Research In Motion (RIM) is opening its doors to would-be BlackBerry application developers.

The company announced on Tuesday that it is accepting submissions for its upcoming BlackBerry application store.

RIM announced its intention to create the software service in October. The store is due to launch later this year and is expected to compete with such services as Apple's App Store and Google's Android Market.

Vendors seeking to distribute software for the service will need to register with the company and provide personal information and a valid PayPal account.

Registered vendors will then be allowed to submit their software to RIM. The company will decide on whether to include the submission in the store, and then notify the developer of its decision.

Apple uses a similar evaluation process for its iPhone and iPod Touch software store, while Google has promised to keep the Android Market open to all submissions.

Both services, however, use 'kill switch' systems in which applications can be automatically deactivated in the event of a malware outbreak.