BlackBerry shares up on possible takeover by Google or Samsung

BlackBerry shares are up about 3.6% thanks to a report that says several major tech players are interested in buying parts or all of the struggling Canadian phone maker.

Google, Samsung, Cisco, Intel, SAP and LG are all among the tech companies interested in buying up BlackBerry, according to Reuters.

Citing unnamed sources, Reuters said any deals involving the companies listed above would be alternatives to the preliminary agreement BlackBerry already has in place with Fairfax Financial Holdings, which is willing to pay $4.7 billion for all of BlackBerry.

PHOTOS: Top 11 hidden, cool features in Apple’s iOS 7

So why are so many notable companies interested in BlackBerry? Although BlackBerry’s handset business is floundering, it still has a lot of value in the secure server network that is used to send its BBM messages.

BlackBerry also holds a notable patent portfolio, which others in the tech world may want to grab in order to block lawsuits from their rivals.

None of the companies mentioned in the report has officially announced interest, but rumors alone are helping to increase BlackBerry’s stock price to $7.97 per share, at the time of this writing. That’s up from Friday’s close of $7.69 per share.

ALSO:

Three things we want from Instagram on its 3rd birthday

Samsung plays up famous TV smartwatches to promote Galaxy Gear

South Korea scorches China in computer game battle at Staples Center