OSC v RIM

12:10pm

There’s lots more to say about this topic (see prior posts “BNN Market Wrap interview” January 26-09 and “Who leaked RIM’s purported $100 million OSC fine?” January 26-09). With the OSC hearing underway at 9am this morning, there is still no word yet about the actual financial penalty that will be brought to bear here. Research In Motion’s (RIM:TSX, RIMM:Q) lawyers have yet to make their submissions.

The original “ask” was $100 million as you all probably know, which apparently caused Jimmy to retort “Maybe we’ll just pay the $100-million and move RIM to Kansas” as reported by the Globe and Mail’s Andy Willis last month. One can sympathize with that sentiment.

I can see that the fine, for it to be meaningful, should be proportional to the wealth of the party in question. But that theory is at odds with our criminal and statutory court system, where fines are based upon the offence, not your personal resources.

I’m thinking a number that’s far lower. Let’s use $20 million as the over/under.

Any other guesses?

MRM