There’s been speculation that Microsoft Corp. might buy either RIM or Nokia to boost its profile in the smartphone game. In that light, it’s arguable that Apple should consider preemptively purchasing one or the other or both. Buying RIM would enhance Apple’s iPhone profile in the lucrative enterprise and institutional sectors, and secure the proprietary and popular BlackBerry messenger service (BBM) which offers a free alternative to texting (SMS), as well as preempting Microsoft (or KOrea’s Samsung) from acquiring the company.

It seems like everyone is suing everyone else, mostly over patents, and it can be hard to keep up with what’s been happening. Starting this month, Appletell will summarize all the twists and turns in the legal dramas so you’ll be informed with what’s been happening. This, month we take a quick look at Lodsys, Software Restore solutions, Openwave Systems, Motorola, Samsung and more.

Up until this point, Apple’s iPhone has been the only mobile touch screen device that has been worth buying. However, a new Blackberry from RIM may soon change that for many smart phone users. The Blackberry Storm, which has no release date yet, appears to be a direct shot at both Apple and the iPhone. With a large touch screen, nice camera, and even GPS, is this the first mobile device that will be able to compete with the iPhone in the touch screen market? Early predictions point to yes.

Interestingly enough, the Storm does beat out the iPhone is some important aspects. For example…

Is Microsoft setting its sights on Research in Motion? By Steve Ballmer’s own admission, the iPhone is as much a threat to Windows Mobile as Google is to Microsoft’s search efforts. Windows Mobile has seen its market share eroded by fresher, more nimble competitors like RIM and Symbian-based smartphones. Given the lack of excitement around any new Windows Mobile devices or versions, is buying RIM a cheaper alternative?

A few years ago, Microsoft had managed to capture almost a quarter of the smartphone market with Windows Mobile. But uninspiring versions of the operating system, and several lackluster devices from various partners, have cheapened the experience, causing Windows Mobile to lose almost half of its market share to competing devices. Microsoft, in the face of actual competition, never succeeds in dominating markets—Windows took control in the post-Apple era because there was a lack of any serious competing operating systems. It is not difficult to imagine Steve Ballmer sweating over the erosion of the Windows brand in all its forms—since the Microsoft/Yahoo merger never happened, RIM could plug a hole in the (somewhat) leaky SS Windows.

Would this buyout make sense?

If you can’t beat ‘em, develop for ‘em! At the moment, that it what Research In Motion, producer of the BlackBerry, may be doing. The company has seen falls in sales of elephantine proportions since the introduction of the iPhone, and they seem to be in a hole out of which they cannot be dug. Some analysts even predict the iPhone to totally make the BlackBerry an after thought in the world of SmartPhones.

With that in mind, RIM may be hedging their bets in terms of an BlackBerry fallout. A recent company memo called for applicants for a special team, and although the exact memo is nowhere to be found, an unidentified RIM employee did leak the following to Electronista.