Microsoft and Research In Motion to Bring Enterprise IM to BlackBerry

REDMOND, Wash., and WATERLOO, Ontario — April 18, 2005 — Microsoft Corp. and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM; TSX: RIM) today announced a product collaboration and joint marketing agreement to extend enterprise instant messaging (IM) and presence to BlackBerry® subscribers through connectivity with Microsoft® Office Live Communications Server 2005 and BlackBerry Enterprise Server (TM).

Companies are using Live Communications Server to deploy enterprise-grade IM and presence capabilities across their networks and through federated connections with other organizations running Live Communications Server. Based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and SIP for Instant Messaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE) standards, Live Communications Server provides a platform for the development of custom real-time communications solutions that span PC networks, desk phone systems and mobile devices. The combined Microsoft-RIM solution is designed to extend rich Live Communications Server features to employees using BlackBerry, enabling mobile professionals to transmit instant messages and share presence-based information to maintain real-time connectivity with colleagues, partners and customers while they are away from the office.

“Instant messaging and presence are playing an increasingly important role in helping information workers stay in touch with critical business contacts and make better decisions, faster,” said Gurdeep Pall, corporate vice president for the Real-Time Collaboration Group at Microsoft. “Extending these valuable communications tools from the desktop, with Microsoft Office Communicator, to mobile devices like BlackBerry is a core element of our vision for integrated communications, which aims to unify communications across PCs, phones and mobile devices so people can communicate and collaborate more effectively and efficiently. We are excited about expanding our vibrant developer partner ecosystem to include providers of rich mobile solutions, like BlackBerry, to further extend and enhance the Live Communications experience.”

“Enterprise customers around the world have chosen BlackBerry for its ability to keep employees connected to timely communications and information. Together with Microsoft, we are extending the benefits of Live Communications Server to mobile BlackBerry users and enhancing personal and workgroup communications,” said Jim Balsillie, chairman and co-CEO of Research In Motion. “Enterprise instant messaging capabilities for BlackBerry with Live Communications Server mark another important and expansive step for wireless enterprise connectivity.”

RIM is working to develop a Live Communications Server Client for BlackBerry that provides security-enhanced Live Communications Server IM connectivity between mobile BlackBerry users and their Live Communications Server enterprise deployment. Through this agreement, Microsoft and RIM plan to extend the benefits of Live Communications Server to the many companies and government organizations using BlackBerry around the world.

RIM expects to have product availability by the end of the year, with a trial in September 2005. Further information regarding product specifications will be available at a later date.

About Research In Motion

Research In Motion is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of innovative wireless solutions for the worldwide mobile communications market. Through the development of integrated hardware, software and services that support multiple wireless network standards, RIM provides platforms and solutions for seamless access to time-sensitive information including e-mail, phone, SMS messaging, Internet and intranet-based applications. RIM technology also enables a broad array of third party developers and manufacturers to enhance their products and services with wireless connectivity. RIM’s portfolio of award-winning products, services and embedded technologies are used by thousands of organizations around the world and include the BlackBerry® wireless platform, the RIM Wireless Handheld (TM) product line, software development tools and software/hardware licensing agreements. Founded in 1984 and based in Waterloo, Ontario, RIM operates offices in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. RIM is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market (Nasdaq: RIMM) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RIM). For more information, visit http://www.rim.com or http://www.blackberry.com.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential

Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used herein, words such as “intend” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions made by and information available to Research In Motion Limited. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, possible product defects and product liability, risks related to international sales and potential foreign currency exchange fluctuations, the initiation or outcome of litigation, acts or potential acts of terrorism, international conflicts, significant fluctuations of quarterly operating results, changes in Canadian and foreign laws and regulations, continued acceptance of RIM’s products, increased levels of competition, technological changes and the successful development of new products, dependence on third-party networks to provide services, dependence on intellectual property rights and other risks and factors detailed from time to time in RIM’s periodic reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and other regulatory authorities. The Company has no intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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