Research in Motion may not be in its best possible shape, but the BlackBerry brand still holds undeniable value in certain markets, which only increases the possibility of it becoming a target for foreign acquisition.

Given RIM’s status as a poster boy for Canadian innovation, it remains to be known that whether or not the Canadian Government will allow something like that. If the Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s comments are anything to go by, then it seems like the Government would not block such a happening. A previous attempt of foreign takeover was thwarted when Australian mining firm BHP tried to buy out fertilizer group PostashCorp, on the grounds that it would not provide a ‘net benefit’ to the country. But, a healthy RIM will be a boon for the Canadian economy, and with the company losing its status as the top domestic smartphone for the fist time last year, foreign assistance may be exactly what they need.