8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 7, 2003

barnesandnoble.com inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

0-26063	13-4048787
(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
76 Ninth Avenue, New York, NY	10011
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code (212) 414-6000

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report )

TABLE OF CONTENTS

	Item 5. Other Events and Required FD Disclosure
	Item 7. Financial Statements, Financial Information and Exhibits
SIGNATURE
PRESS RELEASE
LETTER TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE

Item 5. Other Events and Required FD Disclosure

     On November 7, 2003, barnesandnoble.com inc. (the “Company”) announced that a special committee of independent directors will evaluate the proposal by Barnes & Noble, Inc. (“Barnes & Noble”) to purchase in a merger transaction for $2.50 in cash each share of the Company’s common stock that its does not currently own. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1. Also attached hereto is a copy of the letter addressed to the special committee from Barnes & Noble setting forth Barnes & Noble’s proposal.

Item 7. Financial Statements, Financial Information and Exhibits

(c) Exhibits

99.1 Press Release of barnesandnoble.com inc., dated November 7, 2003.

99.2 Letter to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of barnesandnoble.com inc., dated November 7, 2003.

SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	barnesandnoble.com inc. (Registrant)
	By:/s/ Kevin M. Frain
Date: November 12, 2003	Name: Kevin M. Frain Title:   Chief Financial Officer

EX-99.1 3 y91701exv99w1.htm PRESS RELEASE

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Kevin Frain
Chief Financial Officer
Barnes & Noble.com
212-414-6093
kfrain@book.com

BARNES & NOBLE.COM SPECIAL COMMITTEE TO CONSIDER PROPOSAL

NEW YORK, NY (November 7, 2003) — Barnes & Noble.com (NASDAQ: BNBN) announced today that a special committee of independent directors will evaluate the previously announced proposal by Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) to purchase in a merger transaction for $2.50 in cash each share of Barnes & Noble.com common stock that it does not currently own. The special committee has been granted the full authority of the board of directors of Barnes & Noble.com to evaluate Barnes & Noble’s proposal and any alternative transactions. The special committee has retained Dewey Ballantine LLP as its legal counsel.

Barnes & Noble.com security holders and other interested parties are urged to read Barnes & Noble.com’s relevant documents that may be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission when they become available because they will contain important information. Barnes & Noble.com security holders will be able to receive such documents free of charge at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website, www.sec.gov, and such documents will be delivered without charge to all shareholders of Barnes & Noble.com. Such documents will also be available on the Company’s investor relations website at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ir

About Barnes & Noble.com

Barnes & Noble.com is a leading Internet-based retailer of books, music, DVD/video and online courses. Since opening its online store (www.bn.com) in March 1997, Barnes & Noble.com has attracted more than 15.8 million customers in 230 countries. Barnes & Noble.com’s bookstore includes the largest in-stock selection of in-print book titles with access to approximately one million titles for immediate delivery, supplemented by more than 30 million listings from its nationwide network of out-of-print, rare and used book dealers. Barnes & Noble.com offers its customers fast delivery, easy and secure ordering, and rich editorial content.

SAFE HARBOR

This release may contain forward-looking statements regarding expectations of the company. These statements are based on the beliefs of the management of the company as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of the company. Such statements reflect the current views of the company with respect to future events, the outcome of which is subject to certain risks, including among others general economic and market conditions, changes in product demand, the growth rate of Internet usage and e-commerce, possible disruptions in the company’s computer or telephone systems, possible increases in shipping rates or interruptions in shipping service, effects of competition, the level and volatility of interest rates, the performance of the company’s new product initiatives, the successful integration of acquired businesses, unanticipated adverse litigation results or effects, product shortages, changes in tax and other governmental rules and regulations applicable to the company and other factors, risks and uncertainties more specifically set forth in the company’s public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The forward-looking statements herein speak only as of the date of this release. The company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement included in this release to reflect any changes in the company’s expectations or any changes in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results or outcomes may vary materially from those described herein. EX-99.2 4 y91701exv99w2.htm LETTER TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE

Exhibit 99.2

November 7, 2003

By Fax

Ms. Patricia Higgins and Mr. Jan Michiel Hessels
Special Committee of the Board of Directors
c/o barnesandnoble.com
76 Ninth Avenue, 11^th Floor
New York, NY 10011

Dear Patricia and Jan Michiel:

     Barnes & Noble, Inc. (“Barnes & Noble”) is pleased to propose a merger (the “Merger”) with barnesandnoble.com inc. (“Barnes & Noble.com”) in which all shareholders of Barnes & Noble.com (other than B&N.com Holding Corp.) would receive $2.50 in cash for each share of Barnes & Noble.com (the “Shares”) that they own. At this price, Barnes & Noble estimates that it would be paying in excess of the approximate net after-tax price per Share that it paid to Bertelsmann AG in a combination of cash and notes on September 15, 2003 for a 37% interest in Barnes & Noble.com. As a result of the Merger, Barnes & Noble.com would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble.

     Please note that we remain committed to providing interim financing to Barnes & Noble.com if it requires capital prior to the consummation of the proposed transaction. In the event the transaction is not consummated, the interim financing would be taken out by a rights offering that we would underwrite at an appropriate discount to market.

     Consummation of the Merger would be subject to the (i) approval of the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of Barnes & Noble.com, (ii) execution and delivery of a definitive merger agreement and such other documentation (including regulatory filings) as may be required or appropriate and (iii) receipt of all necessary third party consents, if any (together, the “Conditions”). Upon consummation of the Merger, Barnes & Noble would cause the Shares to be delisted from trading on the Nasdaq National Market and deregistered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     A copy of the press release announcing the proposed transaction is attached for your information. We expect to make this release public prior to the market opening today.

     We reserve the right to rescind or amend this offer at any time prior to the satisfaction of the Conditions.

     We wish to complete this transaction as soon as possible. Accordingly, we appreciate your immediate consideration of this proposal and look forward to your prompt response. We are available to meet with you and your advisors to discuss the proposed transaction at your convenience.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Leonard Riggio
Leonard Riggio
Chairman

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EX-99.1

PRESS RELEASE

EX-99.2

LETTER TO THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE