RIM looking to license out BlackBerry software in strategic shift

RIM has hired a financial advisor to help evaluate its business, with the prospect of licensing BlackBerry software out to third-parties high on the agenda.

That's according to a report on Bloomberg, which claims the company is looking to secure a deal with a bank to enable the business to change direction.

All possible options with other mobile manufacturers including a strategic investments - are apparently on the table.

Drastic changes ahead

The news comes as RIM fights to regain market share having lost ground in recent years to both iOS and Android.

The firm has previously toyed with the idea of licensing off its proprietory network to carriers an idea originally put forward to the company board by former co-CEO Jim Balsillie before his departure.

Following the company's recent financial reports that saw it posting quarterly losses of $125 million, new CEO Thorsten Hein's said that RIM would consider all options in order to make "substantial change" to regain its relevance in the mobile market.

[source: Bloomberg]