CALDEIRÃO DE BOLSA

Microsoft Settles Antitrust Lawsuit in Minnesota (Update2)
April 19, 2004 13:10 EDT -- Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software company, agreed to settle an antitrust lawsuit filed by Minnesota consumers that could have cost the company as much as $1.3 billion if it lost the case.

Tech Companies to Push Digital Broadcasting, L.A. Times Reports
April 19, 2004 12:41 EDT -- Apple Computer Inc., Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp., Gateway Inc. and other technology companies pushing to establish the personal computer as the main home entertainment manager are likely to lobby broadcasters at a convention this week, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Microsoft Settles Antitrust Lawsuit in Minnesota (Update1)
April 19, 2004 12:25 EDT -- Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software company, agreed to settle an antitrust suit filed by Minnesota consumers that could have cost the company as much as $1.3 billion if it lost the case.

Microsoft Settles Consumer Antitrust Case in Minnesota
April 19, 2004 12:01 EDT -- Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software company, said it settled an antitrust suit filed by Minnesota consumers seeking more than $425 million

Um "Microsoft GOLD Partner" não passa de uma empresa com um contrácto específico para desenvolver apenas software baseado na plataforma windows.

Neste caso, sendo um Gold Partner, pode ter acesso a "source codes" do software da Microsoft e informação relativa ao funcionamento do sofware da MS que uma empresa normal não teria.

Daí a poderem fazer software específico baseado no .Net por exemplo, para vender a outras empresas. Coisa que só a Microsoft poderia fazer.

Para mais informações:
http://www.microsoft.com/support/partner/partval.htm

Quanto ao que efeito que poderá ter na MSFT... não sei mesmo, para essas duas acções (Magnus e ETX) será benéfico, para a Microsoft será fundamentalmente positivo talvez mas dúvido se irá ter um movimento claro devido a esta notícia

Face a dificuldade que assumo em traduçao de ingles, peço auxilio e opnioes relativamente a esta noticiae se podera ser favoravel a msft ou nao nas proximas sessoes.
Os resultados da msft sao divulgados a 22

MAGNUS PREPARES ACQUISITION OF MICROSOFT GOLD PARTNER ETX
(The following is a reformatted press release issued by Magnus Holding NV and received via Euronext Amsterdam. The release hasn't been confirmed by the sender.)

Magnus Holding prepares acquisition of Microsoft Gold Partner ETX Euronext Amsterdam Magnus announces:

Magnus Holding has reached an agreement in principle on the acquisition of ETX, specialist in software development on the Microsoft platform. Through its subsidiaries Magnus and Qurius, Magnus Holding offers business and IT consulting and realizes business solutions that are based on standard package software (SAP and Microsoft Business Solutions). Being a specialist in development of tailor made solutions and integration software, ETX adds an important new dimension to this portfolio. By joining Magnus Holding, ETX can strengthen its market position, increase its market access and undertake larger, more challenging projects. The acquisition of the Rijswijk based company will increase Magnus Holding's number of staff members to approximately 200.

Rob Schut, director of ETX, sees many advantages: "The boundary between standard and tailor made software is fading. Another important development is the convergence of the 'classic' Microsoft technology and the Business Solutions. As Gold Partner we can - together with Qurius - serve as a pioneer. In order to develop tailor made software it is important to map the client's business case, expectations, requirements and constraints in an early stage: that's an important skill of Magnus. Shortly: together we can offer our clients a strong proposition, focused on the solution, not the way towards it." "As Microsoft Gold Partner, ETX specializes in tailor made software solutions based on the .NET platform", says Fred Hermans, CEO of Magnus Holding. "At the heart of the development activities is the ETX Softwarestreet®.NET, the first that was certified by Microsoft in the Netherlands. With this, ETX can rapidly and easily build the latest generation applications, which leads to shorter development phases. ETX is particularly successful in the media, healthcare and telecommunications industry is complementary with our existing industry focus."

On ETX ETX B.V. is founded in 1997 and has since developed into a specialist in professional software development on the Microsoft platform. All projects are performed on the basis of fixed price, fixed date, fixed functionality. The Microsoft certified ETX Softwarestreet®.NET ensures optimum support of the complete software development phase. Being a Microsoft Gold Partner, ETX has a clear focus on integrated e-business solutions. In this category Microsoft selected the company as finalist at the Worldwide Partner Conference of 2003. At the back of such achievements is a commitment to innovation that has consistently resulted in successful development projects for clients such as Wegener, KPN and PCH Pharmachemie.

Transaction structure and timeframe After signing the Letter of Intend the parties will follow the usual steps, including a due diligence. The purchase price will be paid in shares B Magnus Holding N.V. The number of shares partly depends on ETX' 2004 result. The number of newly issued ordinary shares B will be less than 10% of the total number of shares A and B outstanding (39.453.710).

On June 26 2003, Magnus Holding has issued unlisted ordinary shares B that can be converted in ordinary listed shares A in over four years. This took place in the scope of the Qurius transaction as described in the Information Circular of June 4. Because of the ETX transaction Magnus Holding will accelerate the pace of the conversion of ordinary shares B into shares A, from a maximum of 5% currently to a maximum of 9,9% of the total number of listed shares A per quarter.

Magnus Holding N.V. Magnus Holding N.V. (www.magnus.com) provides business and IT consulting, business solutions and integration & IT services through two subsidiaries: Magnus and Qurius. Magnus (www.magnus.nl) advises and supports organizations on the realization of sustainable improvements and innovations. Based on a clear business case, Magnus carries out changes in processes, organizations and systems. Qurius (www.qurius.nl) is one of the largest specialists in Microsoft Business Solutions (Navision and Axapta) and industry specific software solutions in the Netherlands and also operates internationally through the FAQT Group. Magnus Holding has been stock-listed on Euronext Amsterdam since 1998. You'll find further information on the Internet: www.magnus.com.

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