[SGVLUG] Novell has been sold

[Joel Witherspoon]

Bad news: CPTN Holdings LLC is a Microsoft Company
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
22/November/2010

Ron Hovsepian
CEO


Read the press release +

 Dear Valued Novell Customer,
I am writing to let you know that today we announced that Novell has
entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Attachmate
Corporation would acquire Novell for $6.10 per share in cash in a
transaction valued at approximately $2.2 billion.
We believe this transaction is great news for our customers. Novell
has a long history of innovation and market leadership, and this
tradition will be preserved and built upon through this transaction.
We place tremendous value on the relationships we’ve cultivated with
our customers and I can assure you that providing you with the
innovative products, solutions and support you’ve come to rely on
remains a top priority.
We can also assure you that the planned transaction with Attachmate
Corporation does not alter our obligations to honor all contractual
commitments. This includes maintenance and technical support for our
products. We continue to execute aggressively on our product
development efforts and are committed to providing exceptional service
and being easy to do business with.
Novell also announced the sale of certain intellectual property assets
to CPTN Holdings LLC. The sale of certain intellectual property assets
will not impact customers. Customers will continue to be authorized to
use Novell products under this intellectual property.
Attachmate Corporation plans to retain both the Novell and SUSE brands
and operate them as two separate business units, along with its other
holdings, Attachmate and NetIQ. The transaction with Attachmate
Corporation and the sale of certain intellectual property assets to
CPTN Holdings LLC are currently expected to close in the first quarter
of 2011.
Until the merger transaction closes, it is business as usual. We have
no plans to change your current sales coverage or ordering practices.
If you have any questions or wish to discuss this matter further,
please feel free to contact your local sales leadership.
I want to thank you personally for your ongoing business and express
my deep appreciation for the trust and confidence you have placed in
Novell over the last year. We hope you share our enthusiasm about
Novell’s exciting future.
Sincerely,

Ronald W. Hovsepian
Forward-Looking STATEMENTS
This communication contains statements that constitute forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the current
expectations and beliefs of Novell and are subject to a number of
risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking
statements. Many of these risks are beyond our control or ability to
predict. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
from those set forth in the forward-looking statements include, but
are not limited to, the risk that the proposed sale of certain
intellectual property assets and the proposed merger may not be
consummated in a timely manner, if at all; the risk that various
closing conditions will not be satisfied or waived, including the risk
that a governmental entity may prohibit, delay or refuse to grant
approval for the consummation of the transactions; and other risks and
uncertainties discussed in Novell’s filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. You should not rely upon forward-looking
statements as predictions of future events. Novell expressly disclaims
any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking
statements contained herein.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE MERGER AND WHERE TO FIND IT
In connection with the proposed merger, Novell intends to file
relevant materials with the SEC, including a proxy statement.
Investors and security holders of Novell are urged to read these
documents (if and when they become available) and any other relevant
documents filed with the SEC because they will contain important
information about Novell, the proposed sale of certain intellectual
property assets, the proposed merger and the parties to these proposed
transactions. Investors and security holders may obtain these
documents free of charge at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.
In addition, the documents filed with the SEC by Novell may be
obtained free of charge by directing such request to: Novell Investor
Relations at 1-800-317-3195 or from the investor relations website
portion of Novell’s website at http://www.novell.com/company/ir/.
Novell and its directors and executive officers may be deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from Novell’s stockholders
in respect of the proposed merger. Information regarding Novell’s
directors and executive officers is contained in Novell’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2009, its
proxy statement for its 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, dated
February 26, 2010, and subsequent filings which Novell has made with
the SEC. Stockholders may obtain additional information about the
directors and executive officers of Novell and their respective
interests with respect to the proposed merger by reading the
definitive proxy statement and other relevant documents regarding the
proposed merger, when filed with the SEC.



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