates of future
economic conditions, inclusive of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on credit losses. The duration and severity of the
COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting market volatility are highly uncertain and, as such, the impact on expected credit
losses is subject to significant judgment and may cause variability in the Company’s allowance for credit losses in future
periods. When specific customers are identified as no longer sharing the same risk profile as their current pool, they are
removed from the pool and evaluated separately. The Company also has long-term accounts receivable included in Other
Long-term Assets. The CECL for long-term accounts receivable is estimated using the probability of default method and
the default exposure due to limited historical information. The exposure of default is represented by the assets’ amortized
carrying amount at the reporting date.
The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s allowance for credit losses:
Beginning balance as of February 29, 2020
Impact of adopting ASC 326
Current period recovery for expected credit losses
Ending balance of the allowance for credit loss as at February 28, 2021
For the Year Ended
February 28, 2021
$
$
9
4
(3)
10
The allowance for credit losses as at February 28, 2021 consists of $3 million relating to CECL estimated based on days
past due and geographic region and $7 million relating to specific customers that were evaluated separately.
88
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
There was one customer that comprised more than 10% of accounts receivable as at February 28, 2021 (February 29, 2020
- two customers comprised more than 10%).
Other Current Assets
As at February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, other current assets include items such as the current portion of deferred
commissions 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:
As at
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Cost
Buildings, leasehold improvements and other
$
67 $
BlackBerry operations and other information technology
Manufacturing, repair and research and development equipment
Furniture and fixtures
Accumulated amortization
Net book value
110
72
10
259
211
$
48 $
72
84
73
11
240
170
70
For the year ended February 28, 2021, amortization expense related to property, plant and equipment amounted to $21
million (February 29, 2020 - $24 million; February 28, 2019 - $20 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 28, 2021
Cost
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Book
Value
1,023 $
498
494
2,015 $
712 $
299
233
1,244 $
311
199
261
771
As at February 29, 2020
Cost
Accumulated
Amortization
Net Book
Value
1,019 $
636 $
489
494
275
176
2,002 $
1,087 $
383
214
318
915
$
$
$
$
For the year ended February 28, 2021, amortization expense related to intangible assets amounted to $177 million
(February 29, 2020 - $188 million; February 28, 2019 - $129 million).
Total additions to intangible assets in fiscal 2021 amounted to $36 million (fiscal 2020 - $32 million). During fiscal 2021,
additions to intangible assets primarily consisted of payments for intellectual property relating to patent maintenance,
registration and license fees.
89
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
Based on the carrying value of the identified intangible assets as at February 28, 2021, 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 2022 - $153 million; fiscal 2023 - $117 million; fiscal 2024 - $109 million; fiscal 2025 - $101 million; and
fiscal 2026 - $95 million.
The weighted average remaining useful lives of the intangible assets are as follows:
Acquired technology
Intellectual property
Other acquired intangibles
Goodwill
As at
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
4.7 years
6.4 years
5.0 years
5.4 years
6.6 years
6.0 years
Changes to the carrying amount of goodwill during the fiscal years ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and
February 28, 2019 were as follows:
Carrying amount as at February 28, 2018
Effect of foreign exchange on non-U.S. dollar denominated goodwill
Goodwill acquired through business combination completed during the year
Carrying amount as at February 28, 2019
Measurement period adjustment (note 5)
Goodwill impairment charge
Effect of foreign exchange on non-U.S. dollar denominated goodwill
Carrying amount as at February 29, 2020
Effect of foreign exchange on non-U.S. dollar denominated goodwill
Goodwill impairment charge (note 3)
Carrying amount as at February 28, 2021
Other Long-term Assets
Carrying Amount
$
$
569
(5)
899
1,463
(2)
(22)
(2)
1,437
6
(594)
849
As at February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, other long-term assets include long-term portion of deferred commission
and long-term receivables, among other items, none of which were greater than 5% of total assets in any of the periods
presented.
Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities comprised the following:
Variable incentive accrual
Operating lease liabilities, current (note 12)
Other
As at
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
$
$
16 $
33
129
178 $
33
31
138
202
Other accrued liabilities include accrued vendor liabilities, accrued carrier liabilities and payroll withholding taxes, among
other items, none of which were greater than 5% of the current liabilities balance.
90
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
Other Long-term Liabilities
Other long-term liabilities consist of the long-term portion of finance lease liabilities and non-lease component liabilities
related to the Company’s previous Resource Allocation Program entered into in order to transition the Company from a
legacy hardware manufacturer to a licensing driven software business.
5. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
There were no business acquisitions during fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020.
On February 21, 2019, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding shares of Cylance Inc. (“Cylance”), an
artificial intelligence and cybersecurity leader, for approximately $1.4 billion in cash and common shares, plus the
assumption of unvested employee incentive awards. The acquisition of Cylance was a strategic addition to the Company’s
end-to-end secure communications portfolio. The accounting for the acquisition of Cylance was completed in the second
quarter of fiscal 2020, as the calculation of working capital of Cylance was finalized. In lieu of cash, a proportion of
consideration owed to certain Cylance shareholders will be paid in BlackBerry shares issued from treasury in equal
instalments on the first three anniversary dates of the acquisition (the “Exchange Shares”). There are no service or other
requirements associated with the issuance of these shares. One installment of the Exchange Shares was issued in each of
fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020.
The Company incurred $12 million in acquisition-related costs included in selling, general and administration expenses
for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2019.
The Company recorded a measurement period recovery of $2 million in selling, general and administration expenses
during the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020, as the amount would have been recognized in the prior fiscal year, if the
adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date.
6.
INCOME TAXES
The difference between the amount of the provision for (recovery of) income taxes and the amount computed by
multiplying income (loss) before income taxes by the statutory Canadian tax rate is reconciled as follows:
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Statutory Canadian tax rate
26.5 %
26.5 %
Expected provision for (recovery of) income taxes
$
(295)
$
(39)
$
Differences in income taxes resulting from:
Valuation allowance
Investment tax credits
Change in unrecognized income tax benefits
Foreign tax rate differences
Non-deductible permanent differences
Goodwill impairment
Other differences
Withholding tax on unremitted earnings
Income (loss) before income taxes:
Canadian
Foreign
205
(41)
(48)
3
13
158
(4)
—
(9)
$
41
(10)
(12)
3
15
6
1
(1)
4
$
26.5 %
20
(55)
(10)
9
(1)
19
—
2
—
$
(16)
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
$
(383) $
(730)
(1,113) $
15 $
(163)
(148) $
63
14
77
91
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 provision for (recovery of) income taxes consists of the following:
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Current
Canadian
Foreign
Deferred
Foreign
$
$
(2) $
(7)
—
(9) $
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities consist of the following temporary differences:
2
7
(25)
(16)
2 $
3
(1)
4 $
As at
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Assets
Property, plant, equipment and intangibles assets
$
240 $
Non-deductible reserves
Minimum taxes
Convertible Debentures (note 7)
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 assets
Deferred income tax liabilities
Net deferred income tax asset (liability)
59
206
94
390
414
82
174
65
267
1
327
419
117
1,485
1,370
1,360
125
1,223
147
(125)
(125)
— $
(147)
(147)
—
$
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 had been three years of cumulative losses
including fiscal 2021. In fiscal 2021, the Company saw an increase in the deferred tax valuation allowance of
$205 million (February 29, 2020 - increase of $41 million). As a result, the deferred tax valuation allowance had an
ending balance of $1,360 million (February 29, 2020 - $1,223 million). This accounting treatment has no effect on the
Company’s 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.
92
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 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 were $24 million
and $72 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
Unrecognized income tax benefits, ending balance
February 28, 2021
$
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
72 $
—
2
(50)
24 $
84 $
2
1
(15)
72 $
73
10
5
(4)
84
$
As at February 28, 2021, $22 million of the unrecognized tax benefits have been netted against deferred income taxes and
$2 million has been recorded within income taxes payable 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 2016 - 2021
Fiscal 2018 - 2021
Fiscal 2019 - 2021
______________________________
(1) Includes federal as well as provincial jurisdictions, as applicable.
(2) Pertains to federal tax years. Certain state jurisdictions remain open from fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2021.
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 nil of its gross unrecognized income tax benefits 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, net. The amount of interest accrued as at February 28, 2021 was
approximately $3 million (February 29, 2020 - approximately $4 million). The amount of penalties accrued as at February
28, 2021 was nil (February 29, 2020 - nil).
93
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 28, 2021, 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
(1)
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
$
10 $
— $
— $
—
1
28
88
96
92
275
475
225
13
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
23
1
146
120
52
39
23
17
16
14
3
Indefinite
$
236
1,539 $
19
19 $
19
473 $
______________________________
(1) Includes federal, provincial and state balances.
7. DEBENTURES
1.75% Convertible Debentures
Minimum Taxes
1
108
71
22
—
—
4
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
206
On September 1, 2020, Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd., in its capacity as investment manager of Fairfax
Financial Holdings Limited ("Fairfax") and another institutional investor invested in the Company through a $365 million
private placement of new debentures (the “1.75% Debentures”), which partially replaced $605 million of debentures
issued in a private placement on September 7, 2016 (the “3.75% Debentures”) as described below (collectively, the
“Debentures”).
Interest on the 1.75% Debentures is payable quarterly in arrears at a rate of 1.75% per annum. The 1.75% Debentures
mature on November 13, 2023 and each $1,000 of 1.75% Debentures is convertible at any time into 166.67 common
shares of the Company, for a total of 60.8 million common shares at a price of $6.00 per share for all 1.75% Debentures,
subject to adjustments. Covenants associated with the 1.75% Debentures include limitations on the Company’s total
indebtedness.
Under specified events of default, the outstanding principal and any accrued interest on the 1.75% Debentures become
immediately due and payable upon request of holders holding not less than 25% of the principal amount of the 1.75%
Debentures then outstanding. During an event of default, the interest rate rises to 5.75% per annum.
The 1.75% Debentures are subject to a change of control provision whereby the Company would be required to make an
offer to repurchase the 1.75% 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. Additionally, the 1.75% Debentures cannot be converted to the extent that, after giving effect to the
conversion, the holder would beneficially own or exercise control or direction over more than 19.99% of the Company’s
then issued and outstanding shares (the “Blocker Provision”).
Due to the conversion option and other embedded derivatives within the 1.75% Debentures, and consistent with the
Company’s accounting for the 3.75% Debentures, the Company has elected to record the 1.75% Debentures, including the
debt itself and all embedded derivatives, at fair value and present the 1.75% Debentures as a single hybrid financial
instrument. No portion of the fair value of the 1.75% Debentures has been recorded as equity, nor would be if the
embedded derivatives were bifurcated from the host debt contract.
94
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
Each period, the fair value of the 1.75% Debentures is recalculated and resulting gains and losses from the change in fair
value of the Debentures associated with non-credit components are recognized in income, while the change in fair value
associated with credit components is recognized in AOCL. The fair value of the Debentures has been determined using
the significant Level 2 inputs of interest rate curves and any observable trades of the Debentures that may have occurred
during the period, the market price and volatility of the Company’s listed common shares, and the significant Level 3
inputs related to credit spread and the implied discount of the 1.75% Debentures at issuance.
The Company determined its credit spread by calibrating to observable trades of the 3.75% Debentures and trending the
calibrated spread to valuation dates utilizing an appropriate credit index. The Company’s credit spread was determined to
be 7.90% as of the issuance date of the 1.75% Debentures and 6.20% as of February 28, 2021. An increase in credit
spread will result in a decrease in the fair value of 1.75% Debentures and vice versa. The fair value of the 1.75%
Debentures on September 1, 2020 was determined to be approximately $456 million and the implied discount
approximately $91 million. The Company determined the implied discount on the 1.75% Debentures by calculating the
fair value of the 1.75% Debentures on September 1, 2020 utilizing the above credit spread and other inputs described
above.
The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the 1.75% Debentures for the fiscal year ended February 28,
2021:
Balance as at Principal received as of September 1, 2020
Change in fair value of the Debentures
Balance as at February 28, 2021
As at
February 28, 2021
$
$
365
355
720
The difference between the fair value of the 1.75% Debentures and the unpaid principal balance of $365 million is $355
million.
The following table shows the impact of the changes in fair value of the 1.75% Debentures for the years ended February
28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019:
Charge associated with the change in fair value from non-credit components
recorded in the consolidated statements of operations
Charge associated with the change in fair value from instrument-specific credit
components recorded in AOCL
Total increase in the fair value of the 1.75% Debentures
$
$
(347) $
(8)
(355) $
— $
—
— $
—
—
—
For the Years Ended
February 28,
2021
February 29,
2020
February 28,
2019
For the year ended February 28, 2021, the Company recorded interest expense related to the Debentures of $15 million,
which has been included in investment income (loss), net on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations (fiscal
2020 - $23 million; fiscal 2019 - $24 million). The Company is required to make quarterly interest-only payments of
approximately $2 million during the remaining term the 1.75% Debentures are outstanding.
Fairfax, a related party under U.S. GAAP due to its beneficial ownership of common shares in the Company after taking
into account potential conversion of the Debentures, owned $500 million principal amount of the 3.75% Debentures and
purchased $330 million principal amount of the 1.75% Debentures. As such, the redemption of Fairfax’s portion of the
3.75% Debentures, the investment by Fairfax in the 1.75% Debentures and the payment of interest on the Debentures
represent related party transactions. Fairfax receives interest at the same rate as other holders of the Debentures.
3.75% Convertible Debentures
On September 7, 2016, Fairfax and other institutional investors invested in the Company through a $605 million private
placement of the 3.75% Debentures. The terms of the 3.75% Debentures were substantially similar to those of the 1.75%
Debentures, except that the 3.75% Debentures had a higher interest rate, were convertible into common shares at a price
of $10.00 per common share, were subject to a lower approval threshold for extraordinary resolutions, did not contain the
Blocker Provision and had a maturity date of November 13, 2020.
95
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
On July 22, 2020, the Company announced that, with the required approval of the holders of the 3.75% Debentures, it
would redeem the 3.75% Debentures for a redemption amount of approximately $615 million (the “Redemption
Amount”), which would settle all outstanding obligations of the Company in respect of the 3.75% Debentures. The
redemption was completed on September 1, 2020. As the Redemption Amount represented fair value at August 31, 2020
and the Company elected the fair value option for the 3.75% Debentures, the impact of the redemption on the fair value
was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2021. A portion of the fair value associated with changes in instrument-
specific credit components in the amount of $6 million remained in OCI until redemption on September 1, 2020 at which
point $6 million was discharged to the consolidated statement of operations and is included in the table below.
The following table shows the impact of the changes in fair value of the 3.75% Debentures for the years ended February
28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019:
Income (charge) associated with the change in fair value from non-credit
components recorded in the consolidated statements of operations
Income (charge) associated with the change in fair value from instrument-specific
credit components recorded in AOCL
Realized charges associated with the change in fair value from credit components
recorded in the consolidated statements of operations on redemption
Realized charges associated with the change in fair value from credit components
released from AOCL on redemption
Total decrease (increase) in the fair value of the 3.75% Debentures
$
8.
CAPITAL STOCK
(a) Capital Stock
For the Years Ended
February 28,
2021
February 29,
2020
February 28,
2019
$
(19) $
66 $
117
15
(7)
(6)
6
(4) $
—
—
59 $
—
—
—
117
The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of voting common shares, an unlimited number of non-voting,
redeemable, retractable Class A common shares and an unlimited number of non-voting, cumulative, redeemable,
retractable preferred shares. As at February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, there were no Class A common shares or
preferred shares outstanding.
96
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 details the changes in issued and outstanding common shares for the years ended February 28, 2021,
February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019:
Common shares outstanding as at February 28, 2018
Exercise of stock options
Common shares issued for restricted share unit settlements
Stock-based compensation
Exchange shares issued from Cylance acquisition (note 5)
Value of pre-combination service related to Replacement Awards included in purchase
consideration
Common shares issued for employee share purchase plan
Capital Stock and
Additional Paid-in Capital
Stock
Outstanding
(000s)
Amount
536,734 $
2,560
105
10,156
—
—
—
363
1
—
67
35
21
4
Common shares outstanding as at February 28, 2019
547,358
2,688
Exercise of stock options
Common shares issued for restricted share unit settlements
Stock-based compensation
Common shares issued related to Exchange Shares (note 5)
Common shares issued for employee share purchase plan
Common shares outstanding as at February 29, 2020
Exercise of stock options
Common shares issued for restricted share unit settlements
Stock-based compensation
Common shares issued related to Exchange Shares (note 5)
Common shares issued for employee share purchase plan
Common shares outstanding as at February 28, 2021
1,189
3,361
—
1,380
911
3
—
63
—
6
554,199
2,760
3,072
5,330
—
1,380
1,524
12
—
44
—
7
565,505 $
2,823
The Company had 566 million voting common shares outstanding, 2 million options to purchase voting common shares,
22 million RSUs and 1 million DSUs outstanding as at March 26, 2021. In addition, 60.8 million common shares are
issuable upon conversion in full of the 1.75% Debentures as described in Note 7.
(b) Stock-based Compensation
Replacement awards
In connection with the Cylance acquisition in fiscal 2019, the Company granted 8,320,130 options and 824,046 RSUs
(“Replacement Awards”) to replace unvested Cylance employee stock options and unvested restricted share units, all of
which were canceled upon the closing of the transaction. The Company was obligated to replace the unvested Cylance
employee equity awards under the merger agreement governing the acquisition.
In accordance with ASC Topic 805, Business Combinations, as the Company was obligated to conduct the replacement,
these awards are considered to be replacement awards. Exchanges of share options or other share-based payment awards
in conjunction with a business combination are modifications of share-based payment awards in accordance with ASC
Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). As a result, a portion of the fair-value-based measure of
the Replacement Awards is included in measuring the consideration transferred in the Cylance business combination. To
determine the portion of the Replacement Awards that is consideration transferred, the Company measured the value of
both the Replacement Awards granted by the Company and the historical Cylance awards as of February 21, 2019 in
accordance with ASC 718. The portion of the fair-value-based measure of the Replacement Awards that was part of the
consideration transferred equaled the portion of the replaced Cylance award that was attributable to pre-combination
service. The Company attributed a portion of the Replacement Awards to post-combination service as these awards
require post-combination service. The fair value of the rollover consideration was estimated to be $39 million, net of
forfeitures, of which $21 million was attributable to pre-acquisition services. The remaining fair value of $18 million is
97
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
recorded as stock-based compensation over the remaining vesting period subsequent to the acquisition date. As of
February 28, 2021, the remaining amount of unrecognized expense for the replacement awards totaled $3 million
(February 29, 2020 - $6 million).
Stock options
The Company recorded a charge to income and a credit to paid-in capital of approximately $6 million in fiscal 2021
(fiscal 2020 - $5 million; fiscal 2019 - $1 million) in relation to stock option-based compensation expense.
Stock options previously granted under the Equity Plan generally vest over a period of three years, and are generally
exercisable over a period of five years from the grant date. Replacement stock options granted under the Cylance Stock
Plan generally vest between three months and four years and are generally exercisable over a period of five to ten years.
The Company issues new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.
A summary of option activity for fiscal 2021 is shown below:
Balance as at February 29, 2020
Granted during the year
Exercised during the year
Forfeited/canceled/expired during the year
Balance as at February 28, 2021
Vested and expected to vest as at February 28, 2021
Exercisable as at February 28, 2021
Number
(000’s)
5,705 $
—
(3,072)
(1,050)
1,583 $
1,475 $
1,035 $
Options Outstanding
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(millions)
4.41
—
3.78
5.51
4.92
4.85
4.40
6.48 $
6.40 $
5.94 $
8
8
6
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value that would have been received
by the option holders if all in-the-money options had been exercised on February 28, 2021. The intrinsic value of stock
options exercised during fiscal 2021, calculated using the average market price during the year, was approximately $2.22
per share (February 29, 2020 - $4.30; February 28, 2019 - $2.55).
A summary of unvested stock options since February 28, 2021 is shown below:
Balance as at February 29, 2020
Vested during the year
Forfeited during the year
Balance as at February 28, 2021
Options Outstanding
Number
(000’s)
Weighted Average
Grant Date Fair
Value
2,240 $
(1,171)
(521)
548 $
4.91
5.20
4.69
4.50
As at February 28, 2021, there was $2 million of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested
stock options that will be expensed over the vesting period, which, on a weighted average basis, results in a period of
approximately 1.28 years. The total fair value of stock options vested during the year ended February 28, 2021 amounted
to $6 million (February 29, 2020 - $25 million; February 28, 2019 - $1 million).
Cash received from the stock options exercised for the year ended February 28, 2021 amounted to $12 million
(February 29, 2020 - $3 million; February 28, 2019 - $1 million). There were no tax deficiencies incurred by the Company
related to stock options exercised as at February 28, 2021 (February 29, 2020 - tax deficiency of nil; February 28, 2019 -
tax deficiency of nil).
98
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 the year ended February 28, 2021, there were no stock options granted (February 29, 2020 - nil; February 28, 2019
- 8,320,130). 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
$
—
$
—
$3.97 to $7.48
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Assumptions:
Risk-free interest rates
Expected life in years
Expected dividend yield
Volatility
— %
0
— %
— %
— % 2.50% to 2.56%
0
3.91 to 6.16
— %
— %
— %
37% to 40%
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. The expected
life of stock options granted under the Cylance Stock Plan is based on the simplified method, as the terms and conditions
are different than those previously granted under the Equity Plan.
Restricted share units
The Company recorded compensation expense with respect to RSUs of approximately $38 million in the year ended
February 28, 2021 (February 29, 2020 - $57 million; February 28, 2019 - $66 million).
A summary of RSU activity during fiscal 2021 is shown below:
Balance as at February 29, 2020
Granted during the year
Vested during the year
Forfeited/cancelled during the year
Balance as at February 28, 2021
Expected to vest February 28, 2021
RSUs Outstanding
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(millions)
7.93
5.54
8.22
6.82
7.88
7.33
1.60 $
1.59 $
222
197
Number
(000’s)
24,502 $
8,621
(5,330)
(5,718)
22,075 $
19,614 $
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 28, 2021 that would have been received by RSU holders if all RSUs
had been vested on February 28, 2021).
Tax deficiencies incurred by the Company related to the RSUs vested were nil for the year ended February 28, 2021
(February 29, 2020 - tax deficiency of nil; February 28, 2019 - tax deficiency of nil).
As at February 28, 2021, there was $80 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 1.66 years.
During the year ended February 28, 2021, there were 8,620,551 RSUs granted (February 29, 2020 - 16,902,445, of which
4,182,189 were inducement awards in connection with the Cylance acquisition), all of which will be settled upon vesting
by the issuance of new common shares.
During the year ended February 28, 2021, the weighted average fair value for RSUs granted was $5.54 (February 29, 2020
- $7.19; February 28, 2019 - $9.45). During the year ended February 28, 2021, the fair value of RSUs that vested was $44
million (February 29, 2020 - $33 million; February 28, 2019 - $73 million).
99
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
Inducement awards
In the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Board approved an agreement to grant performance-based equity awards
(“Inducement Awards”) to the co-founders of Cylance covering up to 4,182,189 common shares. Up to 25%, 35% and
40% of the Inducement Awards may be earned at the end of the Company’s 2020, 2021 and 2022 fiscal years,
respectively, if certain performance conditions are met, and any earned amounts will vest at the end of fiscal 2022. In
fiscal 2020, 3,122,140 common shares subject to Inducement Awards were forfeited due to the departure of one of the co-
founders of Cylance.
As at February 28, 2021, there were 861,290 common shares subject to Inducement Awards outstanding. The Company
recorded compensation expense with respect to the Inducement Awards of approximately $1 million for the year ended
February 28, 2021 (February 29, 2020 - $3 million).
2019 Executive Chair Incentive Grant
In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Board approved an agreement to grant a time-based equity award, a long-term
market performance-based equity award and a contingent cash award (together, the “2019 Executive Chair Grant”) to the
Company’s Executive Chair and CEO as an incentive to remain as Executive Chair until November 3, 2023. The expense
associated with the time-based equity award and market performance-based equity award is included in the compensation
expense noted above. The equity and liability components of the agreement are summarized below:
Time-based equity award
The time-based equity award consists of 5 million time-based RSUs that will vest annually in five equal tranches
beginning on November 3, 2019.
Market performance-based equity award
The market performance-based equity award consists of five tranches, each of 1 million market-condition RSUs that will
become earned and vested in increments of 1 million RSUs when the 10-day volume weighted average closing price of
the Company’s common shares on the New York Stock Exchange reaches $16, $17, $18, $19 and $20, respectively. The
grant date fair value and the derived service period for each of the market condition equity awards were determined
through the use of a Monte Carlo simulation model utilizing Level 2 inputs. Should the target price of an award be
reached prior to the derived service date, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost for the award will be accelerated
and recorded at that time. Any market-condition RSUs that have not been earned before November 3, 2023 will terminate
on such date.
Contingent cash award
The contingent cash award consists of a cash amount of $90 million that becomes payable should the 10-day volume
weighted average closing price of the Company’s common shares on the New York Stock Exchange reach $30 (“CEO
Contingent Cash Award”). As the award is triggered by the Company’s share price, it is considered stock-based
compensation and accounted for as a share-based liability award, the fair value of which is determined at each reporting
period end utilizing a option pricing model using Level 2 inputs and the associated compensation expense for the
reporting period recorded. If unearned, the contingent cash award will terminate on November 3, 2023. The Company
recorded compensation expense with respect to the contingent cash award of approximately $8 million for the year ended
February 28, 2021 (February 29, 2020 - $1 million; February 28, 2019 - $1 million). The liability recorded in respect to
the award was $8 million as at February 28, 2021 and is included within accrued liabilities (February 29, 2020 -
$1 million).
Deferred share units
The Company issued 282,090 DSUs in the year ended February 28, 2021. There were 1.4 million DSUs outstanding as at
February 28, 2021 (February 29, 2020 - 1.1 million). The Company had a liability of $14 million in relation to the DSU
Plan as at February 28, 2021 (February 29, 2020 - $6 million) included in accrued liabilities.
100
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
9. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
Net income (loss) for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share
available to common shareholders
Less: Debentures fair value adjustment (1) (2)
Add: interest expense on Debentures (1) (2)
Net income (loss) for diluted earnings (loss) per share available to
common shareholders
Weighted average number of shares outstanding (000’s) - basic (3)
Effect of dilutive securities (000’s)
Stock-based compensation (4) (5)
Conversion of Debentures (1) (2)
Exchange shares from Cylance acquisition (6)
Weighted average number of shares and assumed conversions (000’s)
diluted
Earnings (loss) per share - reported
Basic
Diluted
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
(1,104) $
(152) $
—
—
(66)
23
$
(1,104) $
(195) $
93
(117)
24
—
561,305
553,861
540,477
—
—
—
—
60,500
—
11,308
60,500
4,182
561,305
614,361
616,467
$
$
(1.97) $
(1.97) $
(0.27) $
(0.32) $
0.17
0.00
______________________________
(1) The Company has not presented the dilutive effect of the Debentures using the if-converted method in the calculation
of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the year ended February 28, 2021, as to do so would be antidilutive. See Note 7
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 the fiscal year for the years ended February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019. Accordingly, to
calculate diluted earnings (loss) per share, the Company adjusted net income (loss) by eliminating the fair value
adjustment made to the Debentures and interest expense incurred on the Debentures in the years ended February 29,
2020 and February 28, 2019, and added the number of shares that would have been issued upon conversion to the
diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding. See Note 7 for details on the Debentures.
(3) The year ended February 28, 2021, includes approximately 1,421,945 common shares (Exchange Shares) remaining to
be issued on the third anniversary date of the Cylance acquisition, in consideration for the acquisition. The year ended
February 29, 2020, includes approximately 2,802,067 common shares to be issued in equal installments on the two
anniversary dates of the Cylance acquisition thereafter, in consideration for the acquisition. There are no service or
other requirements associated with the issuance of these shares.
(4) The Company has not presented the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and RSUs that will be settled upon vesting
by the issuance of new common shares in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended
February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020, as to do so would be antidilutive.
(5) The Company has presented the dilutive effect of in-the-money options and RSUs that will be settled upon vesting by
the issuance of new common shares in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the years ended February
28, 2019. As at February 28, 2019, there were 8,985,836 options and 9,300,191 RSUs outstanding that were in-the-
money and may have a dilutive effect on earnings (loss) per share in future periods.
(6) The Company has presented the dilutive effect of the Exchange Shares in connection with the Cylance acquisition
completed on February 21, 2019 in the calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share for the year ended February 28,
2019. The remaining Exchange Shares are included in the calculation of weighted average number of shares
outstanding for the years ended February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 as noted in footnote 3 above.
101
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
10. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
The changes in AOCL by component net of tax, for the years ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020 and February
28, 2019 were as follows:
As At
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
Available-for-Sale Debt Securities
Balance, beginning of period
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
Cumulative impact of adoption of ASU 2016-01
$
— $
—
—
Accumulated net unrealized gains on available-for-sale debt securities
$
— $
Cash Flow Hedges
Balance, beginning of period
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
Amounts reclassified from AOCL into net income (loss)
Accumulated net unrealizes gains (losses) on derivative instruments
designated as cash flow hedges
Foreign Currency Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Balance, beginning of period
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
Foreign currency cumulative translation adjustment
Change in Fair Value From Instrument-Specific Credit Risk On
Debentures
Balance, beginning of period
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassification
Amounts reclassified from AOCL into net income (loss)
Cumulative impact of adoption of ASU 2016-01
Change in fair value from instruments-specific credit risk on
Debentures
Other Post-Employment Benefit Obligations
Actuarial losses associated with other post-employment benefit
obligations
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, End of Period
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
2 $
(2)
—
— $
— $
(1)
—
(1) $
(7) $
(2)
(9) $
(14) $
(8)
—
—
(1) $
2
—
1 $
(9) $
5
(4) $
(22) $
7
6
—
(9) $
(22) $
(1) $
(13) $
(1) $
(33) $
(7)
1
8
2
(1)
(2)
3
—
(1)
(6)
(7)
—
—
—
(14)
(14)
(1)
(20)
As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-01 in fiscal 2019, the Company reclassified $8 million in unrecognized losses on
equity securities that had previously been recorded to other comprehensive income (loss), through a cumulative addition
to deficit in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 1, 2018. The Company recognized approximately $14 million on
the change in fair value from instrument-specific credit risk associated with the 3.75% Debentures that had previously
been recorded to deficit through a cumulative increase to accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated
balance sheet as of March 1, 2018.
During the year ended February 28, 2021, nil gains or losses (pre-tax and post-tax) associated with cash flow hedges were
reclassified from AOCL into selling, marketing and administration expenses (February 29, 2020 - nil gains or losses).
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
(a) Letters of Credit
The Company has $28 million in collateralized outstanding letters of credit in support of certain leasing arrangements
entered into in the ordinary course of business as of February 28, 2021. See the discussion of restricted cash and restricted
short-term investments in Note 3.
102
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
(b) Contingencies
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 and subject the Company to significant liabilities.
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 28, 2021, there are no material 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 claims that have allegedly been infringed or the products that are alleged to
infringe; 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.
The Company has included the following summaries of certain of its legal proceedings though they do not meet the test
for accrual described above.
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 in the U.S. and Canada alleging that 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.
On March 14, 2014, the four putative U.S. class actions were consolidated in the U.S. District Court for the Southern
District of New York, and on May 27, 2014, a consolidated amended class action complaint was filed. On March 13,
2015, the Court issued an order granting the Company’s motion to dismiss. The Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion for
reconsideration and for leave to file an amended complaint on November 13, 2015. On August 24, 2016, the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the District Court order dismissing the complaint, but vacated the order denying
leave to amend and remanded to the District Court for further proceedings in connection with the plaintiffs’ request for
leave to amend. The Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for leave to amend on September 13, 2017. On September 29,
2017, the plaintiffs filed a second consolidated amended class action complaint (the “Second Amended Complaint”),
which added the Company’s former Chief Legal Officer as a defendant. The Court denied the motion to dismiss the
Second Amended Complaint on March 19, 2018. On January 4, 2019, the Court issued an order placing the case on its
suspense calendar but allowed fact and expert discovery to continue. On August 2, 2019, the Magistrate Judge issued a
Report and Recommendation that the Court grant the defendants’ motion for judgment on the pleadings dismissing the
claims of additional plaintiffs Cho and Ulug. On September 24, 2019, the District Court Judge accepted the Magistrate
Judge’s recommendation and dismissed the claims of Cho and Ulug against all defendants. On October 17, 2019, Cho and
103
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
Ulug filed a Notice of Appeal. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court judgment dismissing Cho
and Ulug’s claims on March 11, 2021. The District Court removed the case from its suspense calendar on May 29, 2020.
Plaintiffs filed a motion for class certification on June 8, 2020, the defendants filed oppositions on August 10, 2020, and
the plaintiffs filed a reply on September 28, 2020. All discovery was completed as of November 13, 2020. On January 26,
2021, the District Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion for class certification. On February 9, 2021, the defendants filed a
Rule 23(f) petition for interlocutory review of the class certification order with the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. The
plaintiffs filed an opposition to the Rule 23(f) petition on February 19, 2021, and the defendants filed a motion for leave to
file a reply in support of the petition on February 26, 2021. On February 8, 2021, the Magistrate Judge set a settlement
conference for May 19, 2021. On February 15, 2021, the District Court set the following briefing schedule for dispositive
motions: motions due April 19, 2021, oppositions due June 18, 2021, and replies due July 19, 2021.
On July 23, 2014, the plaintiffs in the putative Ontario class action 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. Before that motion was heard, the parties agreed to limit the class to
purchasers who reside in Canada or purchased on the Toronto Stock Exchange. On November 15, 2018, the Court denied
the Company’s motion for leave to appeal the order granting the plaintiffs leave to file a statutory claim for
misrepresentation. On February 5, 2019, the Court entered an order certifying a class comprised persons (a) who
purchased BlackBerry common shares between March 28, 2013, and September 20, 2013, and still held at least some of
those shares as of September 20, 2013, and (b) who acquired those shares on a Canadian stock exchange or acquired those
shares on any other stock exchange and were a resident of Canada when the shares were acquired. Notice of class
certification was published on March 6, 2019. The Company filed its Statement of Defence on April 1, 2019, and
discovery is proceeding.
On February 15, 2017, a putative employment class action was filed against the Company in the Ontario Superior Court of
Justice. The Statement of Claim alleges that actions the Company took when certain of its employees decided to accept
offers of employment from Ford Motor Company of Canada amounted to a wrongful termination of the employees’
employment with the Company. The claim seeks (i) an unspecified quantum of statutory, contractual, or common law
termination entitlements; (ii) punitive or breach of duty of good faith damages of CAD$20,000,000, or such other amount
as the Court finds appropriate, (iii) pre- and post- judgment interest, (iv) attorneys’ fees and costs, and (v) such other relief
as the Court deems just. The Court granted the plaintiffs’ motion to certify the class action on May 27, 2019. The
Company commenced a motion for leave to appeal the certification order on June 11, 2019. The Court denied the motion
for leave to appeal on September 17, 2019. The Company filed its Statement of Defence on December 19, 2019, and
discovery is proceeding.
Other contingencies
As at February 28, 2021, the Company has received $15 million (February 29, 2020 - $10 million) in funds from claims
filed with the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada relating to its Strategic Innovation
Fund program’s investment in BlackBerry QNX. A portion of this amount may be repayable in the future under certain
circumstances if certain terms and conditions are not met by the Company, which is not probable at this time.
(c) Settlements, net
Panasonic settlement agreement
In fiscal 2019, the Company and Panasonic Corporation entered into a settlement agreement whereby the Company
received approximately $12 million in connection with previously purchased components utilized by the legacy handheld
devices business. This amount, net of legal costs of approximately $3 million, was recorded within settlements, net on the
consolidated statements of operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019.
(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 supply, availability and pricing risks. The Company has also entered into various
agreements for the supply of components, and the manufacturing of its products; 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 risks of supply shortages.
104
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
(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 that could arise by reason of their status as directors or officers. The Company maintains
liability insurance coverage for the benefit of the Company, and its current and former directors and executive officers.
The Company has not encountered material costs as a result of such indemnifications in fiscal 2021. See the Company’s
Management Information Circular for its 2020 annual meeting of shareholders for additional information regarding the
Company’s indemnification agreements with its current and former directors and executive officers.
12. LEASES
The Company has operating and finance leases primarily for corporate offices, research and development facilities, data
centers and certain equipment. The Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of between one year and seven years,
some of which may include options to extend the lease for up to 10 years, and some of which may include options to
terminate the lease within three months.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
Operating lease cost, included in selling, marketing and administration
Finance lease cost
Amortization of ROU assets, included in amortization
Interest on lease liabilities, included in investment income, net
Total finance lease cost
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
$
$
$
30 $
1 $
—
1 $
33
2
—
2
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Cash used in operating activities related to operating lease payments
$
Cash used in financing activities related to finance lease payments
37 $
1
40
2
During the year ended February 28, 2021, the Company entered into $4 million in lease obligations and recognized a
corresponding ROU asset of $4 million. During the year ended February 28, 2021, the Company incurred losses of
$37 million on LLA impairment of ROU assets, as described in Note 3. The Company also had sublease income of
$1 million and incurred $2 million in short-term lease costs during the year ended February 28, 2021.
During the year ended February 29, 2020, the Company entered into $1 million in lease obligations and recognized a
corresponding ROU asset of $1 million. During the year ended February 29, 2020, the Company incurred losses of
$8 million on LLA impairment of ROU assets, as described in Note 3. The Company also had sublease income of
$2 million and incurred $2 million in short-term lease costs during the year ended February 29, 2020.
105
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
Supplemental consolidated balance sheet information related to leases was as follows:
Operating leases
Operating lease assets
Operating lease ROU assets
Operating lease liabilities
Accrued liabilities
Operating lease liabilities
Total operating lease liabilities
Finance leases
Finance lease assets
Property, plant and equipment
Accumulated amortization
Total finance lease assets
Finance lease liabilities
Accrued liabilities
Other long-term liabilities
Total finance lease liabilities
Weighted average remaining lease term
Operating leases
Finance leases
Weighted average discount rate
Operating lease
Finance leases
As at
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
124
31
120
151
5
(4)
1
1
—
1
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
63 $
33 $
90
123 $
3 $
(3)
— $
— $
—
— $
As at
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
4.7 years
0.9 years
5.5 years
1.3 years
3.4 %
2.5 %
3.6 %
2.2 %
106
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
Maturities of undiscounted lease liabilities were as follows:
Fiscal year 2022
Fiscal year 2023
Fiscal year 2024
Fiscal year 2025
Fiscal year 2026
Thereafter
Total future minimum lease payments
Less:
Imputed interest
Total
13. REVENUE AND SEGMENT DISCLOSURES
Revenue
As at
February 28, 2021
Operating Leases
Finance Leases
$
36 $
30
22
17
12
16
133
$
(10)
123 $
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers based on geographical regions, timing of revenue
recognition, and the major product and service types as described in Note 1.
The Company’s revenue, classified by major geographic region in which the Company’s customers are located, was as
follows:
North America (1)
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Other regions
Total
February 28, 2021
For the Years Ended
February 29, 2020
$
$
633
197
63
893
70.9 % $
22.1 %
7.0 %
743
221
76
71.4 % $
21.3 %
7.3 %
100.0 % $
1,040
100.0 % $
February 28, 2019
599
222
83
904
66.2 %
24.6 %
9.2 %
100.0 %
______________________________
(1) North America includes all revenue from the Company’s intellectual property arrangements, due to the global
applicability of the patent portfolio and licensing arrangements thereof.
Total revenue, classified by product and service type (see Note 1), was as follows:
Software and Services
Licensing and Other
Total
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
$
621 $
272
893 $
691 $
349
1,040 $
559
345
904
Revenue, classified by timing of recognition, was as follows:
Products and services transferred over time
Products and services transferred at a point in time
Total
For the Year Ended
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
$
476 $
417
893 $
512 $
528
1,040 $
488
416
904
107
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 contract balances
The following table sets forth the activity in the Company’s revenue contract balances for the fiscal year ended February
28, 2021:
Accounts
Receivable
Deferred
Revenue
Deferred
Commissions
Opening balance as at February 29, 2020
Increases due to invoicing of new or existing contracts, associated
contract acquisition costs, or other
Decrease due to payment, fulfillment of performance obligations, or
other
Increase (decrease), net
$
267 $
373 $
842
574
(921)
(79)
(653)
(79)
Closing balance as at February 28, 2021
$
188 $
294 $
28
23
(30)
(7)
21
Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations
The table below discloses the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to performance obligations that are
unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied as at February 28, 2021 and the time frame in which the Company expects to recognize
this revenue. The disclosure includes estimates of variable consideration, except when the variable consideration is a
sales-based or usage-based royalty promised in exchange for a license of intellectual property.
As at February 28, 2021
Less than 12
Months
12 to 24 Months
Thereafter
Total
Remaining performance obligations
$
239 $
62 $
23 $
324
Revenue recognized for performance obligations satisfied in prior periods
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, $2 million in revenue was recognized relating to performance obligations
satisfied in a prior period (fiscal year ended February 29, 2020 - $1 million, in revenue recognized relating to performance
obligations satisfied in a prior period; fiscal year ended February 28, 2019 - $11 million in revenue recognized relating to
the legacy handheld devices business).
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 is the Executive Chair and
CEO, reviews financial information, makes decisions and assesses the performance of the Company as a single operating
segment.
Property, plant and equipment, intangible assets, operating lease ROU assets and goodwill, classified by geographic
segments in which the Company’s assets are located, were as follows:
As at
February 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
Property, Plant and
Equipment, Intangible
Assets, Operating
Lease ROU Assets and
Goodwill
Total Assets
Property, Plant and
Equipment, Intangible
Assets, Operating
Lease ROU Assets and
Goodwill
Total Assets
$
$
289 $
504 $
374 $
1,411
31
1,963
351
2,132
40
1,731 $
2,818 $
2,546 $
657
3,071
160
3,888
Canada
United States
Other
108
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
Information About Major Customers
There was one customer that comprised 22% of the Company’s revenue in fiscal 2021 (fiscal 2020 - one customer that
comprised 13%; fiscal 2019 - one customer that comprised more than 10%).
14. 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 28, 2021
February 29, 2020
February 28, 2019
$
15 $
23 $
5
2
8
9
24
6
15
Advertising expense, which includes media, agency and promotional expenses totaling $24 million is included in selling,
marketing and administration expenses for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021. (February 29, 2020 - $39 million;
February 28, 2019 - $22 million)
Selling, marketing and administration expenses for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021 included $1 million with
respect to foreign exchange gain, net of foreign exchange hedging (February 29, 2020 - nil; February 28, 2019 - gain of $2
million).
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 revenue in fiscal 2021 was transacted in U.S. dollars. Portions
of the revenue were denominated in Canadian dollars, euros and British pounds. Other expenses, consisting mainly of
salaries and certain other operating costs, were incurred primarily in Canadian dollars, but were also incurred in U.S.
dollars, euros and British pounds. At February 28, 2021, approximately 20% of cash and cash equivalents, 25% of
accounts receivable and 34% of accounts payable were denominated in foreign currencies (February 29, 2020 – 12%, 17%
and 17%, 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.
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 as described in Note 7. 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 Debentures. The Company does not currently utilize interest rate derivative instruments to hedge its
investment portfolio or changes in the market value of the Debentures.
Credit risk
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 28, 2021, no single issuer represented more than 13% of the total cash, cash equivalents and investments
(February 29, 2020 - no single issuer represented more than 8% of the total cash, cash equivalents and investments),
representing cash balances at one of the Company’s banking counterparties.
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
109
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
counterparties on a daily basis, subject to exposure and transfer thresholds. As at February 28, 2021, the Company had nil
collateral posted or held with counterparties (February 29, 2020 - $1 million in collateral posted).
Liquidity risk
Cash, cash equivalents, and investments were approximately $804 million as at February 28, 2021. The Company’s
management remains focused on maintaining appropriate cash balances, efficiently managing working capital balances
and managing the liquidity needs of the business. 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.
Government subsidies
During the first quarter of fiscal 2021, the Government of Canada announced the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy
(“CEWS”) for Canadian employers whose businesses were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, initially running for a
thirty-six week period between March and November 2020. The program was subsequently extended to December 2020
and the Government of Canada has announced plans for an additional extension to June 2021. The CEWS originally
provided a subsidy of up to 75% of eligible employees’ employment insurable remuneration, subject to certain criteria,
which declined to up to 65% for a period of time before returning to 75%. Accordingly, the Company applied for the
CEWS to the extent it met the requirements to receive the subsidy and during the year ended February 28, 2021, recorded
$53 million in government subsidies as a reduction to operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations.
110
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL
DISCLOSURE.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
As of February 28, 2021, 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:
•
•
•
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.
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 28, 2021. 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 concludes
that, as of February 28, 2021, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of February 28, 2021 has been audited by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which appears herein.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the three months ended February 28, 2021, 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.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
111
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
A list of our executive officers appears in Part I, Item 1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
PART III
The information required by this item will be included in our 2021 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within
120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference.
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 can be viewed
on the Company’s website at https://www.blackberry.com/ca/en/company/investors/corporate-governance-global.
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 the NYSE, 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), Ms. Disbrow, 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, 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
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.
Lisa Disbrow – Ms. Disbrow has a BA from the University of Virginia, an MA from The George Washington University in
International Relations, and an MS from The National War College in National Strategy. She was the Senate-confirmed Under
Secretary of the United States Air Force from January 2015 to June 2017, the second senior-most official leading a global
organization of over 660,000 personnel and an annual budget exceeding $135 billion. Ms. Disbrow served as Acting Secretary
of the U.S. Air Force from January 2017 to May 2017. She was also the Senate-confirmed, chief financial officer of the Air
Force from 2014 through 2018, as the Assistant Secretary for Financial Management and Comptroller. Ms. Disbrow was
commissioned into the U.S. Air Force in 1985 and retired after 23 years as Colonel having worked primarily in intelligence
operations, operational plans, and program budgeting. Over the course of her federal civilian career, she held leadership and
analytic positions at the White House, on the Joint Staff and at the National Reconnaissance Office. Ms. Disbrow is a director
of Mercury Systems, Inc., Perspecta Inc., Hensoldt, Inc., and the Sequa Corporation.
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 Scientific Officer and Chief Medical Officer of NDA
Group AB (which merged in 2016 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, where
she also developed and led Business Risk Management for the company. In addition, she served as CEO of Phytomedics, an
early stage biopharmaceutical company focused on arthritis and inflammation. Dr. Smaldone Alsup has extensive risk
112
management and executive leadership experience and is a director of Arvinas, Inc., Kinnate Biopharma Inc. and Theravance
Biopharma, Inc.
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 a director
of Champion Iron Limited and Canadian Utilities Limited. In 2017, he was invested into the Order of Canada as an officer. 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 each of Ms. Stymiest and Ms. Disbrow is an audit committee financial expert within the
meaning of General Instruction B(8)(a) of Form 10-K 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.
Enterprise Risk Management
The Company recognizes that risks are associated with delivering on its strategy and achieving its corporate objectives.
Managing these risks is an essential part of the Company’s business and the Company aims to promote a culture of risk
management and compliance at all levels in the organization. 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:
•
•
•
•
•
•
promote effective corporate governance and decision-making by enabling the consistent identification and evaluation
of risk on a consolidated basis;
ensure that risks are managed proactively and appropriately 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.
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’s four risk categories are: (i) strategy and innovation, (ii) operations, (iii) legal,
compliance and reputation, and (iv) financial management and reporting. The Company’s risk profile is regularly assessed
against the risk appetite statement, which is reviewed and updated as the Company’s business strategy and operating
environment evolve.
Risk Governance and Oversight
The Company utilizes a “three lines of defense” governance structure to 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
113
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 internal audit function comprises the third line of defense, providing independent assurance of the effectiveness of
the Company’s risk management activities and internal controls related to (i) financial reporting and integrity and (ii)
other areas of risk as assigned by the Audit and Risk Management Committee from time to time, including
cybersecurity risk. The internal audit function may also review the governance structures and mandates of 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.
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. The Board is ultimately responsible for overseeing the
Company’s risk identification, assessment, management, monitoring and reporting activities. The Audit and Risk Management
Committee assists the Board with the oversight of enterprise risk management at the Company, including risk assessment, risk
compliance, the internal audit function and the controls, processes and policies used to manage the Company’s risk. The
Compensation, Nomination and Governance Committee of the Board also assists the Board with the oversight of risk
management and controls with respect to the Company’s compensation policies and practices, including the administration of
the Company’s equity-based compensation plans.
Since June 2015, the Chief Information Officer or Chief Information Security Officer has provided regular updates to the Board
on the advancing maturity of the Company’s cybersecurity program, including reports on threat monitoring, penetration testing,
vulnerability remediation, encryption efforts and compliance activities. The updates also include reports on the Company’s
third-party cybersecurity accreditations and certifications, including the Company’s progress toward achieving SOC 2
certification, and on the advancement of the Company’s security posture. The Company is executing on a multi-year
cybersecurity resiliency improvement plan to improve processes, technology and governance to mitigate threats, and in fiscal
2021 proactively developed a COVID-19 cybersecurity threat response plan.
The Company also includes risks related to climate change and other environmental, social and governance (“ESG”)
considerations as part of its enterprise risk management process.
Ethical Business Conduct and Code of Business Standards and Principles
The Company maintains and follows a written code of business standards and principles (the “Code”) that applies to, and is
acknowledged annually by, all of the directors, officers and employees of the Company. The Code is a statement of principles
designed to promote a culture of integrity and to help ensure that the Company operates its business in an ethical and legally-
compliant manner. The Code incorporates by reference a number of policies and guidelines, including the Company’s
Prevention of Improper Payments Policy and Insider Trading Policy, that provide guidance to employees concerning business
choices, decisions and behaviours. The Code expressly provides that acknowledgment of the Code is a condition of
employment, as is completion of all assigned training related to the Code and related policies and guidelines.
The Board, through the Audit and Risk Management Committee, receives reports on compliance with the Code, including
regarding the Company’s annual program to have employees acknowledge that they have read, understand and will comply
with the Code. The Company maintains a whistleblower program and makes whistleblower reporting available to employees
and external parties via a web and telephone hotline-based system supplied and operated by a third party that specializes in such
reporting systems. The system allows individuals to make whistleblower reports, including anonymously, to the Company or
directly to the Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee via the BlackBerry EthicsLink system and enables the
Company or the Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Committee, as appropriate, to follow up directly with the reporter
while maintaining his or her anonymity. Employees have been advised of the whistleblower program as part of the Company’s
annual Code acknowledgement program. Management reports on the status of whistleblower reports to the Audit and Risk
Management Committee at its quarterly meetings. The Company has not filed any material change report since the beginning of
Fiscal 2020 that pertains to any conduct of a director or executive officer that constitutes a departure from the Code.
In addition, the Board is responsible for overseeing, directly and through its committees, an appropriate compliance program for
the Company. The Company’s Risk Management and Compliance Council (the “RMCC”), a council of internal senior leaders
which supports the Company’s enterprise risk management activities, and the Company’s Security Risk and Compliance
Committee oversee and assist management in maintaining the Company’s compliance program and policies. The RMCC
reports to the Chief Executive Officer and meets at least quarterly with the Chief Risk Officer serving as the Chair. The Chair of
the RMCC also makes a report to the Audit and Risk Management Committee, at least quarterly, on its activities. Randall Cook,
114
the Company’s Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, serves as the Chief Compliance Officer and Chief Risk Officer of
the Company.
The Code is available on the Company’s website at us.blackberry.com/company/investors/corporate-governance.html, or upon
request to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at its executive office, 2200 University Avenue East, Waterloo, Ontario,
N2K 0A7. If we make any substantive amendments to the finance code of ethics or grant any waiver, including any implicit
waiver, from a provision of the code to our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer, we will disclose the nature of
the amendment or waiver on that website or in a report on Form 8-K.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item will be included in our 2021 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within
120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item will be included in our 2021 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within
120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item will be included in our 2021 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within
120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item will be included in our 2021 Proxy Statement, which will be filed with the SEC within
120 days after the end of our fiscal year ended February 28, 2021, and is incorporated herein by reference.
115
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Financial Statements and Schedules
PART IV
The financial statements filed as part of this filing are listed on the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.
Financial statement schedules have been omitted since they either are not required, not applicable, or the information is
otherwise included in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes in Item 8.
Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
10.1†
10.2†
10.3†
10.4†
10.5†
10.6†
10.7†
10.8†
10.9†
10.10†
Description of Exhibit
Articles of Amalgamation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s
Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-192986), filed with the SEC on December 20, 2013)
Amended and Restated By-law No. A3 of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Document 1 in the
Registrant’s Report on Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on May 15, 2014)
Amended and Restated By-law No. A4 of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Document 2 in the
Registrant’s Report on Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on June 13, 2014)
Specimen Common Share Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-192986), filed with the SEC on December 20, 2013)
Trust Indenture, dated September 7, 2016, by and among BlackBerry Limited, as the issuer, the guarantors
named therein, and BNY Trust Company of Canada, as trustee, providing for the issue of 3.75% Convertible
Unsecured Debentures due November 13, 2020 (including form of Debenture) (incorporated by reference to
Registrant’s Report on Form 6-K, furnished to the SEC on September 8, 2016)
Description of Registered Securities (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the Registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-38232), filed with the SEC on April 7, 2020)
Indenture dated September 1, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the current report on Form 8-K
filed by the Company on September 2, 2020)
First Supplemental Indenture dated August 28, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the current
report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on September 2, 2020)
Second Supplemental Indenture dated August 28, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the current
report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on September 2, 2020)
Amended and Restated BlackBerry Limited Equity Incentive Plan Amended and Restated Deferred Share Unit
Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K
(File No. 001-38232), filed with the SEC on April 7, 2020)
Amended and Restated Deferred Share Unit Plan for Directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-38232), filed with the SEC on April 7, 2020)
Form of restricted share unit agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Registrant’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-38232), filed with the SEC on April 7, 2020)
Form of performance based restricted share unit agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the
Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-38232), filed with the SEC on April 7, 2020)
Form of indemnification agreement for directors and executive officers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.5 to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-38232), filed with the SEC on April 7,
2020)
Employment agreement with John Chen, dated November 3, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6
to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-38232), filed with the SEC on April 7, 2020)
Employment agreement with Steve Rai, dated September 23, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7
to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-38232), filed with the SEC on April 7, 2020)
Employment agreement with Billy Ho, dated March 17, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the
current report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 25, 2020)
Employment agreement with Nita White-Ivy, dated April 7, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to
the current report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 25, 2020)
Employment agreement with Randall Cook, dated August 6, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3
to the current report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 25, 2020)
116
10.11†
10.12†
10.13†
21*
23.1*
23.2*
31.1*
31.2*
32.1††
32.2††
101*
101*
101*
101*
101*
101*
104
Employment agreement with Steven Capelli, dated September 23, 2019 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.4 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on June 25, 2020)
Consent Agreement with Hamblin Watsa Investment Counsel Ltd. dated July 21, 2020 (incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 99.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on August 24, 2020)
Subscription Agreement dated August 31, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report
on Form 8-K filed by the Company on September 2, 2020)
List of subsidiaries
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Consent of Ernst and Young LLP
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(a)
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 13a-14(a)
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
XBRL Instance Document – the document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags
are embedded within the inline XBRL document
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
Cover Page Interactive Data File – formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101
______________________________
* Filed herewith
† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
†† Furnished (and not filed) herewith pursuant to Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of the SEC’s Regulation S-K
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
117
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this
report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
Date: March 31, 2021
BLACKBERRY LIMITED
By:
/s/ John Chen
Name:
John Chen
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
By:
Name:
Title:
/s/ Steve Rai
Steve Rai
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
118
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
DIRECTORS
SIGNATURE
/s/ JOHN CHEN
John Chen
/s/ V. PREM WATSA
Prem Watsa
/s/ MICHAEL DANIELS
Michael Daniels
/s/ TIMOTHY DATTELS
Timothy Dattels
/s/ LISA DISBROW
Lisa Disbrow
/s/ RICHARD LYNCH
Richard Lynch
/s/ LAURIE SMALDONE ALSUP
Laurie Smaldone Alsup
/s/ BARBARA STYMIEST
Barbara Stymiest
/s/ WAYNE WOUTERS
Wayne Wouters
CAPACITY
DATE
Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
March 31, 2021
Lead Director
March 31, 2021
Director
March 31, 2021
Director
March 31, 2021
Director
March 31, 2021
Director
March 31, 2021
Director
March 31, 2021
Director
March 31, 2021
Director
March 31, 2021
119