SmogHog
06-04-2011, 08:30 PM
Microsoft Has Acquisition Deal With Nvidia
Redmond's purchase option automatically kicks in if a third-party offers $3.4 billion or more for tablet chipmaker's shares.
Microsoft and Nvidia have an agreement in place that spells out terms relating to a possible acquisition of the graphics and mobile processor manufacturer, regulatory documents indicate.
The deal gives Microsoft the exclusive right to match any offer for 30% or more of Nvidia's outstanding shares by a third-party, according to an SEC filing reviewed by InformationWeek.
"Under the agreement, if an individual or corporation makes an offer to purchase shares equal to or greater than 30% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, Microsoft may have first and last rights of refusal to purchase the stock," Nvidia said in the filing, dated May 27.
The pact puts Redmond in a position to effectively veto attempts by any of its rivals to snap up Nvidia, which makes key components for the red-hot tablet market.
Nvidia's ARM-based Tegra chip is widely used by a number of major mobile device manufacturers. It's employed in Google Android-based tablets and smartphones from Samsung, Motorola, and others. Microsoft itself earlier this week demonstrated Windows 8 tablets (http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/microsoft_news/229900100) running on the new, quad-core "Kal-El" version of Tegra. Also see: Why Microsoft Should Pursue ARM Acquisition (http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/microsoft_news/229625362)
http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/microsoft_news/229900137
Redmond's purchase option automatically kicks in if a third-party offers $3.4 billion or more for tablet chipmaker's shares.
Microsoft and Nvidia have an agreement in place that spells out terms relating to a possible acquisition of the graphics and mobile processor manufacturer, regulatory documents indicate.
The deal gives Microsoft the exclusive right to match any offer for 30% or more of Nvidia's outstanding shares by a third-party, according to an SEC filing reviewed by InformationWeek.
"Under the agreement, if an individual or corporation makes an offer to purchase shares equal to or greater than 30% of the outstanding shares of our common stock, Microsoft may have first and last rights of refusal to purchase the stock," Nvidia said in the filing, dated May 27.
The pact puts Redmond in a position to effectively veto attempts by any of its rivals to snap up Nvidia, which makes key components for the red-hot tablet market.
Nvidia's ARM-based Tegra chip is widely used by a number of major mobile device manufacturers. It's employed in Google Android-based tablets and smartphones from Samsung, Motorola, and others. Microsoft itself earlier this week demonstrated Windows 8 tablets (http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/microsoft_news/229900100) running on the new, quad-core "Kal-El" version of Tegra. Also see: Why Microsoft Should Pursue ARM Acquisition (http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/microsoft_news/229625362)
http://www.informationweek.com/news/windows/microsoft_news/229900137