It is the symbol for copyright. You can type it by holding down the c button and rolling the trackball. That is how you get to lots of alternate characters.
Rim shows only 2 status symbols ,
D - indicates that the message has been delivered to the recipient
R - indicates that the message has been read by the recipient.
I think the OP means next to a contact's name in BBM. You can edit your own display name in BBM and add extra characters, such as holding down the C key and scrolling the trackball to the right. You'll see the copyright symbol the OP asked about.
__________________ No longer a BES Admin, but it was fun while it lasted!