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    Novell Inc. has reached a deal in principle to sell itself in two parts

    Discussion in 'Linux Compatibility and Software' started by cassar, Sep 20, 2010.

  1. cassar

    cassar Notebook Evangelist

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    from Nypost

    Novell Inc. has reached a deal in principle to sell itself in two parts, and is three to four weeks away from signing a deal, according to people close to the process.

    A strategic buyer will buy the piece of the software provider that develops and delivers Linux SUSE systems, with a private-equity firm picking up much of the rest. Both deals are expected to close simultaneously and the company will be de-listed, according to one source, who noted that the talks are in a sensitive stage and could fall apart.

    Novell declined to comment.

    The sources would not say who the potential buyers are.

    Hedge fund Elliott Associates made an offer to buy Waltham, Mass.-based Novell in March for $5.75 per share that was rejected. Proceeds to shareholders from these two deals would exceed that amount, a source said.

    Novell closed at $5.57 a share. It agreed to explore a sale when it rejected the Elliott offer.
     
    cassar, Sep 20, 2010
    #1
  2. Thomas

    Thomas McLovin

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    I'm holding final judgment until I see the potential buyers but for now it doesn't look good.
     
    Thomas, Sep 20, 2010
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  3. ALLurGroceries

    ALLurGroceries  Vegan Vermin Super Moderator

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    ALLurGroceries, Sep 20, 2010
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  4. v1k1ng1001

    v1k1ng1001 Notebook Deity

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    I've never been a big SUSE fan myself so I have no immediate reaction one way or another.

    What are the wider consequences for GNU/Linux more generally?
     
    v1k1ng1001, Sep 21, 2010
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  5. debguy

    debguy rip dmr

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    The strength of Linux is its diversity. And losing a mayor distribution weakens Linux as a whole at this point.
    Additionally there is the commercial Linux market, which currently is mainly served by Red Hat, Novell and Canonical. If Novell leaves this market (or maybe even worse: gets swallowed by Red Hat), the danger of a monopoly rises significantly.

    Losing alternatives is always a bad thing, no matter what one personally thinks of the specific distribution.
     
    debguy, Sep 21, 2010
    #5