Research In Motion, still smarting over having to change the name of its yet-to-come operating system, faces a similar trademark challenge to its popular instant-messaging service, BlackBerry Messenger.

The service, which allows BlackBerry users to send each other text and multimedia files and see when they are delivered and read, is widely known and even promoted by RIM via the shorthand BBM.

That proved to be an encumbrance to a company called BBM Canada, which measures radio and TV audience data and expects its day in a federal court against RIM by February.

Earlier this month RIM dumped the “BBX” name for its new operating system after being served with an injunction.