Samsung keen to buy BlackBerry for $7.5 billion

Samsung, who have seen their troubles mount of late, are reportedly in talks to buy blackBerry, who have a storied history of their own. The deal is worth up to $7.5 billion, and will give Samsung access to BlackBerry’s patent portfolio. Sources are indicating BlackBerry’s impressive patent portfolio is what Samsung is seeking, not necessarily a wholesale buyout and operational takeover. The buyout is reportedly on the table for $13.35 to $15.49 per share, or 38-60% over what BlackBerry currently trades at.

According to Reuters, Samsung is offering $6 billion to $7 billion, with a $1.25 in convertible debt.
Executives from Samsung and BlackBerry reportedly met with advisors last week to discuss the deal. Though the report doesn’t say as much, the meeting may have taken place as CES, where both had top-level execs milling about. Samsung competes with BlackBerry for enterprise security, where KNOX takes dead aim at BlackBerry’s main attraction. Access to the patents BlackBerry holds could make Samsung’s devices much more secure.

The deal may have also come about as a means to thwart off another major lawsuit, if Samsung were to have stepped on any BlackBerry patents unwittingly. We still wonder why the deal is being entertained, if it is. Samsung has seen a sharp decline of late, and BlackBerry is on a bit of a rebound.

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