PRER14A 1 dprer14a.htm REVISED PROXY Revised Proxy
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 1)

Filed by the Registrant  x                                                  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant   ¨

Check the appropriate box:

 

x Preliminary Proxy Statement

 

¨ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

 

¨ Definitive Proxy Statement

 

¨ Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨ Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

NOVELL, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

¨ No fee required.

 

x Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

 

  (1) Title of each class of securities to which the transaction applies:

Common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of Novell, Inc. (the “Company”)

 

 

 

  (2) Aggregate number of securities to which the transaction applies:

(A) 351,577,189 shares of common stock issued and outstanding (including restricted shares), (B) 14,440,801 shares of common stock underlying options to purchase common stock with an exercise price of less than the merger consideration of $6.10 per share, (C) 8,761,846 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock unit awards and (D) 203,113 shares of common stock subject to deferred unit awards.

 

 

 

  (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of the transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

The maximum aggregate value of the transaction was determined based upon the sum of (A) 351,577,189 shares of common stock (including restricted shares) issued and outstanding and owned by persons other than the Company, Attachmate Corporation (“Attachmate”) or Longview Software Acquisition Corp. or any other direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate or the Company on November 21, 2010, multiplied by the merger consideration of $6.10 per share, (B) 14,440,801 shares of common stock underlying outstanding options to purchase common stock with an exercise price of less than the merger consideration of $6.10, as of November 21, 2010, multiplied by $1.68 (which is the difference between the merger consideration of $6.10 per share and the weighted average exercise price of such options), (C) 8,761,846 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock unit awards, as of November 21, 2010, multiplied by the merger consideration of $6.10 per share and (D) 203,113 shares of common stock subject to deferred unit awards, as of November 21, 2010, multiplied by the merger consideration of $6.10 per share. The filing fee equals the product of 0.00007130 multiplied by the maximum aggregate value of the transaction.

 

 

 

  (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of the transaction:

$2,223,567,648.48

 

 

 

  (5) Total fee paid:

$158,540.37

 

 

 

x Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

 

¨ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 

  (1) Amount Previously Paid:

 

 

 

  (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

 

 

 

  (3) Filing Party:

 

 

 

  (4) Date Filed:

 

 


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PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIAL – SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 23, 2010

 

LOGO    LOGO

Novell, Inc.

404 Wyman Street

Waltham, MA 02451

Phone 781-464-8000

http://www.novell.com

[                    ]

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting (the “Special Meeting”) of stockholders of Novell, Inc. (“Novell”) to be held at [        ], on [                    ], 2011, at [        ], local time.

At the Special Meeting, you will be asked to consider and vote upon a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 21, 2010, by and among Novell, Attachmate Corporation (“Attachmate”) and Longview Software Acquisition Corp. (“Merger Sub”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate, as such agreement may be amended from time to time (the “Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Novell with Novell continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate (the “Merger”). We are also asking that you grant the authority to vote your shares to authorize Novell’s board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement at the time of the Special Meeting.

If the Merger Agreement is adopted and the Merger is completed, Novell’s stockholders will be entitled to receive $6.10 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, for each share of Novell common stock owned by them as of the effective time of the Merger.

After careful consideration, our board of directors determined that the Merger Agreement and the terms and conditions of the Merger and the Merger Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Novell and its stockholders. Our board of directors has approved the Merger Agreement. Our board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement at the Special Meeting.

The enclosed Notice of Special Meeting and Proxy Statement explain the proposed Merger and provide specific information concerning the Special Meeting. Please read these materials (including the annexes) carefully.

Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. The proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Novell’s common stock entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. Therefore, if you do not return your proxy card, submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone or attend the Special Meeting and vote in person, it will have the same effect as if you voted “AGAINST” adoption of the Merger Agreement. Only stockholders who owned shares of Novell’s common stock at the close of business on [                    ] the record date for the Special Meeting, will be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. To vote your shares, you may return your proxy card, submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone or attend the Special Meeting and vote in person. Even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting, we urge you to promptly submit a proxy for your shares via the Internet or telephone or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card.


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On behalf of your board of directors, thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Richard L. Crandall

Chairman of the Board

Novell, Inc.

Neither the United States Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities regulatory agency has approved or disapproved the Merger or the Merger Agreement, passed upon the merits or fairness of the Merger or the Merger Agreement or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosures in the enclosed Proxy Statement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The enclosed Proxy Statement is dated [                    ] and is first being mailed to stockholders of Novell on or about [                    ].


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PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIAL – SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 23, 2010

NOVELL, INC.

404 Wyman Street

Waltham, MA 02451

NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON [                    ], 2011

To the Stockholders of Novell, Inc.:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT a special meeting of the stockholders of Novell, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Novell”), will be held at [        ], on [                    ], 2011 at [        ], local time, for the following purposes:

 

  1. To consider and vote upon the adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 21, 2010, by and among Novell, Attachmate Corporation (“Attachmate”) and Longview Software Acquisition Corp. (“Merger Sub”), as such agreement may be amended from time to time (the “Merger Agreement”);

 

  2. To consider and vote upon any proposal to authorize the Novell board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement at the time of the special meeting; and

 

  3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof by or at the direction of Novell’s board of directors.

All stockholders of record of shares of Novell’s common stock at the close of business on [                    ] are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on [                    ] are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement thereof. A complete list of these stockholders will be available at 404 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA 02451 for at least ten days prior to the special meeting. Such list will also be produced and kept at [        ] during the special meeting.

Your vote is important. We urge you to complete, sign, date and return your proxy card as promptly as possible by mailing the card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope, whether or not you expect to attend the special meeting. If you are unable to attend in person and you return your proxy card, your shares will be voted at the special meeting in accordance with your proxy. You may also submit a proxy by telephone by calling [            ] in the United States or [            ] from foreign countries or through the Internet at [        ] using the control number on your proxy card. If your shares are held in “street name” by your broker, bank or other nominee, only that holder can vote your shares unless you obtain a valid legal proxy from such broker, bank or nominee. You should follow the directions provided by your broker, bank or other nominee regarding how to instruct such broker, bank or nominee to vote your shares.

Our board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement and “FOR” any proposal to authorize the Novell board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement at the time of the special meeting.

Under Delaware law, if the merger is completed, holders of Novell’s common stock who do not vote in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement will have the right to seek appraisal of the fair value of their shares as determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery. In order to exercise your appraisal rights, you must submit a written demand for an appraisal prior to the stockholder vote on the Merger Agreement, not vote in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement and comply with other Delaware law procedures explained in the accompanying proxy statement.


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The merger is described in the accompanying proxy statement, which we urge you to read carefully. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to the proxy statement.

Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please submit your proxy by promptly completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage prepaid envelope so that your shares may be represented at the special meeting. Prior to the vote, you may revoke your proxy in the manner described in the proxy statement.

By Order of the Board of Directors

Scott N. Semel

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

[                    ]

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.

Whether or not you plan to attend the special meeting, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope, or submit a proxy by telephone by calling [            ] in the United States and [            ] from foreign countries or through the Internet at [        ]. Giving your proxy now will not affect your right to vote in person if you attend the special meeting.


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

     1   

SUMMARY TERM SHEET

     2   

The Parties to the Merger

     2   

The Merger

     3   

Treatment of Equity Awards and Other Equity-Based Compensation

     3   

Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of Our Board of Directors

     4   

Opinion of Our Financial Advisor

     6   

Financing of the Merger

     7   

The Special Meeting

     9   

Revocation of Proxies

     9   

Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger

     10   

Conditions to the Closing of the Merger

     10   

Restrictions on Solicitation of Other Offers

     12   

Termination of the Merger Agreement

     12   

Fees and Expenses

     14   

Limited Guarantees

     16   

Litigation Related to the Merger

     16   

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

     17   

Regulatory Matters

     17   

Appraisal Rights

     18   

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND THE MERGER

     19   

The Proposed Merger

     19   

The Special Meeting

     21   

Voting and Proxy Procedures

     21   

THE SPECIAL MEETING

     25   

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

     25   

Purpose of the Special Meeting

     25   

Recommendation of Our Board of Directors

     25   

Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum

     25   

Vote Required

     26   

Voting by Novell’s Directors and Executive Officers

     26   

Attachmate Voting Agreement

     26   

Voting of Proxies

     26   

Revocation of Proxies

     27   

Rights of Stockholders Who Object to the Merger

     28   

Solicitation of Proxies

     28   

Other Matters

     28   

Stockholder List

     28   

Availability of Documents

     29   

THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER

     29   

Novell, Inc.

     29   

Attachmate Corporation

     29   

Longview Software Acquisition Corp.

     29   

THE MERGER

     29   

Background to the Merger

     30   

Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of Our Board of Directors

     44   

Opinion of Our Financial Advisor

     47   

Financial Projections

     53   

Financing of the Merger

     57   

The Patent Sale

     59   

 

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Limited Guarantees

     62   

Attachmate Voting Agreement

     62   

Litigation Related to the Merger

     62   

Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger

     63   

Effects on Us if the Merger is Not Completed

     70   

Delisting and Deregistration of Our Common Stock

     71   

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

     71   

Regulatory Matters

     73   

THE MERGER AGREEMENT (PROPOSAL NO. 1)

     74   

The Merger

     74   

Effective Time of the Merger

     74   

Merger Consideration

     75   

Payment Procedures

     76   

Appraisal Rights

     76   

Treatment of Equity Awards and Other Equity-Based Compensation

     77   

Long Term Incentive Cash Bonus Awards

     77   

Financing

     77   

Representations and Warranties

     80   

Definition of Company Material Adverse Effect

     81   

Covenants Relating to the Conduct of Our Business

     82   

Conditions to the Closing of the Merger

     85   

Definition of Parent Material Adverse Effect

     86   

Restrictions on Solicitation of Other Offers

     86   

Restrictions on Change of Recommendation to Stockholders

     87   

Termination of the Merger Agreement

     88   

Fees and Expenses

     89   

Remedies

     92   

Further Actions and Agreements

     93   

Employee Benefits

     94   

Amendment and Waiver

     94   

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

     95   

MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDEND DATA

     99   

SHARE OWNERSHIP BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

     100   

AUTHORITY TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING (PROPOSAL NO. 2)

     102   

OTHER MATTERS

     102   

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY STATEMENT

     102   

FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

     102   

MISCELLANEOUS

     103   

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

     104   

ANNEX A:

  Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 21, 2010, by and among Novell, Inc., Attachmate Corporation and Longview Software Acquisition Corp.      A-1   

ANNEX B:

  Patent Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2010, by and between CPTN Holdings LLC and Novell, Inc.      B-1   

ANNEX C:

  Opinion of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, dated November 21, 2010      C-1   

ANNEX D:

  Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (Appraisal Statute)      D-1   

 

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PRELIMINARY PROXY MATERIALSUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED DECEMBER 23, 2010

This proxy statement is dated [                    ] and is first being mailed to stockholders of Novell on or about [            ].

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This proxy statement 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. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (such as statements containing the words “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates” and similar expressions) should be considered forward-looking statements. Among others, the following risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements:

 

   

the risk that the merger may be delayed or may not be consummated;

 

   

the risk that the Merger Agreement may be terminated in circumstances that require us to pay Attachmate a termination fee of $60 million;

 

   

risks related to the diversion of management’s attention from our ongoing business operations;

 

   

risks regarding the failure of Attachmate to obtain the necessary financing to complete the merger;

 

   

the effect of the announcement of the sale of patents or the merger on our business relationships (including, without limitation, partners and customers), operating results and business generally; and

 

   

risks related to obtaining the requisite consents to the sale of patents and the merger, including, without limitation, the timing (including possible delays) and receipt of regulatory approvals from various governmental entities (including any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on these approvals) and the risk that one or more governmental entities may deny approval.

Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, which are available at the SEC’s website http://www.sec.gov. Because forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, actual results and events may differ materially from results and events currently expected by Novell. Novell expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change of expectations with regard thereto or to reflect any change in events, conditions or circumstances.

 

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SUMMARY TERM SHEET

This Summary Term Sheet highlights selected information from this proxy statement and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To better understand the merger and for a more complete description of the legal terms of the transaction, you should read carefully this entire proxy statement and the annexes to this proxy statement. The Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. We encourage you to read the Merger Agreement. Each item in this Summary Term Sheet includes a page reference directing you to a more complete description of the item in this proxy statement. Except as otherwise specifically noted in this proxy statement, “we,” “our,” “us” and similar words in this proxy statement refer to Novell, Inc. In addition, we refer to Novell, Inc. as “Novell,” to Attachmate Corporation as “Attachmate” and to Longview Software Acquisition Corp. as “Merger Sub.” Novell, as the surviving corporation of the merger, is also referred to as the “surviving corporation.”

The Parties to the Merger (page 29)

Novell, Inc.

404 Wyman Street

Waltham, MA 02451

Telephone: (781) 464-8000

Incorporated in Delaware in January 1983, Novell develops, sells and installs enterprise-quality software that is positioned in the operating systems and infrastructure software layers of the information technology industry. We develop and deliver Linux operating system software for the full range of computers from desktops to servers. In addition, we provide a portfolio of integrated information technology management software for systems, identity and security management for both Linux and mixed-platform environments. We also offer a worldwide network of service personnel to help our customers and third-party partners effectively utilize our software. Our website is located at http://www.novell.com. Our website address is included in this proxy statement as a textual reference only, and the information in the website is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. Additional information regarding Novell is contained in our filings with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 104.

Attachmate Corporation

1500 Dexter Ave N.

Seattle, WA 98109

Telephone: (206) 217-7100

Attachmate Corporation, a Washington corporation, enables IT organizations to extend mission critical services and assures they are managed, secure and compliant. Investment funds affiliated with Francisco Partners, L.P. (“Francisco Partners”), Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc. (“Golden Gate Capital”) and Thoma Bravo, LLC (“Thoma Bravo”) are the principal stockholders of Attachmate indirectly through Wizard Parent LLC (“Wizard Parent”), which holds Wizard Holding Corporation (“Wizard Holding”), whose principal holdings include Attachmate and NetIQ Corporation (“NetIQ”).

Longview Software Acquisition Corp.

1500 Dexter Ave N.

Seattle, WA 98109

Telephone: (206) 217-7100

Longview Software Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of securing debt financing and engaging in the transactions described in this proxy statement and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations other than in connection with the debt financing and such transactions. Upon consummation of the

 

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merger, Merger Sub will cease to exist, and Novell will continue as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate.

The Merger (page 29)

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Novell with Novell continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate. If the merger is completed, you will be entitled to receive $6.10 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, in exchange for each share of our common stock that you own as of the effective time of the merger and for which you have not properly exercised appraisal rights.

After the merger is completed, you will have the right to receive the $6.10 per share cash merger consideration, but you will no longer have any rights as a Novell stockholder and will have no rights as an Attachmate stockholder as a result of the merger. Novell stockholders will receive the per share cash merger consideration after surrendering their Novell shares in accordance with the instructions contained in the letter of transmittal to be sent to our stockholders shortly after closing of the merger. As a result of the merger, Novell will cease to be a publicly-traded company.

Attachmate’s and Merger Sub’s obligations to consummate the merger are subject, among other things, to the prior closing of the transactions contemplated by the Patent Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 21, 2010, by and between CPTN Holdings LLC (“CPTN”) and us (the “Patent Purchase Agreement”). CPTN is a Delaware limited liability company and consortium of technology companies organized by Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”). Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Patent Purchase Agreement, we will sell all of our right, title and interest in 882 issued patents and patent applications to CPTN for $450 million in cash.

The Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement. Please read it carefully. The Patent Purchase Agreement is attached as Annex B to this proxy statement.

Treatment of Equity Awards and Other Equity-Based Compensation (page 77)

Stock Options. Prior to the effective time of the merger, each stock option to purchase shares of our common stock that is outstanding under any of our equity plans will become fully vested and exercisable. Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each option outstanding as of the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) the amount by which $6.10 exceeds the applicable per share exercise price (if any) multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such stock option, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. The surviving corporation may make such cash payments on Novell’s behalf.

Restricted Stock Awards. Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each restricted stock award granted under any of our equity plans that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) $6.10 multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of common stock constituting such restricted stock award, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. The surviving corporation may make such cash payments on Novell’s behalf.

Restricted Stock Units. Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each restricted stock unit (including retention restricted stock units for Australian employees), other than a retention restricted stock unit, granted under any of our equity plans that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) $6.10 multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of common stock underlying such restricted stock unit, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. The surviving corporation may make such cash payments on Novell’s behalf.

 

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Retention Restricted Stock Units. As of the effective time of the merger, each retention restricted stock unit that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (excluding retention restricted stock units for Australian employees) will be converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to $6.10 for each share of common stock subject to such retention restricted stock unit, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. These cash payments will be paid subject to and in accordance with the existing vesting schedule of those retention restricted stock units.

Stock-Based Deferred Compensation Units and Common Stock Equivalents. Prior to the effective time of the merger, Novell will also equitably adjust, effective as of the effective time of the merger, each deferral under our Stock-Based Deferred Compensation Plan and our 2009 Directors Deferral Plan that is denominated in shares of common stock to provide that each such deferral will, from and after the effective time of the merger, equal an amount equal to the product of (i) $6.10 multiplied by (ii) the number of notional shares of common stock previously subject to such deferral. Those payments will be subject to reduction for any applicable withholding taxes.

Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of Our Board of Directors (page 44)

Our board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” adoption of the Merger Agreement and “FOR” any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies. At a meeting of our board of directors on November 21, 2010, after consultation with financial and legal advisors, our board of directors determined that the Merger Agreement and the merger are advisable and in the best interests of Novell and its stockholders and approved the Merger Agreement.

In the course of reaching its decision, our board of directors consulted with our senior management, financial advisor and legal counsel, reviewed a significant amount of information and considered a number of factors, including, among others:

 

   

historical market prices, volatility and trading information with respect to the Novell common stock, including the per share merger consideration of $6.10 per share in cash;

 

   

the financial presentation and opinion, dated November 21, 2010, of J.P. Morgan to our board of directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of its opinion, of the $6.10 per share merger consideration to be received in the merger by holders of Novell common stock, as more fully described below under the caption “The Merger – Opinion of Our Financial Advisor” beginning on page 47;

 

   

the form of consideration to be paid in the transaction is cash, which provides certainty of value and immediate liquidity to Novell’s stockholders;

 

   

our current and historical financial condition, results of operations, competitive position, strategic options and prospects, as well as the financial plan and prospects if we were to remain an independent public company;

 

   

the prospective risks to us as a stand-alone public entity, including the risks and uncertainties with respect to (i) achieving success in growing our business in light of the current and foreseeable market conditions, including the risks and uncertainties in the United States and global economy generally and the enterprise software industry specifically and (ii) the “risk factors” set forth in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010;

 

   

the substantial number of potential buyers, both strategic and financial, solicited in connection with a possible transaction;

 

   

various strategic alternatives to a sale of Novell, including the possibility of a return of capital to stockholders through a stock repurchase or cash dividend, strategic partnerships and alliances, joint

 

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ventures, a recapitalization and a sale of a portion of Novell as well as proceeding in the ordinary course with management’s plans for the business and perceived risks of those alternatives, the range of potential benefits to Novell’s stockholders of these alternatives and the timing and execution risk of accomplishing the goals of such alternatives, as well as the board of directors’ assessment that no available alternatives to a sale of Novell were reasonably likely to create greater value for Novell’s stockholders, taking into account risks of execution as well as business, competitive, industry and market risk;

 

   

that the Merger Agreement has customary terms and was the product of extensive arms-length negotiations;

 

   

that the Merger Agreement has customary no solicitation and termination provisions which should not preclude third parties from making “superior proposals;”

 

   

the availability of statutory appraisal rights under Delaware law in the merger;

 

   

the receipt of commitment letters from Attachmate’s sources of debt and equity financing for the merger, and the terms of the commitment letters;

 

   

the receipt of limited guarantees from Attachmate’s investors and the Elliott Parties guaranteeing the payment of the reverse termination fee and the reimbursement and indemnification obligations under Section 6.14 (“Financing”) and Section 6.15 (“Cash”) of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

that Attachmate is required to use its reasonable best efforts to seek to fully enforce its rights under the financing documents;

 

   

the limited number and nature of the conditions to funding set forth in the debt and equity financing commitment letters and the likelihood that such conditions will be timely met and the financing provided in a timely manner, and the obligation of Attachmate to use reasonable best efforts to obtain the debt financing, and if it fails to effect the closing of the merger under certain circumstances, for Attachmate to pay us $120 million;

 

   

Novell’s ability, under certain circumstances pursuant to the Merger Agreement, to enforce specifically the terms of Section 6.14 (“Financing”) of the Merger Agreement; and

 

   

Novell’s ability, under certain circumstances pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the equity commitment letters, to enforce (as an express third-party beneficiary) or to seek specific performance of Attachmate’s obligations to cause the equity investors to make equity contributions to Attachmate pursuant to the respective equity commitment letters and to cause the merger to be consummated.

Our board of directors also considered a number of uncertainties and risks in its deliberations concerning the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the following:

 

   

our current stockholders would not, except as provided through the Attachmate Group, have the opportunity to participate in any possible growth and profits of Novell following the completion of the transactions;

 

   

the risk that the proposed transactions might not be completed and the effect of the resulting public announcement of termination of the Merger Agreement on the market price of Novell common stock, our operating results, the ability to attract and retain key personnel, relationships with customers, partners and others that do business with us; and the possible disruption to our business that may result from the announcement of the transaction and the resulting distraction of the attention of our management and employees and the impact of the transaction on our customers, partners and others that do business with us;

 

   

the terms of the Merger Agreement, including (i) the operational restrictions imposed on us between signing and closing (which may delay or prevent us from undertaking business opportunities that may arise pending the completion of the transaction), and (ii) the termination fee, that could become

 

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payable by us under certain circumstances, including if we terminate the Merger Agreement to accept a superior proposal, in an amount equal to $60 million;

 

   

the extended period during which the board of directors had been evaluating strategic alternatives and the impact of the board of directors’ process on our revenue and results in recent periods;

 

   

our board of directors’ belief that prolonging the process of exploring various alternatives could have (i) resulted in the loss of Attachmate’s offer, (ii) negative impacts on the morale of employees, and (iii) distracted employees and senior management from implementing our operating plan;

 

   

the restriction on soliciting competing proposals;

 

   

the possibility that the $60 million termination fee payable by Novell upon the termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances could discourage other potential acquirers from making a competing bid to acquire Novell;

 

   

the possibility that Attachmate will be unable to obtain the debt financing from the lenders under the debt commitment letter, including as a result of the failure of conditions in the debt commitment letter;

 

   

the fact that, other than our limited rights to specific performance in Section 6.14 (“Financing”) of the Merger Agreement and to enforce the funding of the equity commitments and the consummation of the merger, our remedies in connection with Attachmate’s breach of the merger agreement, even a breach that is deliberate or willful, are limited to collecting the $120 million under certain circumstances;

 

   

the fact that the Merger Agreement is conditioned on the occurrence of the closing under the Patent Purchase Agreement, the risks of the conditions to closing under the Patent Purchase Agreement not being satisfied and that in the event CPTN fails to close in breach of its obligations under the Patent Purchase Agreement, Novell’s remedy would be to seek specific performance against a newly-formed entity with potentially limited assets;

 

   

that our directors and executive officers have interests in the merger, including certain severance and retention arrangements as described under the section entitled “The Merger – Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 63; and

 

   

that an all-cash transaction would be taxable to our stockholders that are United States holders for United States federal income tax purposes.

Opinion of Our Financial Advisor (page 47)

Novell retained J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., which subsequently converted to a limited liability company named J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (“J.P. Morgan”), as its financial advisor for the purpose of advising Novell in connection with a potential transaction such as the merger and to evaluate whether the consideration in the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of common stock of Novell. At the meeting of the Novell board of directors on November 21, 2010, J.P. Morgan rendered its written opinion to the Novell board of directors that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various factors, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in such written opinion, the $6.10 per share cash consideration to be paid to the holders of Novell common stock in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Novell common stock. The J.P. Morgan written opinion, dated November 21, 2010, is sometimes referred to herein as the J.P. Morgan opinion.

The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan dated November 21, 2010, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex C to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of J.P. Morgan’s opinion set forth in this document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Stockholders should read this opinion carefully and in its entirety. J.P. Morgan’s opinion is directed to the Novell board of directors,

 

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addresses only the fairness from a financial point of view, to the holders of Novell common stock of the $6.10 per share cash consideration to be paid to such holders in the proposed merger, and does not address any other aspect of the merger or any other transactions, including those covered by the Patent Purchase Agreement (including the fairness of any such transactions). The issuance of the J.P. Morgan opinion was approved by a fairness opinion committee of J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan provided its advisory services and opinion for the information and assistance of the Novell board of directors in connection with its consideration of the proposed merger.

The opinion of J.P. Morgan does not constitute a recommendation as to how any stockholder should vote with respect to the proposed merger or any other matter.

Financing of the Merger (page 57)

Attachmate and Merger Sub have estimated that the total amount of funds necessary to pay the aggregate merger consideration will be approximately $2.2 billion, including the financing of the merger and payment of related transaction charges, fees and expenses. Attachmate has said it intends to fund the transaction with equity and debt financing, together with cash and cash equivalents available to Attachmate (including cash held by us and our subsidiaries and cash available to us in connection with the closing of the patent sale). Consummation of the merger is not conditioned on the funding of Attachmate’s financing or on Attachmate obtaining financing.

We may seek and obtain:

(i) injunctions to prevent breaches, and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions, of Attachmate’s financing obligations provided that:

 

   

all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition (as defined below), and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived; and

 

   

to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (A) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring, (B) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale and (C) we have no knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied; and

(ii) injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to cause Attachmate to seek enforcement of the equity commitment letters and to cause the merger to be consummated provided that:

 

   

all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition, and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived;

 

   

to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (A) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring, (B) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale and (C) we have no

 

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knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied;

 

   

Attachmate’s marketing period has expired;

 

   

January 23, 2011 has passed;

 

   

the debt financing has been funded or will be funded at the closing upon drawdown notice by Attachmate if the equity financing is funded at the closing of the merger; and

 

   

we have irrevocably confirmed in a written notice delivered to Attachmate that, if the equity financing and debt financing are funded, the conditions to our obligations to consummate the merger are waived (which waiver may be conditioned on the closing).

For additional information regarding remedies under the Merger Agreement, see “The Merger Agreement – Remedies” beginning on page 92.

Equity Financing. Attachmate has entered into equity commitment letters with Elliott Associates, L.P. and Elliott International, L.P. (together, the “Elliott Parties”), Francisco Partners and Francisco Partners Fund A, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund, L.P. and Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund-A, L.P., and Thoma Bravo Fund IX, L.P., dated November 21, 2010, pursuant to which they have severally and not jointly committed to provide equity financing up to a specified dollar amount (in the case of the Elliott Parties, a specified dollar amount to be satisfied by shares of our common stock). The Elliott Parties will satisfy their equity commitment by contributing Novell common stock to Wizard Parent, the ultimate parent company of Attachmate, in exchange for equity securities of Wizard Parent, as provided for by the Investment Agreement described in and attached as an exhibit to the Schedule 13D/A filed on November 26, 2010 with the SEC by the Elliott 13D Filers. In total, the equity commitments are for an aggregate amount up to $425 million. The funding of the financing contemplated by the equity commitment letters is subject to several conditions, including the prior fulfillment of the conditions precedent to Attachmate’s and Merger Sub’s obligations to consummate the merger under the Merger Agreement and the contemporaneous closing of the merger. The obligation of the equity investors to fund their respective equity commitments will expire upon certain events, including the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms and the consummation of the merger after giving effect to the equity contributions.

Debt Financing. In connection with Attachmate’s entry into the Merger Agreement, Attachmate, NetIQ and Merger Sub received a debt commitment letter, dated November 21, 2010, from Credit Suisse AG, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Royal Bank of Canada, RBC Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Citadel Securities Trading LLC and Citadel Securities LLC (collectively, the “Commitment Parties”). The debt commitment letter provides in the aggregate up to $1.09 billion in debt financing to Attachmate, NetIQ and Merger Sub. The facilities contemplated by the debt financing are subject to certain closing conditions, including without limitation, that, since July 31, 2010, there has not occurred any “Company Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and the negotiation, execution and delivery of definitive debt agreements. The debt commitment terminates automatically if the initial funding of the facilities does not occur on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 20, 2011 (or such earlier date on which the Merger Agreement is terminated).

Attachmate has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange and obtain financing, consisting of equity and debt financing, on the terms and conditions set forth in the equity and debt commitment letters described above and described more fully elsewhere in this proxy statement. Attachmate has further agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain in effect such commitment letters and any related definitive agreements, timely satisfy all conditions in the financing agreements applicable to it and Merger Sub in order to obtain the financing, consummate the equity financing at or prior to the closing of the merger, negotiate and enter into definitive agreements with respect to the debt financing and provide copies of such agreements to us, consummate the debt financing at or prior to the closing of the merger and fully enforce any counterparties’

 

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obligations and its own rights under any financing agreements. If any portion of the debt financing becomes unavailable on the terms and conditions contemplated by the applicable financing agreements, Attachmate will promptly notify us and will use its reasonable best efforts to arrange and obtain alternative financing from alternative sources in an amount sufficient to consummate the merger with terms and conditions not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to Attachmate, Merger Sub and us than the terms and conditions in the applicable existing debt financing agreements.

If the closing of the merger does not occur on or prior to March 31, 2011, Attachmate is required to use its reasonable best efforts to extend the term of the debt commitment letter upon terms and conditions substantially similar to those currently reflected in the debt commitment letter to a date that is not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after April 20, 2011, which is the date on which either party may terminate the Merger Agreement if the merger has not been consummated, provided certain conditions are met. In the event that Attachmate successfully extends the term of the debt commitment letter and certain conditions have been met prior to April 20, 2011, the date on which either party may terminate the Merger Agreement will be automatically extended until the expiration of the extension; provided that Attachmate and its affiliates, including the equity investors under the equity commitment letters, will not be required to pay any out-of-pocket fees or expenses to or on behalf of such lenders or to contribute additional equity with respect to the merger.

The Special Meeting (page 25)

Date, Time and Place. A special meeting of our stockholders will be held on [                    ], 2011, at [            ], at [            ], local time, to consider and vote on:

 

   

adoption of the Merger Agreement; and

 

   

authorizing our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement at the time of the special meeting.

Stockholders will also consider and act upon such other business that may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Record Date and Voting Power. You are entitled to vote at the special meeting if you owned shares of our common stock at the close of business on [                    ] the record date for the special meeting. You will have one vote at the special meeting for each share of our common stock you owned at the close of business on the record date. The outstanding shares of our common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to cast a total of [            ] votes at the special meeting.

Required Vote. The adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Approval of any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter.

Revocation of Proxies (page 27)

You may change your vote at any time before your proxy card is voted at the special meeting. If your shares are registered in your name, you may revoke your proxy by:

 

   

delivering a written revocation of the proxy, or a later dated, signed proxy card, to our corporate secretary at our corporate offices at 404 Wyman Street, Suite 500, Waltham, MA 02451, or by fax to the attention of Scott N. Semel, Secretary, at (781) 464-8062, on or before the business day prior to the special meeting;

 

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delivering a new, later dated proxy by telephone or via the Internet until immediately prior to the special meeting;

 

   

delivering a written revocation or later dated, signed proxy card to us at the special meeting prior to the taking of the vote on the matters to be considered at the special meeting; or

 

   

attending the special meeting and voting in person.

If you have instructed a broker, bank or other nominee to vote your shares, you may revoke your proxy only by following the directions received from your broker, bank or other nominee to change those instructions.

Revocation of the proxy will not affect any vote previously taken. Attendance at the special meeting will not in itself constitute the revocation of a proxy; you must vote in person at the special meeting to revoke a previously delivered proxy.

Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger (page 63)

When considering the recommendation of Novell’s board of directors, you should be aware that Novell’s directors and executive officers have interests in the merger other than their interests as Novell stockholders generally, as described below. These interests may be different from, or in conflict with, your interests as a Novell stockholder. The members of our board of directors were aware of these additional interests, and considered them, when they approved the Merger Agreement. These interests include the following:

 

   

enhanced severance payments and benefits upon a qualifying termination of employment;

 

   

the accelerated vesting and cash out of equity awards and the accelerated vesting of deferred compensation arrangements; and

 

   

following the effective time of the merger, the surviving corporation of the merger will provide continued indemnification and directors’ and officers’ liability insurance applicable to the period prior to the effective time of the merger.

Conditions to the Closing of the Merger (page 85)

Each party’s obligation to consummate the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions.

The obligations of Novell, Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following conditions:

 

   

the adoption of the Merger Agreement by our stockholders;

 

   

the absence of any law or order or other action by a governmental entity of competent jurisdiction enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the merger; and

 

   

the expiration or termination of the waiting period (and any extensions) applicable to the merger under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the “HSR Act”) and the receipt of all consents under other applicable antitrust laws, including the approval by the German antitrust authority, the Federal Cartel Office (“FCO”), under the German Act against Restraints of Competition in the version of 15 July 2005, as amended (the “ARC”).

In addition, the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following additional conditions (except that Attachmate and Merger Sub

 

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may not rely on the failure of any of the following conditions to be satisfied if such failure was caused by their failure to act in good faith or use their reasonable best efforts to consummate the merger, as required by and subject to the terms of the merger agreement):

 

   

our representations and warranties being true and accurate both when made and on the closing date of the merger, except with respect to certain of our representations and warranties for which the failure to be true and accurate would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a “Company Material Adverse Effect;”

 

   

our performance or compliance in all material respects with all agreements or covenants required to be performed or complied with by us at or prior to the effective time of the merger;

 

   

no “Company Material Adverse Effect” having occurred since the date of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing of the patent sale, the closing of the patent sale and our receipt of the $450 million payable in connection with that closing;

 

   

the availability to us and our subsidiaries of cash and cash equivalents equal to approximately $1.03 billion; and

 

   

our delivery to Attachmate of a certificate, dated as of the closing date of the merger, signed by one of our officers, certifying to the satisfaction of the above described conditions.

In addition, our obligations to consummate the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following additional conditions (except that we may not rely on the failure of any of the following conditions to be satisfied if such failure was caused by our failure to act in good faith or use our reasonable best efforts to consummate the merger, as required by and subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement):

 

   

Attachmate’s representations and warranties being true and accurate both when made and on the closing date of the merger, except where the failure to be true and accurate would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a “Parent Material Adverse Effect;”

 

   

Attachmate’s performance or compliance in all material respects with all agreements or covenants required to be performed or complied with by it at or prior to the effective time of the merger (the “Attachmate Covenant Condition”); and

 

   

Attachmate’s delivery to us of a certificate, dated as of the closing date of the merger, signed by one of its officers, certifying to the satisfaction of the above described conditions.

Our and CPTN’s obligations to consummate the patent sale, in turn, are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions, including, without limitation: (i) the absence of any law, order or other action enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the patent sale; (ii) the absence of any threatened or pending action by any governmental entity challenging or seeking to prevent, alter or materially delay the patent sale, or seeking to restrain the operation of CPTN or to require CPTN or any of its members or affiliates to divest any assets or businesses or to agree to restrictions on its assets or businesses; (iii) with respect to CPTN’s obligations only, the absence of certain threatened or pending actions by third parties seeking to prevent or delay the closing of the patent sale beyond a reasonable period of time and that, if successful, would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the benefits of the patent sale to CPTN in any material respect; (iv) our and CPTN’s respective performance or compliance in all material respects with all agreements or covenants required to be performed by each of us at or prior to the closing of the patent sale; (v) the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions to the consummation of the merger (other than the closing of the patent sale), and the parties to the Merger Agreement shall be ready, willing and able to consummate the Merger immediately after the closing of the patent sale; (vi) the expiration or termination of the waiting period applicable to the consummation of the patent sale under the HSR Act and the receipt of all consents under other applicable antitrust laws, including the approval by the FCO under the ARC; (vii) the obtaining of all required approvals of any government entity; and (viii) our and CPTN’s respective representations and warranties being true and correct. For additional information regarding the patent sale, see “The Merger – The Patent Sale” beginning on page 59.

 

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Restrictions on Solicitation of Other Offers (page 86)

We have agreed that we will not, and that we will use our reasonable best efforts to cause our officers, employees and other authorized representatives not to:

 

   

initiate, solicit or knowingly take any action to facilitate or encourage the submission of, or participate or engage in any negotiations or discussions with respect to any “acquisition proposal;”

 

   

in connection with any potential “acquisition proposal,” disclose or furnish any nonpublic information or data to any person concerning Novell or afford any person other than Attachmate or its officers, employees or other authorized representatives access to properties, books or records, except as required by law or in response to an unsolicited “acquisition proposal;” or

 

   

enter into or execute, or propose to enter into or execute, any acquisition agreement.

However, we and our officers, employees and other authorized representatives may, in response to an “acquisition proposal” that was not solicited by us, any of our subsidiaries or any of our officers, employees and other authorized representatives, participate in discussions or negotiations with, or furnish nonpublic information or data to the person making the proposal if:

 

   

our board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside counsel, that such a proposal is, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, a “superior proposal;” or

 

   

our board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that the failure to participate in such discussions or negotiations, or to furnish nonpublic information or data would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties.

We may not grant any waiver, amendment or release under any standstill agreement unless our board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that the failure to grant any such waiver, amendment or release would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable law.

We are required to notify Attachmate of our receipt of any “acquisition proposal,” the price and other material terms and conditions of any such proposal (including the identity of the person making the proposal) and of any changes or supplements to the proposal. We are also required to notify Attachmate of any decision of our board of directors as to whether to consider any “acquisition proposal” or to enter into discussions or negotiations concerning any “acquisition proposal” or to provide nonpublic information or data. We will also provide Attachmate with copies of all written “acquisition proposals” and written notice containing information concerning the status and material terms of any “acquisition proposal” within the earlier of 48 hours and one business day after receipt and promptly (and in any event within 24 hours of such determination) notify Attachmate of any determination by our board of directors that an “acquisition proposal” constitutes a “superior proposal.”

Termination of the Merger Agreement (page 88)

Novell and Attachmate may agree to terminate the Merger Agreement at any time prior to the effective time of the merger, even after our stockholders have adopted the Merger Agreement at the special meeting.

In addition, we, on the one hand, and Attachmate, on the other hand, each have separate rights to terminate the Merger Agreement without the agreement of the other party if:

 

   

the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments), except that this termination right will not be available to any party whose breach of the Merger Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the merger to occur on or prior to such date; or

 

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any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction has enacted or issued any final and non-appealable law or order or taken any other final and non-appealable action enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the merger, except that this termination right will not be available to any party who has not used their reasonable best efforts to consummate the merger; or

 

   

our stockholders do not vote to adopt the Merger Agreement at the special meeting.

Attachmate may also terminate the Merger Agreement if:

 

   

we breach any of our covenants or agreements or any of our representations or warranties fail to be true and accurate, such that a condition obligating Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger would not be satisfied and such breach or failure is not capable of being cured or is not timely cured, except that Attachmate may not terminate on this basis if Attachmate has not, in all material respects, performed or complied with all covenants required to be performed or complied with by it under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the effective time of the merger; or

 

   

(A) our board of directors or any board committee (i) withdraws or modifies, or publicly proposes to withdraw or modify, its recommendation of the merger to our stockholders in a manner adverse to Attachmate; (ii) approves, adopts or recommends, or publicly proposes to approve, adopt or recommend, an “acquisition proposal;” (iii) fails to recommend against acceptance of a tender or exchange offer for our outstanding common stock within ten business days after the commencement of such tender or exchange offer; or (iv) recommends that our stockholders reject adoption of the Merger Agreement or the merger; or (B) we have materially breached our obligations with respect to the convening of the special meeting or the preparation of this proxy statement; or

 

   

we have willfully breached our obligations with respect to an “acquisition proposal.”

Additionally, we may terminate the Merger Agreement if:

 

   

Attachmate breaches any of its covenants or agreements or any of its representations or warranties fail to be true and accurate, such that a condition obligating us to consummate the merger would not be satisfied and such breach or failure is not capable of being cured or is not timely cured, except that we may not terminate on this basis if we are then in breach of any of our representations or warranties that would result in any of our representations or warranties failing to be true and accurate (except with respect to certain of our representations and warranties for which the failure to be true and accurate would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a “Company Material Adverse Effect”); or

 

   

we enter into a definitive acquisition agreement with respect to a “superior proposal” prior to our stockholders voting to adopt the Merger Agreement, provided that we comply with our obligations with respect to “acquisition proposals” and pay Attachmate the termination fee described below; or

 

   

(i) on the date of termination (A) all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition, and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived; (B) to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (x) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring; (y) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale; and (z) we have no knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied; (C) Attachmate’s marketing period has expired; and (D) January 23, 2011 has passed; (ii) we have irrevocably confirmed that all of the conditions to our obligation to consummate

 

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the merger have been satisfied or waived; and (iii) the merger is not consummated on the scheduled closing date.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated, the Patent Purchase Agreement will, by its terms, automatically terminate, except that:

 

   

if the Merger Agreement is terminated because we receive an “acquisition proposal” that contemplates an acquisition of us (other than an acquisition proposal that contemplates we will retain all of the 882 issued patents and patent applications) and we deem such a proposal to be a “superior proposal,” CPTN may elect to continue the Patent Purchase Agreement in which case the Patent Purchase Agreement will remain in full force and effect, except that references to the Merger Agreement will automatically be deemed to be to the acquisition agreement between us and the party from which we accepted the “superior proposal;” and

 

   

if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason (other than our receipt of an “acquisition proposal” for our entire company that we deem to be a “superior proposal”), CPTN may elect to continue the Patent Purchase Agreement in which case the Patent Purchase Agreement will remain in full force and effect, except that references to the Merger Agreement will have no effect.

In the event that CPTN has elected to continue the Patent Purchase Agreement following a termination of the Merger Agreement as described above, we and CPTN will enter into a royalty-free, fully paid-up patent cross license for no additional consideration, effective as of the closing of the patent sale, with respect to all patents and patent applications owned or controlled by us and CPTN on mutually acceptable terms that are no less favorable in the aggregate to either party than the terms of any other patent cross license offered by CPTN to any other person (other than any member of CPTN or an affiliate of any such member). For additional information regarding the patent sale, see “The Merger – The Patent Sale” beginning on page 59.

Fees and Expenses (page 89)

All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the merger generally will be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses, whether or not the merger is consummated.

Termination Fee Payable by Novell. We must pay Attachmate a termination fee of $60 million, in cash, net of any fees and expenses paid or payable by Novell on behalf of Attachmate in connection with the merger, if:

 

   

we terminate the Merger Agreement in order to enter into a definitive acquisition agreement with respect to a “superior proposal” prior to our stockholders voting to adopt the Merger Agreement, provided that we comply with our obligations with respect to “acquisition proposals;” or

 

   

Attachmate terminates the Merger Agreement because (A) our board of directors or any board committee (i) withdraws or modifies, or publicly proposes to withdraw or modify, its recommendation of the merger to our stockholders in a manner adverse to Attachmate; (ii) approves, adopts or recommends, or publicly proposes to approve, adopt or recommend, an “acquisition proposal;” (iii) fails to recommend against acceptance of a tender or exchange offer for our outstanding common stock within ten business days after the commencement of such tender or exchange offer; or (iv) recommends that our stockholders reject adoption of the Merger Agreement or the merger; or (B) we have materially breached our obligations with respect to the convening of the special meeting or the preparation of this proxy statement; or

 

   

either we or Attachmate terminate the Merger Agreement because our stockholders have not voted to adopt the Merger Agreement and after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to such termination, there has been publicly disclosed for the first time and not withdrawn prior to the special meeting an “acquisition proposal,” and at any time on or prior to the 12 month anniversary of such termination, we

 

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enter into a definitive agreement with respect to any “acquisition proposal” or the transactions contemplated by any “acquisition proposal” are consummated; or

 

   

we terminate the Merger Agreement because the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments) and after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to such termination, there has been publicly disclosed for the first time prior to such termination an “acquisition proposal” and at any time on or prior to the 12 month anniversary of such termination we enter into a definitive agreement with respect to any “acquisition proposal” or the transactions contemplated by any “acquisition proposal” are consummated; or

 

   

we terminate the Merger Agreement because the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments) and after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to such termination, there has been no public disclosure of an “acquisition proposal” and there is made known to our board of directors a “qualifying proposal” and at any time on or prior to the 12 month anniversary of such termination we enter into a definitive agreement with respect to any “qualifying proposal” or the transactions contemplated by any “qualifying proposal” are consummated; or

 

   

Attachmate terminates the Merger Agreement because the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments) and after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to such termination, there has been publicly disclosed for the first time, or made known to our board of directors, a “qualifying proposal” and at any time on or prior to the 12 month anniversary of such termination we enter into a definitive agreement with respect to any “qualifying proposal” or the transactions contemplated by any “qualifying proposal” are consummated; or

 

   

Attachmate terminates the Merger Agreement because we have willfully breached our obligations with respect to an “acquisition proposal” and the breach results from discussions or communications initiated by us or any of our officers, employees or other authorized representatives with the intent of receiving an “acquisition proposal.”

However, unless we are otherwise obligated to pay the $60 million termination fee described above at the time of termination, we must reimburse Attachmate for all of the reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by it or its affiliates in connection with the merger, with such reimbursement not to exceed an aggregate of $15 million if:

 

   

we or Attachmate terminate the Merger Agreement because our stockholders have not voted to adopt the Merger Agreement; or

 

   

Attachmate terminates the Merger Agreement because we breach any of our covenants or agreements or any of our representations or warranties fail to be true and accurate, such that a condition obligating Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger would not be satisfied and such breach or failure is not capable of being cured or is not timely cured, except that Attachmate may not terminate on this basis if it is then in breach of any covenant required to be performed, or complied with, by it at or prior to the effective time of the merger; or

 

   

we or Attachmate terminate the Merger Agreement because the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments), all of the shared conditions to the obligations of us, Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger have been satisfied or waived, the closing of the patent sale has not occurred and nothing has occurred and no condition exists that would cause any of our obligations to consummate the merger to fail to be satisfied.

Our reimbursement of Attachmate’s expenses does not relieve us of any subsequent obligation to pay the $60 million termination fee (net of such expenses).

 

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Termination Fee Payable by Attachmate. Attachmate must pay us a termination fee of $120 million if we terminate the Merger Agreement because:

 

   

Attachmate breaches any of its covenants or agreements or any of its representations or warranties fail to be true and accurate, such that a condition obligating us to consummate the merger would not be satisfied and such breach or failure is not capable of being cured or is not timely cured and either (i) such breach was willful or (ii) on the date of termination, (A) all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition, and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived; (B) to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (x) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring; (y) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale; and (z) we have no knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied; (C) Attachmate’s marketing period has expired; and (D) January 23, 2011 has passed; or

 

   

(i) on the date of termination (A) all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition, and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived; (B) to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (x) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring; (y) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale; and (z) we have no knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied; (C) Attachmate’s marketing period has expired; and (D) January 23, 2011 has passed; (ii) we have irrevocably confirmed that all of the conditions to our obligation to consummate the merger have been satisfied or waived; and (iii) the merger is not consummated on the scheduled closing date; provided that Attachmate is not required to pay the termination fee if the closing of the patent sale has not occurred and we fail to provide Attachmate with written confirmation from CPTN that on the closing date CPTN had sufficient funds to pay the $450 million purchase price.

Limited Guarantees (page 62)

Francisco Partners and Francisco Partners Fund A, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund, L.P. and Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund-A, L.P., Thoma Cressey Fund VII, L.P., Thoma Cressey Friends Fund VII, L.P. and Thoma Bravo Fund IX, L.P., and the Elliott Parties have entered into limited guarantees in favor of Novell dated November 21, 2010. Each limited guarantee guarantees, severally and not jointly, and subject to the terms and conditions of the limited guarantees and up to the specified percentage of the maximum amount described therein, the payment of any termination fee that may become payable by Attachmate under certain specified circumstances and certain other specified obligations of Attachmate under the Merger Agreement.

Litigation Related to the Merger (page 62)

In November and December 2010, individuals and/or entities claiming to be our stockholders filed putative class action lawsuits challenging the merger. As of December 21, 2010, fourteen actions had been filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, one action had been filed in the Superior Court of Massachusetts, and three actions

 

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had been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. All of the actions are brought against the members of our board of directors, and all but one of the actions also name us as a defendant.

The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that our directors failed to fulfill their fiduciary duties with regard to the merger by failing to maximize our value to our public stockholders and that the entities named in the complaints aided and abetted those alleged breaches. Five of the actions also allege, among other things, that our directors failed to fulfill their fiduciary duties with regard to the patent sale. The plaintiffs seek orders that, among other things, certify the cases as class actions, enjoin the merger, award plaintiffs and the putative class damages in the event that the merger is consummated, and award plaintiffs costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. On December 20, 2010, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered an order that, among other things, consolidated the cases filed in that court and appointed co-lead plaintiffs. We believe that there are substantial legal and factual defenses to the claims and intend to pursue them vigorously.

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger (page 71)

The receipt of cash in exchange for Novell common stock will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes and may also be taxable under applicable state, local, foreign or other tax laws. In general, United States holders of Novell common stock who receive cash in exchange for their shares pursuant to the merger will recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares exchanged and the amount of cash received. If the United States holder holds Novell common stock as a capital asset, any gain or loss generally should be capital gain or loss. If the United States holder has held the shares for more than one year, any gain or loss generally should be long-term capital gain or loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Tax matters are very complex, and the tax consequences of the merger to you will depend on the facts of your own situation. You should consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the merger to you, including the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the merger.

Regulatory Matters (page 73)

Under the HSR Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, certain transactions, including the merger, may not be consummated unless certain waiting period requirements have expired or been terminated. The HSR Act provides that each party must file a pre-merger notification with the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”). A transaction notifiable under the HSR Act may not be completed until the expiration of a 30-calendar-day waiting period following the parties’ filing of their respective HSR Act notification forms or the early termination of that waiting period.

The parties to the merger originally filed their respective notification and report forms pursuant to the HSR Act with the FTC and DOJ on December 1, 2010 and the initial 30-day waiting period would have expired on December 31, 2010. In order to provide the DOJ with additional time to review the information submitted by the parties, Attachmate is voluntarily withdrawing its HSR Act notification form, effective December 31, 2010 and intends to re-file for the same transaction on or about January 3, 2011. The effect of this re-filing will also be to extend the waiting period under the HSR Act to a date 30 days from the date of the re-filing, unless earlier terminated or extended by the DOJ requesting additional information from the parties.

The merger was also subject to review and approval by the FCO. Attachmate, with the consent of Novell, filed the appropriate notification in Germany, and the FCO granted clearance to the merger transaction on December 23, 2010 stating that it will not oppose the merger transaction.

Under the HSR Act, the patent sale also may not be completed until the expiration of a 30-calendar-day waiting period following the filing by the parties to that transaction of their respective HSR Act notification

 

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forms or the early termination of that waiting period. The parties to the patent sale originally filed their respective notification and report forms pursuant to the HSR Act with the FTC and DOJ on December 1, 2010 and the initial 30-day waiting period would have expired on December 31, 2010. In order to provide the DOJ with additional time to review the information submitted by the parties, CPTN is voluntarily withdrawing its HSR Act notification form, effective December 30, 2010 and intends to re-file for the same transaction on or before January 4, 2011. The effect of this re-filing will also be to extend the waiting period under the HSR Act to a date 30 days from the date of the re-filing, unless earlier terminated or extended by the DOJ requesting additional information from the parties. CPTN has also filed the appropriate notification in Germany and is pursuing FCO approval of the implementation of CPTN. The initial one month waiting period will expire at 11:59 p.m. on January  6, 2011, unless the FCO grants early termination.

Appraisal Rights (page 95)

Holders of our common stock who object to the merger may elect to pursue their appraisal rights to receive the judicially determined “fair value” of their shares, which could be more or less than, or the same as, the $6.10 per share cash merger consideration under the Merger Agreement, but only if they comply with the procedures required under Delaware law. In order to qualify for these rights, you must (1) not vote in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement, (2) make a written demand for appraisal prior to the taking of the vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement at the special meeting and (3) otherwise comply with the Delaware law procedures for exercising appraisal rights. For a summary of these Delaware law procedures, see “Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 95. A properly executed proxy that is not marked “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN” will be voted for adoption of the Merger Agreement and will disqualify the stockholder submitting that proxy from demanding appraisal rights.

A copy of Section 262 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (“DGCL”), is included as Annex D to this proxy statement. Failure to follow the procedures set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL will result in the loss of appraisal rights.

 

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETING AND THE MERGER

The following questions and answers are intended to address some commonly asked questions regarding the special meeting of stockholders, the merger and the patent sale. These questions and answers may not address all questions that may be important to you as a Novell stockholder. We urge you to read carefully the more detailed information contained elsewhere in this proxy statement and the annexes to this proxy statement.

The Proposed Merger

 

Q: What will happen in the proposed merger?

 

A: Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Novell with Novell continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate.

 

Q: What will I receive for my shares of Novell common stock in the merger?

 

A: As a result of the merger, Novell stockholders will be entitled to receive $6.10 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, for each share of our common stock they own as of the effective time of the merger. For example, if you own 1,000 shares of our common stock, you will be entitled to receive $6,100 in cash, less any applicable withholding taxes, in exchange for your 1,000 shares.

 

Q: What will the holders of Novell stock awards receive in the merger?

 

A: In general, stock awards will be cancelled and converted or adjusted in the merger and their holders will be entitled to receive cash payments in amounts based upon the $6.10 per share cash merger consideration and the number of shares of common stock underlying or constituting such award. See “The Merger Agreement – Treatment of Equity Awards and Other Equity-Based Compensation” beginning on page 77.

 

Q: What effects will the proposed merger have on Novell?

 

A: Upon completion of the proposed merger, Novell will cease to be a publicly traded company and will be wholly owned by Attachmate. As a result, you will no longer have any interest in our future earnings or growth, if any. Following completion of the merger, the registration of our common stock and our reporting obligations with respect to our common stock under the Exchange Act are expected to be terminated. In addition, upon completion of the proposed merger, shares of Novell common stock will no longer be listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market.

 

Q: Is the proposed merger dependent on the proposed patent sale having occurred?

 

A: Yes. Under the Merger Agreement, the closing of the proposed merger is conditioned on the closing of the proposed patent sale having occurred.

For a further description of the respective closing conditions to the proposed patent sale and the proposed merger, see “The Merger – The Patent Sale” beginning on page 59 and “The Merger Agreement – Conditions to the Closing of the Merger” beginning on page 85.

 

Q: Will Novell stockholders receive any of the proceeds from the proposed patent sale?

 

A: There will be no adjustment to the per share merger consideration as a result of completion of the patent sale. The $6.10 price per share being offered by Attachmate in the merger assumes that the proposed patent sale has been completed and that Novell will have the $450 million cash proceeds from the patent sale on hand at the effective time of the merger.

 

Q: What regulatory approvals and filings are needed to complete the merger?

 

A: The merger is subject to compliance with the applicable requirements of the HSR Act and of the ARC. See “The Merger – Regulatory Matters” beginning on page 73.

 

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Q: When do you expect the merger to be completed?

 

A: We are working toward completing the merger as quickly as possible and currently expect to consummate the merger in the first calendar quarter of 2011. In addition to obtaining stockholder approval, we must satisfy all other closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and the consummation of the patent sale, and the marketing period in connection with Attachmate’s debt financing for the merger must have expired or terminated.

 

Q: What happens if the merger is not completed?

 

A: If the Merger Agreement is not adopted by our stockholders, or if the merger is not completed for any other reason, our stockholders will not receive any payment for their shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement. Instead, Novell will remain as a public company and our common stock will continue to be registered under the Exchange Act and listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Under specified circumstances, Novell may be required to pay Attachmate a termination fee or certain of Attachmate’s expenses or Attachmate may be required to pay Novell a termination fee, in each case, as described in “The Merger Agreement – Fees and Expenses” beginning on page 89. In addition, if the merger is not completed, the patent sale may also not be completed.

 

Q: Am I entitled to exercise appraisal rights instead of receiving the per share cash merger consideration for my shares?

 

A: Yes. Our stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights under Delaware law by following the requirements specified in Section 262 of the DGCL. A copy of Section 262 is attached as Annex D to this proxy statement. See “Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 95.

 

Q: Do any of Novell’s directors or officers have interests in the merger that may differ from those of Novell stockholders?

 

A: Each of our executive officers is party to an agreement with us that entitles them to receive severance benefits upon their involuntary termination prior to a change in control and upon a change in control. In addition, certain of our directors and executive officers hold stock options, shares of restricted stock, and/or restricted stock units which will be cashed out in connection with the merger. See “The Merger – Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 63 for a description of these and other rights of our directors and executive officers that come into effect in connection with the merger.

 

Q: What factors did the Novell board of directors consider in making its recommendation?

 

A: In making its recommendation, our board of directors considered a number of factors, including, among others, historical market prices of our common stock, the J.P. Morgan opinion, the prospective risks to us as a stand-alone public entity, the substantial number of potential buyers solicited in connection with a possible transaction and various strategic alternatives to a sale of Novell.

 

Q: What are the United States federal income tax consequences of the merger to holders of Novell common stock?

 

A: The receipt of cash in exchange for Novell common stock will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes and may also be taxable under applicable state, local, foreign or other tax laws. In general, United States holders of Novell common stock who receive cash in exchange for their shares pursuant to the merger will recognize gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between the holder’s adjusted tax basis in the shares exchanged and the amount of cash received. If the United States holder holds Novell common stock as a capital asset, any gain or loss generally should be capital gain or loss. If the United States holder has held the shares for more than one year, any gain or loss generally should be long-term capital gain or loss. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

 

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Tax matters are very complex, and the tax consequences of the merger to you will depend on the facts of your own situation. You should consult your tax advisor for a full understanding of the tax consequences of the merger to you, including the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of the merger. See “The Merger – Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger” beginning on page 71.

The Special Meeting

 

Q: Why am I receiving this proxy statement?

 

A: Our board of directors is furnishing this proxy statement in connection with the solicitation of proxies to be voted at a special meeting of stockholders, or at any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting. This document contains important information about the merger and the special meeting of stockholders, and you should read it carefully.

 

Q: Where and when is the special meeting of stockholders?

 

A: The special meeting of our stockholders will be held on [                    ], 2011 at [        ], local time, at [        ].

 

Q: What am I being asked to vote on?

 

A: You will be asked to consider and vote on the following proposals:

 

   

to adopt the Merger Agreement; and

 

   

to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement at the time of the special meeting.

Stockholders will also consider and act upon other business that may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.

 

Q: How does Novell’s board recommend that I vote?

 

A: At a meeting held on November 21, 2010, our board of directors approved the Merger Agreement and determined that the Merger Agreement and the terms and conditions of the merger and the Merger Agreement are advisable and in the best interests of Novell and its stockholders. Our board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement and “FOR” any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement at the time of the special meeting.

 

Q: What is a quorum?

 

A: A quorum of the holders of the outstanding shares of Novell’s common stock must be present for the special meeting to be held. A quorum is present if the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the record date are present at the meeting, either in person or represented by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, are counted as present for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. Broker non-votes occur in respect of shares held in “street name” when the broker indicates that voting instructions for a particular matter have not been received from the beneficial owners or other persons entitled to vote those shares and the broker does not have discretionary voting authority to vote those shares on that particular matter.

Voting and Proxy Procedures

 

Q: Who is entitled to vote at the special meeting?

 

A: Only stockholders of record as of the close of business on [            ] are entitled to receive notice of the special meeting and to vote the shares of our common stock that they held at that time at the special meeting, or at any adjournments or postponements of the special meeting.

 

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Q: What vote is required to adopt the Merger Agreement?

 

A: The proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement must be approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting.

 

Q: Is my vote required for the patent sale?

 

A: No. The patent sale does not require a vote of Novell’s stockholders.

 

Q: What vote is required to approve any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies?

 

A: Any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter.

 

Q: If my broker holds my shares in “street name,” will my broker vote my shares for me?

 

A: Your broker will not be able to vote your shares without instructions from you. You should instruct your broker to vote your shares in accordance with the procedure provided by your broker. Without instructions from you, your shares will not be voted, which will have the same effect as if you voted “AGAINST” adoption of the Merger Agreement; such an occurrence will have no effect on the voting on any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.

 

Q: What do I need to do now?

 

A: We urge you to read this proxy statement carefully and consider how the merger affects you. Then mail your completed, dated and signed proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid return envelope as soon as possible, or submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone, so that your shares can be voted at the special meeting of our stockholders. Please do not send your stock certificates with your proxy card.

 

Q: May I vote in person?

 

A: Yes. If your shares are registered in your name, you may attend the special meeting and vote your shares in person, rather than signing and returning your proxy card by mail or submitting a proxy via the Internet or telephone. If your shares are held in “street name,” you must obtain a proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee in order to attend the special meeting and vote in person. Even if you plan to attend the special meeting in person, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy by mail or submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone to ensure that your shares will be represented at the special meeting.

 

Q: May I submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone?

 

A: If your shares are registered in your name, you may cause your shares to be voted by returning a signed proxy card by mail or vote in person at the special meeting. Additionally, you may submit a proxy authorizing the voting of your shares via the Internet at [            ] or telephonically by calling [            ] in the United States or [            ] from foreign countries. You must have the enclosed proxy card available, and follow the instructions on the proxy card, in order to submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone. If your shares are held in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, you may provide voting instructions by completing and returning the voting form provided by your broker, bank or other nominee, or via the Internet or telephone through your broker, bank or other nominee if your broker, bank or other nominee provides such a service. To provide voting instructions via the Internet or telephone through your broker, bank or other nominee, you should follow the instructions on the voting form provided by your broker, bank or other nominee.

 

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Q: What happens if I do not return my proxy card by mail, submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone or attend the special meeting and vote in person?

 

A: The adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Therefore, if you do not return your proxy card, submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone, or attend the special meeting and vote in person, it will have the same effect as if you voted “AGAINST” adoption of the Merger Agreement. In the event that a quorum is not present at the special meeting, it is expected that the meeting will be adjourned to solicit additional proxies. If a quorum is present in person or represented by proxy at the special meeting, approval of any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter. If you do not vote in person or by proxy, it will have no effect on the voting on any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.

 

Q: May I change my vote after I have mailed my signed proxy card?

 

A: Yes. You may change your vote at any time before your proxy card is voted at the special meeting. If your shares are registered in your name, you may revoke your proxy by:

 

   

delivering a written revocation of the proxy or a later dated, signed proxy card, to our corporate secretary at our corporate offices at 404 Wyman Street, Suite 500, Waltham, MA 02451, or by fax to the attention of Scott N. Semel, Secretary, at (781) 464-8062, on or before the business day prior to the special meeting;

 

   

delivering a new, later dated proxy by telephone or via the Internet until immediately prior to the special meeting;

 

   

delivering a written revocation or a later dated, signed proxy card to us at the special meeting prior to the taking of the vote on the matters to be considered at the special meeting; or

 

   

attending the special meeting and voting in person.

If you have instructed a broker, bank or other nominee to vote your shares, you may revoke your proxy only by following the directions received from your broker, bank or other nominee to change those instructions.

Revocation of the proxy will not affect any vote previously taken. Attendance at the special meeting will not in itself constitute the revocation of a proxy; you must vote in person at the special meeting to revoke a previously delivered proxy.

 

Q: What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials?

 

A: You may receive more than one set of voting materials, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction card for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a stockholder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please complete, sign, date and return by mail (or submit via the Internet or telephone) each proxy card and voting instruction card that you receive.

 

Q: What happens if I sell my shares of Novell common stock before the special meeting?

 

A: The record date for the special meeting, [            ] is earlier than the date of the special meeting and the date the merger is expected to be completed. If you transfer your shares of our common stock after the record date but before the special meeting, you will retain your right to vote at the special meeting, but will transfer the right to receive the per share cash merger consideration.

 

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Q: Should I send in my stock certificates now?

 

A: No. After the merger is completed, you will receive written instructions for exchanging your shares of our common stock for the per share merger consideration of $6.10 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, for each share of our common stock you hold.

 

Q: Will a proxy solicitor be used?

 

A: Yes. Novell has engaged Morrow & Co., LLC (“Morrow”) to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting and Novell estimates that it will pay Morrow a fee of approximately $20,000 plus reimbursement for disbursements. Novell has also agreed to provide Morrow an advance of $10,000 against disbursements incurred in connection with the proxy solicitation.

 

Q: Who can help answer my questions?

 

A: If you would like additional copies, without charge, of this proxy statement or if you have questions about the merger, including the procedures for voting your shares, you should contact:

Novell, Inc.

Attn: Investor Relations

404 Wyman Street

Waltham, MA 02451

(781) 464-8000

or

Morrow & Co., LLC

470 West Ave

Stamford, CT 06902

(800) 276-3011 (shareholders call toll free)

(203) 658-9400 (banks and brokers call collect)

novell.info@morrowco.com (email address)

 

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THE SPECIAL MEETING

The enclosed proxy is solicited on behalf of the board of directors of Novell for use at the special meeting of stockholders or at any adjournment or postponement thereof.

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

We will hold the special meeting at [            ], at [            ], local time, on [                    ], 2011.

Purpose of the Special Meeting

The purposes of the special meeting are to consider and act upon the following matters:

 

   

To consider and vote on a proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 21, 2010, by and among Novell, Attachmate and Merger Sub, as described in this proxy statement, as it may be amended from time to time. A copy of the Merger Agreement is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement.

 

   

To consider and vote upon any proposal to authorize the Novell board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement at the time of the special meeting.

Stockholders will also consider and act on any other matters that may properly come before the special meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof by or at the direction of Novell’s board of directors.

Recommendation of Our Board of Directors

Our board of directors has determined and believes that the merger and Merger Agreement described in this proxy statement are advisable and in the best interests of Novell and our stockholders, and has approved the Merger Agreement. Our board of directors recommends that our stockholders vote “FOR” Proposal No. 1 to adopt the Merger Agreement.

Our board of directors has determined and believes that giving it the discretionary authority to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes in favor of the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement is advisable and in the best interests of, Novell and our stockholders and has approved such a proposal. Our board of directors recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” Proposal No. 2 to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes in favor of the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement.

Record Date; Shares Entitled to Vote; Quorum

Only holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on [                    ] the record date, are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting. On the record date, [            ] shares of our common stock were issued and outstanding and held by approximately [            ] holders of record. Holders of record of our common stock on the record date are entitled to one vote per share at the special meeting on the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement and any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.

A quorum of stockholders is necessary to hold a valid special meeting. Under our by-laws, a quorum is present if the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote on the record

 

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date are present at the meeting, either in person or represented by proxy. In the event that a quorum is not present at the special meeting, it is expected that the meeting will be adjourned to solicit additional proxies. For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, abstentions and broker non-votes (broker non-votes occur in respect of shares held in “street name” when the broker indicates that voting instructions for a particular matter have not been received from the beneficial owners or other persons entitled to vote those shares and the broker does not have discretionary voting authority to vote those shares on that particular matter), if any, will be counted as shares present.

Vote Required

The adoption of the Merger Agreement requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. Adoption of the Merger Agreement is a condition to the closing of the merger.

Approval of any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter.

The adoption of the Patent Purchase Agreement does not, itself, require a stockholder vote of Novell.

Voting by Novell’s Directors and Executive Officers

As of November 21, 2010, our directors and executive officers beneficially owned and were entitled to vote, in the aggregate, 2,174,447 shares of our common stock (not including shares that can be acquired through stock options that become exercisable or the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock units within 60 days of November 21, 2010), representing less than 1% of our outstanding common stock. The directors and executive officers have informed us that they currently intend to vote all of their shares of our common stock “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement and “FOR” any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting.

Attachmate Voting Agreement

According to a Schedule 13D/A filed on November 26, 2010 with the SEC by the Elliott 13D Filers, on November 21, 2010, the Elliott Parties entered into a Voting Agreement with Attachmate and Merger Sub. According to that Voting Agreement, the Elliott Parties (who, according to that same Schedule 13D/A, with Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc., collectively beneficially own 24,700,000 shares of our common stock) agreed, among other things, to vote shares of Novell common stock held by them in favor of the merger and against any proposal made in opposition to or competition with the merger. According to that Voting Agreement, the Elliott Parties also may not discuss or enter into any arrangement, agreement or offer with any third party regarding an “acquisition proposal” or the financing thereof until the Merger Agreement is terminated or, in certain circumstances described in the Voting Agreement, for 45 days after such termination. In that same Schedule 13D/A, the Elliott Parties also reported that on November 21, 2010, they entered into an Equity Commitment Letter with Attachmate, an Interim Sponsors Agreement with Francisco Partners, Francisco Partners A, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund-A, L.P., Thoma Cressey Fund VII, L.P. and Thoma Bravo Fund IX, L.P., an Investment Agreement with Wizard Parent, and a Side Letter with Francisco Partners and had delivered a Limited Guarantee to us. Copies of all of these documents were attached as exhibits to that Schedule 13D/A.

Voting of Proxies

If your shares are registered in your name, you may cause your shares to be voted by mailing a signed proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope or by voting in person at the meeting. Additionally, you may submit a proxy authorizing the voting of your shares via the Internet at [            ] or by telephone by calling

 

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[            ] in the United States or [            ] from foreign countries. You must have the enclosed proxy card available, and follow the instructions on the proxy card, in order to submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone.

If your shares are registered in your name and you plan to attend the special meeting and wish to vote in person, you will be given a ballot at the meeting. If your shares are registered in your name, you are encouraged to submit a proxy even if you plan to attend the special meeting in person.

Voting instructions are included on your proxy card. All shares represented by properly executed proxies received in time for the special meeting will be voted at the special meeting in accordance with the instructions of the stockholder. Properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be voted “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement and “FOR” any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.

If your shares are held in “street name” through a broker, bank or other nominee, you may provide voting instructions by completing and returning the voting form provided by your broker, bank or other nominee or via the Internet or by telephone through your broker, bank or other nominee if your broker, bank or other nominee provides such a service. To provide voting instructions via the Internet or telephone, you should follow the instructions on the voting form provided by your broker, bank or other nominee. If you plan to attend the special meeting, you will need a proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee in order to be given a ballot to vote the shares. If you do not return your broker’s, bank’s or other nominee’s voting form, provide voting instructions via the Internet or telephone through your broker, bank or other nominee, if possible, or attend the special meeting and vote in person with a proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee, it will have the same effect as if you voted “AGAINST” adoption of the Merger Agreement.

Stockholders that abstain from voting on a particular matter and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as votes in favor of such matter. Broker non-votes occur in respect of shares held in “street name” when the broker indicates that voting instructions for a particular matter have not been received from the beneficial owners or other persons entitled to vote those shares and the broker does not have discretionary voting authority to vote those shares on that particular matter. For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will be counted as shares present. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have the same effect as if you voted “AGAINST” adoption of the Merger Agreement. Abstentions will have the same effect as if you voted “AGAINST” any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies in the event there are not sufficient votes in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement at the time of the special meeting, and broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect on the voting of any such proposal.

Revocation of Proxies

Any proxy you give pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by you at any time before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked as follows:

If your shares are registered in your name, you may revoke your proxy by:

 

   

delivering a written revocation of the proxy, or a later dated, signed proxy card, to our corporate secretary at our corporate offices at 404 Wyman Street, Suite 500, Waltham, MA 02451, or by fax to the attention of Scott N. Semel, Secretary, at (781) 464-8062, on or before the business day prior to the special meeting;

 

   

delivering a new, later dated proxy by telephone or via the Internet until immediately prior to the special meeting;

 

   

delivering a written revocation or later dated, signed proxy card to us at the special meeting prior to the taking of the vote on the matters to be considered at the special meeting; or

 

   

attending the special meeting and voting in person.

 

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If you have instructed a broker, bank or other nominee to vote your shares, you may revoke your proxy only by following the directions received from your broker, bank or other nominee to change those instructions.

Revocation of the proxy will not affect any vote previously taken. Attendance at the special meeting will not in itself constitute the revocation of a proxy; you must vote in person at the special meeting to revoke a previously delivered proxy.

Rights of Stockholders Who Object to the Merger

Stockholders of Novell are entitled to appraisal rights under Delaware law in connection with the merger. This means that you are entitled to have the value of your shares determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery and to receive payment based on that valuation. The ultimate amount you receive as a dissenting stockholder in an appraisal proceeding may be more than, the same as or less than the amount you would have received under the Merger Agreement.

To exercise your appraisal rights, you must submit a written demand for appraisal to Novell before the vote is taken on the Merger Agreement, you must not vote in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement and you must comply with other Delaware law procedures explained in this proxy statement. Your failure to follow exactly the procedures specified under Delaware law will result in the loss of your appraisal rights. See “Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 95. The text of the Delaware appraisal rights statute is reproduced in its entirety as Annex D to this proxy statement.

Solicitation of Proxies

The expense of soliciting proxies in the enclosed form will be borne by Novell. We have retained Morrow to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the special meeting and we estimate that we will pay Morrow a fee of approximately $20,000 plus reimbursement for disbursements. We have also agreed to provide Morrow an advance of $10,000 against disbursements incurred in connection with the proxy solicitation. In addition, we may reimburse brokers, banks and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding soliciting materials to such beneficial owners. Proxies may also be solicited by certain of our directors, officers and employees, personally or by telephone, facsimile or other means of communication. No additional compensation will be paid for such services.

Other Matters

We are not currently aware of any business to be acted upon at the special meeting other than the matters discussed in this proxy statement. Under our by-laws, business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice of the special meeting, which is provided at the beginning of this proxy statement. If other matters do properly come before the special meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting by or at the direction of Novell’s board of directors, we intend that shares of Novell common stock represented by properly submitted proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors.

Stockholder List

A list of our stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting will be available for examination by any Novell stockholder at the special meeting.

For ten days prior to the special meeting, this stockholder list will be available for inspection by any stockholder for any purpose germane to the special meeting during ordinary business hours at 404 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA 02451.

 

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Availability of Documents

The reports, opinions or appraisals referenced in this proxy statement will be made available for inspection and copying during ordinary business hours at our corporate offices located at 404 Wyman Street, Suite 500, Waltham, MA 02451 by any interested holder of our common stock.

Other than with respect to parties participating in Novell’s process of reviewing strategic alternatives who properly executed non-disclosure agreements pursuant to this process, to Novell’s knowledge, no provision has been made by Novell to grant the unaffiliated stockholders of Novell access to the files of Novell, Attachmate or Merger Sub or to obtain counsel or appraisal services at the expense of any of the foregoing.

THE PARTIES TO THE MERGER

Novell, Inc.

Novell, Inc. develops, sells and installs enterprise-quality software that is positioned in the operating systems and infrastructure software layers of the information technology industry. We develop and deliver Linux operating system software for the full range of computers from desktops to servers. In addition, we provide a portfolio of integrated information technology management software for systems, identity and security management for both Linux and mixed-platform environments. We also offer a worldwide network of service personnel to help our customers and third-party partners effectively utilize our software. We were incorporated in January 1983 in Delaware and our principal executive offices are located at 404 Wyman Street, Suite 500, Waltham, MA 02451 and our telephone number is (781) 464-8000. Our website is located at http://www.novell.com. Additional information regarding Novell is contained in our filings with the SEC. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 104.

Attachmate Corporation

Attachmate Corporation, a Washington corporation, enables information technology organizations to extend mission critical services and assures they are managed, secure and compliant. Investment funds affiliated with Francisco Partners, Golden Gate Capital and Thoma Bravo are the principal stockholders of Attachmate indirectly through Wizard Parent, which holds Wizard Holding, whose principal holdings include Attachmate and NetIQ. Attachmate’s principal executive offices are located at 1500 Dexter Ave N., Seattle, WA 98109 and its telephone number is (206) 217-7100.

Longview Software Acquisition Corp.

Longview Software Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate. Merger Sub’s principal executives offices are located at 1500 Dexter Ave N., Seattle, WA 98109 and its telephone number is (206) 217-7100. Merger Sub was formed solely for the purpose of securing debt financing and engaging in the transactions described in this proxy statement and has not engaged in any business activities or conducted any operations other than in connection with the debt financing and such transactions.

Upon consummation of the merger, Merger Sub will cease to exist, and Novell will continue as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate.

THE MERGER

The following discussion summarizes the material terms of the merger. We urge you to read carefully the Merger Agreement, which is attached as Annex A to this proxy statement.

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will be merged with and into Novell with Novell continuing as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate. If the merger is completed, you will be entitled to receive $6.10 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes, in exchange for each share of our common stock that you own as of the effective time of the merger and for which you have not properly exercised appraisal rights.

 

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After the merger is completed, you will have the right to receive the $6.10 per share cash merger consideration, but you will no longer have any rights as a Novell stockholder and will have no rights as an Attachmate stockholder as a result of the merger. Novell stockholders will receive the per share cash merger consideration after surrendering their Novell shares in accordance with the instructions contained in the letter of transmittal to be sent to our stockholders shortly after closing of the merger. As a result of the merger, Novell will cease to be a publicly-traded company.

Background to the Merger

Our board of directors and management have regularly evaluated our business and operations, our long-term strategic goals and alternatives, and our prospects as an independent company. Our board of directors and management have also regularly reviewed and assessed trends and conditions impacting Novell and its industry, changes in the marketplace and applicable law, and Novell’s competitive market position, growth and revenue potential. As part of its ongoing review of Novell and its position in its industry, our board of directors has also regularly reviewed the strategic alternatives available to Novell to enhance stockholder value, including, among other things, possible strategic combinations, acquisitions and divestitures. Novell has, from time to time, received advice from J.P. Morgan in connection with certain of these reviews and evaluations.

On February 12, 2010, the Elliott Parties, together with Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc. (collectively, the “Elliott 13D Filers”), filed a Schedule 13D with the SEC reporting that the Elliott 13D Filers collectively beneficially owned 24,700,000 shares of our common stock, constituting 7.1% of all of the outstanding shares of our common stock.

On or about February 12, 2010, our board of directors received a letter sent on behalf of the Elliott Parties referencing the Elliott Parties’ ownership position in Novell, expressing concern about our publicly stated acquisition plan and requesting an opportunity to meet.

On February 26, 2010, Ronald W. Hovsepian, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Dana C. Russell, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, met with Jesse A. Cohn, Portfolio Manager of the Elliott Parties, at Novell’s offices in Waltham, Massachusetts. No material, non-public information was discussed.

On March 2, 2010, our board of directors received an unsolicited letter sent on behalf of the Elliott Parties making a conditional and non-binding proposal to acquire Novell for $5.75 per share in cash (the “Non-Binding Proposal”). The letter stated that the proposal was conditioned on a confirmatory due diligence review of us and negotiation of definitive documentation.

Also on March 2, 2010, the Elliot 13D Filers filed Amendment No. 1 to the Schedule 13D filed on February 12, 2010. In that amendment, the Elliot 13D Filers reported that they collectively beneficially owned 24,700,000 shares of our common stock, constituting 7.1% of all of the outstanding shares of our common stock, and had an economic interest in an additional 1.4% of our common stock pursuant to notional principal amount derivative agreements. That amendment described, and attached as an exhibit, the Non-Binding Proposal.

On March 2, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically to discuss the February 26, 2010 meeting of Messrs. Hovsepian and Russell with Mr. Cohn. Members of our senior management and representatives of J.P. Morgan and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (“Skadden Arps”), our outside special counsel, attended. At the meeting, a representative of J.P. Morgan made a presentation regarding background information on the Elliott Parties, including their participation in recent transactions. A representative of Skadden Arps reviewed our potential obligations under various state and federal laws with respect to activities of the Elliott Parties.

On March 2, 2010, we issued a press release in which we confirmed that we had received an unsolicited, conditional proposal from Elliott Associates, L.P. and stated that we anticipated that our board of directors would review Elliott Associates, L.P.’s proposal in consultation with our financial and legal advisors.

 

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On March 3, 2010, our board of directors received a third letter from the Elliott Parties expressing an interest in working with us towards the signing of a definitive transaction agreement with respect to the Non-Binding Proposal and attaching a due diligence request list.

On March 10, 2010, representatives of Credit Suisse, acting as financial advisor for the Elliott Parties, called J.P. Morgan on behalf of the Elliott Parties inquiring whether there was a price per share at which Novell would grant the Elliott Parties an exclusive right to negotiate with Novell regarding an acquisition.

On March 19, 2010, our board of directors met to consider and discuss the Non-Binding Proposal and our strategic alternatives. Representatives of J.P. Morgan, Skadden Arps and members of our senior management were present at the meeting. Our management and J.P. Morgan made detailed presentation to our board of directors regarding the Non-Binding Proposal and various possible alternatives to enhance stockholder value above the Non-Binding Proposal, including a return of capital to stockholders through a stock repurchase or cash dividend, strategic partnerships and alliances, joint ventures, a recapitalization and a sale of Novell (including through negotiations with the Elliott Parties) as well as proceeding in the ordinary course with management’s plans for the business. Representatives of J.P. Morgan led the board of directors through other aspects of their presentation that included, without limitation, an in-depth review of the Elliott Parties, a review of our share performance and multiple financial scenarios with respect to Novell as they related to the Non-Binding Proposal. Representatives of Skadden Arps reviewed with the directors their fiduciary duties. After a lengthy discussion, including of J.P. Morgan’s presentation, our board of directors concluded that the Non-Binding Proposal was inadequate and not in our and our stockholders’ best interests and authorized commencing a process in which the initial focus would be on a sale of the entire company together with a thorough review of the various alternatives. Our board of directors designated Richard L. Crandall, an independent director and chairman of our board of directors, to provide board of directors’ oversight with respect to the review. In the period from March and leading to the execution of the Merger Agreement and the Patent Purchase Agreement, Mr. Crandall participated in frequent discussions with members of our senior management as well as representatives of J.P. Morgan and Skadden Arps to receive updates and to provide guidance regarding the solicitation of potential buyers and negotiation of terms of transaction agreements.

On March 20, 2010, we entered into an engagement letter dated March 19, 2010 and effective as of February 24, 2010 with J.P. Morgan, pursuant to which J.P. Morgan was engaged to provide certain financial advisory services in connection with our evaluation of various alternatives, including, without limitation, a sale of all or a portion of Novell.

On March 20, 2010, we issued a press release announcing our board of directors’ conclusion that the Non-Binding Proposal was inadequate and stating that the Non-Binding Proposal undervalued our franchise and growth prospects. We also announced that our board of directors had authorized a thorough review of various alternatives to enhance stockholder value and stated, among other things, that our board of directors believed that an exploration of alternatives was in our and our stockholders’ best interests.

In the period from March 2010 through August 2010, in our review of the various alternatives to enhance stockholder value, J.P. Morgan contacted approximately 52 potential buyers for the sale of Novell. The potential buyers included large public technology companies based in the United States and internationally, as well as a number of financial buyers. On March 23, 2010, a representative of J.P. Morgan, acting on behalf of Novell, provided representatives of Credit Suisse, acting on behalf of the Elliott Parties, with Novell’s form of non-disclosure agreement. Potential buyers who responded favorably were asked to enter into non-disclosure agreements with us. In the period from March 2010 through August 2010, approximately 34 potential buyers executed non-disclosure agreements with us, including, on April 20, 2010, Wizard Holding.

On April 2, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting. At the meeting, representatives of J.P. Morgan provided an update on its contacts with potential buyers, including both strategic and financial buyers,

 

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the level of interest expressed by each potential buyer and the status of the execution of non-disclosure agreements with such buyers. A representative of Skadden Arps provided an update on the status of negotiations as to non-disclosure agreements with potential buyers.

On April 9, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically. Representatives of J.P. Morgan attended the meeting and provided our board of directors with an update of the process with respect to potential buyers. Representatives of Skadden Arps and members of our senior management also attended the meeting.

In April and May 2010, members of our management and representatives of J.P. Morgan and Skadden Arps engaged in periodic negotiations with the Elliott Parties and their legal and financial advisors regarding the terms of a non-disclosure agreement with respect to a possible transaction with us.

In April 2010, with the assistance of and in consultation with our advisors, we prepared a confidential information supplement for potential buyers. On April 20, 2010, J.P. Morgan began circulating the confidential information supplement to approximately 30 potential buyers who had executed non-disclosure agreements with us, including, without limitation, on April 22, 2010, Attachmate. The supplement was accompanied by a process letter instructing the recipients to submit preliminary proposals to J.P. Morgan by May 19, 2010.

Also on April 20, 2010, our board of directors held a meeting at which representatives of J.P. Morgan provided an update of the process with respect to potential buyers. A representative of Skadden Arps provided an update on the status of negotiations with the Elliott Parties of a non-disclosure agreement and reviewed the status of matters relating to our board of directors’ review of alternatives to enhance stockholder value, including the role of our directors. Members of our senior management also attended the meeting.

On May 7, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically. Representatives of J.P. Morgan attended the meeting and provided an update on its discussions and meetings with potential buyers, the status of the execution of non-disclosure agreements with such buyers and the status of the creation of a virtual data room in connection with the process. Representatives of Skadden Arps and members of our senior management also attended the meeting.

In May 2010, we authorized Attachmate to partner with two of its principal shareholders, Francisco Partners and Golden Gate (collectively with Attachmate, the “Attachmate Group”), for purposes of submitting a preliminary proposal.

On May 18, 2010, at Mr. Cohn’s request, Mr. Cohn, on behalf of the Elliott Parties, spoke with Mr. Crandall by phone. Mr. Cohn indicated to Mr. Crandall that despite the parties’ efforts, the Elliott Parties and we were unable to reach agreement on the terms of a non-disclosure agreement.

On May 19, 2010 and May 20, 2010, the Attachmate Group and eight other potential buyers submitted preliminary non-binding proposals to acquire us, including, without limitation, two strategic buyers to whom we refer to as “Party A” and “Party B,” respectively, and a financial buyer, to whom we refer as to “Party C.” The Attachmate Group’s preliminary non-binding proposal included a purchase price of $6.50 to $7.25 per share for all outstanding shares of our capital stock. The preliminary non-binding proposals received from the other eight potential buyers included proposed prices that ranged from $5.50 to $7.50 per share.

On May 25, 2010, our board of directors met to discuss the preliminary non-binding proposals received. A representative of Skadden Arps and representatives of J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting. At the meeting, representatives of J.P. Morgan provided an update on the process and reviewed the terms of each of the proposals. After discussion with representatives of J.P. Morgan and Skadden Arps, our board of directors agreed upon a preliminary list of five potential buyers for the next phase of the process.

 

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On June 4, 2010, as part of the next phase of the process, members of our senior management met with a potential strategic buyer that had not submitted a preliminary proposal concerning the potential buyer’s interest in a possible transaction with us. The potential strategic buyer continued to perform extensive diligence on Novell’s patent portfolio.

On June 11, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically and discussed the preliminary proposals submitted by the potential buyers, including both strategic and financial buyers, and the progress that had been made with respect to such proposals. A representative of Skadden Arps and representatives of J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting.

In June and July 2010, our management worked with J.P. Morgan to solicit additional potential buyers for a sale of 100% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. J.P. Morgan also facilitated partnering opportunities for certain of the potential buyers that expressed an interest in acquiring only certain parts of Novell, including, without limitation, a strategic buyer, to whom we refer to as “Party D,” which had entered into a non-disclosure letter with us but had not submitted a preliminary proposal.

Also in June 2010, extensive presentations were given by our management to the five potential buyers included on the preliminary list of potential parties selected on May 25, 2010 to continue in the process. Representatives of the Attachmate Group met with management on June 14, 2010. Following each presentation, our management provided access for the applicable participating buyer to the virtual data room that we had created in connection with the process. Throughout the process leading to the execution of the Merger Agreement, the virtual data room was updated with new information, including, without limitation, specific information requested by the Attachmate Group and its prospective lenders as well as other potential buyers and their respective prospective lenders who had executed non-disclosure agreements with us, including, without limitation, Parties A, B, C and D.

During June 2010, members of our management and representatives of J.P. Morgan also participated in telephonic and in-person due diligence sessions with each of the participating parties and responded to numerous questions and various requests for additional information from each of these parties.

On June 29, 2010, our board of directors held a meeting at which representatives of J.P. Morgan and Skadden Arps participated. At the meeting, a representative of J.P. Morgan provided our board of directors with an update on the process and reviewed various alternatives to enhance stockholder value. In addition, representatives of Skadden Arps explained the fiduciary duties of our board of directors for the current phase of the process. Members of our senior management also attended the meeting.

On July 9, 2010, we posted two forms of a draft merger agreement to the virtual data room, one agreement providing for a direct merger and the other providing for a merger through a tender offer, for review by participating parties along with a second process letter requesting that each such participating party submit its best and final offer by July 27, 2010, together with a mark-up of one of the forms of the draft merger agreement and evidence that it had obtained commitments for any financing that it may need to complete any proposed transaction.

During July 2010, members of our management and representatives of J.P. Morgan continued to participate in telephonic and in-person due diligence sessions with participating parties and to respond to numerous questions and requests for additional information from each of these parties. In addition, at the request of certain of the potential buyers, we held extended meetings with such potential buyers both in-person and, in one instance, through videoconference.

On July 14, 2010, our board of directors held a meeting at which a representative of J.P. Morgan provided an update of the process, including the status of due diligence by each interested buyer and information regarding meetings and teleconferences scheduled with the potential buyers. Our board of directors also discussed the

 

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possibility of selling certain businesses independently as a way to potentially maximize value to stockholders. The representative of J.P. Morgan noted several key items expressed by potential buyers in the diligence process, including potential business unit separation costs, transitional effects of key contracts and the impact of our process of reviewing strategic alternatives on current and future performance expectations. Representatives of Skadden Arps and members of our senior management also attended this meeting.

On July 23, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically. Representatives of J.P. Morgan attended the meeting and provided our board of directors with an update on the process. Representatives of Skadden Arps and members of our senior management also attended this meeting.

Prior to the July 27, 2010 process deadline, J.P. Morgan received oral indications from certain of the participating parties that they were withdrawing from the process, including, without limitation, Party A.

On July 27, 2010, J.P. Morgan received a preliminary indication of interest from a potential financial buyer for our collaboration solutions business suggesting a price range of $250 million to $350 million. J.P. Morgan received no other proposals from participating parties on this date in response to the second process letter that had been posted on July 9, 2010.

On July 28, 2010, J.P. Morgan received a letter from the Attachmate Group citing difficulties with its potential transaction financing and asking J.P. Morgan for the opportunity to speak to a broader set of partners and financing sources, including the Elliott Parties. The letter also requested the ability to discuss interest with strategic partners in our open platform solutions business.

On July 30, 2010, in light of the Attachmate Group’s request, representatives of J.P. Morgan contacted representatives of the Elliott Parties to solicit the Elliott Parties’ interest in acting as a potential financing source for a possible transaction with Novell. Thereafter, the Elliott Parties and we, through our respective advisors, resumed negotiations as to a non-disclosure agreement. On August 6, 2010, we entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Elliott Associates, L.P. pursuant to which it also agreed to standstill provisions for a period of sixty days, subject to earlier termination upon the occurrence of certain specified events.

During late July and early August 2010, certain members of our management and J.P. Morgan engaged in discussions with Party D regarding the possible sale to such party of the assets of our open platform solutions business.

On August 6, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically. Representatives of J.P. Morgan attended the meeting and provided our board of directors with an update on the process and our board of directors discussed our strategic alternatives. Representatives of Skadden Arps and members of our senior management also attended the meeting.

On August 10, 2010, the Elliot 13D Filers filed Amendment No. 2 to their Schedule 13D filed on February 12, 2010. In that amendment, the Elliot 13D Filers reported that they collectively beneficially owned 24,700,000 shares of our common stock, constituting 7.1% of all of the outstanding shares of our common stock, and had an economic interest in an additional 1.5% of our common stock pursuant to notional principal amount derivative agreements. That amendment also reported that Elliott Associates, L.P. had entered into a non-disclosure agreement with us on August 6, 2010.

On August 11, 2010, we posted a process letter to Party D, requesting that Party D submit a best and final offer by August 16, 2010 to acquire the assets of our open platform solutions business. Also on August 11, 2010, we posted a process letter to each of Party C and the Attachmate Group requesting that each submit a best and final offer by August 16, 2010 to acquire 100% of the outstanding shares of our capital stock. The letter requested that the response include a proposed purchase price for each of the following scenarios: (i) acquisition of all of our businesses and (ii) acquisition of all of Novell excluding our open platform solutions business.

 

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On August 12, 2010, our board of directors held a telephonic meeting at which J.P. Morgan provided our board of directors with an update on the process. Representatives of Skadden Arps and members of our senior management also attended the meeting.

On August 16, 2010, J.P. Morgan received a non-binding indication of interest from Party C to acquire the assets and certain liabilities of our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses, our businesses other than our open platform solutions business, for total consideration of $725 million to $760 million. The letter stated that Party C’s proposal was conditioned on Party C’s completion of due diligence and the negotiation of definitive transaction agreements. No financing commitments were provided with the letter.

Also on August 17, 2010, J.P. Morgan received a non-binding letter of intent from the Attachmate Group. The letter offered to acquire all of our businesses other than the open platform solutions business by means of a merger transaction for $4.50 per share in cash. The letter contained a requirement that we enter into exclusive discussions with the Attachmate Group (other than with respect to the open platform solutions business) for a period of 21 days. The letter also offered to acquire all of our businesses for $5.10 per share in cash. Our management believed that, notwithstanding the two proposals, the Attachmate Group’s preference, at that time, was to engage in a transaction for our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses. The Attachmate Group provided a mark-up of our form of merger agreement with its letter.

On August 17, 2010, J.P. Morgan received another proposal for our collaboration solutions business from a second potential financial buyer, with a preliminary view of value between $250 million to $300 million.

On August 20, 2010, Party B submitted two different proposals. In one proposal, Party B offered to acquire between seven and eight percent of our outstanding shares of common stock in a privately negotiated transaction for $6.00 per share. In the second proposal, Party B offered to arrange a transaction through which members of a consortium would purchase our open platform solutions business and Party B would acquire certain of our issued patents and patent applications, including patents related to enterprise-level computer systems management software, enterprise-level file management and collaboration software in addition to patents relevant to our identity and security management business (such issued patent and patent applications, the “Select Patents”), for an aggregate purchase price of between $525 million and $575 million in cash. Party B did not otherwise identify for us the basis for the proposed purchase of patents and patent applications related to our identity and security management business.

On or about August 20, 2010, representatives of J.P. Morgan contacted representatives of Party C to request that Party C submit a revised proposal letter, among other things, assuming the acquisition of 100% of our stock. In the early morning of August 24, 2010, J.P. Morgan received a revised indication of interest from Party C to acquire 100% of our capital stock for a purchase price equating to $4.65 per share for acquiring our businesses other than our open platform solutions business. The letter stated that Party C’s proposal was predicated on the prior sale of our open platform solutions business. The letter also indicated that Party C would submit a mark-up of our proposed form of merger agreement by the close of business on August 25, 2010.

Later that morning on August 24, 2010, our board of directors met to consider and discuss the proposals received and to discuss our strategic alternatives. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting. At this meeting, representatives of J.P. Morgan updated our board of directors on the process to solicit proposals for us and reviewed with our board of directors the parameters and status of the respective proposals received, noting that the Attachmate Group’s proposal of $5.10 per share was the only proposal to acquire the entire company that was received. In addition, J.P. Morgan detailed various strategic alternatives to the sale of Novell as a whole, including a sale of Novell in parts, a sale of certain assets with the remaining assets retained and financial repositioning. Our board of directors also discussed operating the open platform solutions business as a standalone public company. Following further discussion, analysis and consideration of the alternatives and advice presented by representatives of J.P. Morgan

 

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and Skadden Arps, our board of directors determined to solicit concurrent sales of the open platform solutions business to one party and the systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses, representing the remainder of Novell, to another party.

On August 25, 2010, J.P. Morgan distributed a form of exclusivity letter to each of Party B, the Attachmate Group and Party C, and we circulated to Party D a draft of an asset purchase agreement for the sale of our open platform solutions business.

On August 26, 2010, Party C submitted a mark-up of our form of merger agreement. On or about that same date, Party B submitted a revised proposal in which it offered to arrange a transaction through which a consortium would purchase our open platform solutions business and Party B would purchase the Select Patents for an aggregate purchase price of $550 million in cash.

On August 27, 2010, the Attachmate Group submitted a revised letter of intent. The letter included a revised purchase price of $4.80 per share in cash for acquiring our businesses other than our open platform solutions business. The Attachmate Group also included a revised mark-up of the draft merger agreement and the draft exclusivity agreement with its letter.

Also on August 27, 2010, Party C submitted a revised indication of interest, among other things, increasing its proposed purchase price to $4.84 per share for our businesses other than our open platform solutions business. Later that day, Party C submitted a further revised indication of interest increasing its proposed purchase price to $4.86 per share for our businesses other than our open platform solutions business.

On August 26, 2010, August 27, 2010 and August 28, 2010 representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan discussed the proposals with representatives of each of Party C and the Attachmate Group and representatives of their respective legal counsel in an effort to seek improvements in the price, terms and conditions of each proposal.

On August 29, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically to continue its consideration of the Party B, Party C and Attachmate Group proposals. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended this meeting. Our board of directors discussed how our business would be divided between the buyer of our open platform solutions business and the buyer of our remaining businesses, namely our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses and the complexity and risks of splitting assets and liabilities, establishing a post-closing relationship between the businesses to the extent required and various transition services and cross-licenses that would need to be developed and executed. The implications of selling our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses in the absence of a consummation of a sale of our open platform solutions business was also discussed. At this meeting, representatives of J.P. Morgan provided a comparison of the proposals for our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses submitted by the Attachmate Group and Party C in relation to, among other things, (i) the respective reverse break-up fees and specific performance terms as they related to the certainty of closing each of the proposed transactions and (ii) the financing prospects of each of the proposed transactions in the current financing market. Our board of directors also discussed the status of discussions with Party B regarding the sale of our open platform solutions business and the Select Patents.

On August 31, 2010, J.P. Morgan sent a letter to each of the Attachmate Group and Party C requesting that they confirm or revise their respective proposals on the assumption that they would not receive ownership of the Select Patents. The letter requested a response by September 1, 2010.

On September 1, 2010, Party D submitted a proposal to acquire our business other than that proposed to be acquired by the Attachmate Group and Party C, excluding assets and liabilities that may be identified but including all of our intellectual property, for an aggregate purchase price of $570 million in cash. The proposal stated that it was subject to completion of satisfactory due diligence, the negotiation and execution of definitive

 

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documentation as well as certain approvals. A member of Party D’s senior management orally advised a member of our senior management with respect to the best and final nature of the proposal.

Also on September 1, 2010, Party B submitted a further revised proposal, in which it offered to arrange a transaction with an aggregate purchase price of $550 million in cash through which a consortium would purchase our open platform solutions business and Party B would purchase the Select Patents. We circulated to Party B a revised draft of the asset purchase agreement that had been provided to Party D, which draft reflected certain additional provisions in response to Party B’s proposal.

Also on September 1, 2010, J.P. Morgan received an indication of interest from the Attachmate Group that had been revised based on the assumption that the Attachmate Group would not acquire the Select Patents. The letter reiterated the Attachmate Group’s proposed purchase price of $4.80 per share in cash for our businesses other than our open platform solutions business. The letter indicated that the Attachmate Group’s offer would, by its terms, expire unless we entered into exclusive discussions with them for a 21 day period. On September 2, 2010 and then again on September 3, 2010, the Attachmate Group submitted revised proposals, among other things, to require exclusivity for a 24 day period and to extend the expiration date of the proposal.

In addition, on September 1, 2010, a representative of J.P. Morgan received a telephone call from a representative of Party C indicating that Party C would not be able to meet the response deadline but that, in light of the exclusion of the Select Patents, it would revise its proposal to decrease its proposed purchase price. We did not receive a further proposal from Party C until the Party C October 28 Proposal.

On September 2, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically to discuss the proposals received from Party B and Party D for our open platform solutions business. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended this meeting. Representatives of J.P. Morgan described the elements of Party D’s proposal, including, without limitation, that it related to all of Novell’s intellectual property, and compared the proposal to that received from Party B, which related to only a portion of Novell’s intellectual property portfolio. The board of directors considered, among other things, potential regulatory approval risks, the potential incompatibilities between the Party D and the Attachmate Group proposals with respect to the intellectual property proposed to be purchased by the respective parties as well as the need to include, in a sale of our businesses, a portion of our patent portfolio associated with the businesses being sold. Our board of directors also discussed and authorized our management to enter into an exclusivity arrangement with the Attachmate Group with respect to a sale of our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses and to enter into an exclusivity arrangement with Party B with respect to a sale of our open platform solutions business and the Select Patents.

On September 3, 2010, we entered into a non-binding letter of intent with Party B with respect to its September 1, 2010 proposal. The letter of intent contained a grant of exclusivity with respect to its September 1, 2010 proposal until September 21, 2010. The exclusivity provision contained an option for Party B to extend the exclusivity period until September 28, 2010, which Party B exercised during this period.

On September 3, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically to discuss the status of discussions with Party B and the Attachmate Group. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management also attended this meeting. Our board of directors discussed the dynamics of a potential three party negotiation, the possibility of consummating a transaction with only one of the two buyer parties and the implications for our long-term prospects with either our open platform solutions business or our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses surviving. Our board of directors also discussed the terms of the exclusivity with the Attachmate Group and the implications of entering into an exclusivity period. Following that discussion, our board of directors authorized our management to enter into an exclusivity arrangement with the Attachmate Group with respect to a sale of our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses.

Following that meeting, on September 3, 2010, we entered into an agreement with the Attachmate Group with respect to its September 3, 2010 proposal granting exclusivity until September 27, 2010.

 

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On September 9, 2010, Skadden Arps distributed to Jones Day, the Attachmate Group’s outside legal counsel, a mark-up of the draft merger agreement in response to the mark-up we received from the Attachmate Group on August 27, 2010.

During the period from September 3, 2010 through October 14, 2010, we exchanged drafts and mark-ups of the asset purchase agreement for the purchase of our open platform solutions business and the Select Patents and other related agreements with the Attachmate Group and Party B, engaged in telephonic and in-person negotiations with the Attachmate Group and Party B regarding the asset purchase agreement and related agreements. During this period, we also exchanged drafts and mark-ups of the draft merger agreement with the Attachmate Group and Party B and engaged in telephonic negotiations with the Attachmate Group regarding the draft merger agreement with respect to the sale of Novell other than the open platform solutions business and the Select Patents. The Attachmate Group and Party B and their legal and financial advisors also continued their respective due diligence investigations.

On September 21, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically. Representatives of J.P. Morgan and Skadden Arps attended portions of the meeting. Members of our senior management also attended the meeting. At the meeting, our board of directors discussed certain relationships that Gary Greenfield, one of our directors, had disclosed previously to the other directors, including Mr. Greenfield’s prior position as Chief Executive Officer of a company wholly owned by a fund of Francisco Partners, one of the principal shareholders of Attachmate, and as a former operating partner of Francisco Partners as well as Mr. Greenfield’s continuing passive interest in certain of Francisco Partners’ investment funds. Mr. Greenfield reported that he did not have definitive information as to which fund or funds of Francisco Partners might be used to finance the proposed transaction with the Attachmate Group. Our board of directors determined at the meeting, with Mr. Greenfield abstaining from such determination, that Mr. Greenfield’s continued participation in the process would be beneficial and enhance the ability of our board of directors to consider and pursue our and our stockholders’ best interests. Our board of directors further ratified his prior participation as a member of our board of directors in deliberations and decisions relative to the process. Our board of directors also discussed the status of negotiations with the Attachmate Group and Party B, alternative transaction structures and the impact of the process on us and authorized Messrs. Crandall and Hovsepian to extend the exclusivity periods with the Attachmate Group and Party B by up to two additional weeks following the expiration of each such period.

On September 27, 2010, acting pursuant to the authority provided by our board of directors, members of our senior management entered into an extension of the Attachmate Group’s exclusivity period until October 8, 2010.

On September 28, 2010, acting pursuant to the authority provided by our board of directors, members of our senior management entered into an extension of Party B’s exclusivity period until October 8, 2010. On that same date, Novell conducted an in-person meeting at a conference center in Waltham, Massachusetts with representatives of Party B and the Attachmate Group to discuss outstanding issues between Party B and the Attachmate Group with respect to the proposed asset sale and merger and attempted to align the assets, liabilities and continuing rights and responsibilities of the parties with respect to the proposed transactions. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan also attended and participated in the meeting.

On September 30, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically primarily to conduct a preliminary business, financial and personnel review. The impact of the process on our business and operations and recent communications with each of the prospective buyers were also discussed. A representative of Skadden Arps and members of our senior management attended the meeting.

On October 8, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically and discussed the status of negotiations and discussions with the Attachmate Group and Party B. Representatives of J.P. Morgan and Skadden Arps and members of our senior management attended the meeting. Our board of directors also discussed the tax implications of the contemplated transactions, the status of each potential buyer’s considerations of resultant individual tax impact, the anticipated date of execution of definitive transaction documents and various

 

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milestones and impediments to completion, alternative transaction structures, the implications of the expiration of the sixty day standstill provision in the non-disclosure agreement with Elliott Associates, L. P. and the status of the exclusivity agreements with the Attachmate Group and Party B. On that same date we entered into an extension of the Attachmate Group’s exclusivity period until October 13, 2010.

On October 14, 2010, Party B orally indicated to us that it had decided against proceeding with its proposal to acquire our open platform solutions business and the Select Patents.

On October 15, 2010, our board of directors met to discuss the status of the process. Representatives of J.P. Morgan and Skadden Arps and members of our senior management attended the meeting. Our board of directors discussed the withdrawal of Party B from the process and possible alternative transaction structures in light of such withdrawal. Our board of directors also discussed the expiration of the exclusivity period with the Attachmate Group with respect to the sale of our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses, authorized our management to extend such exclusivity period for up to three weeks and discussed how a transaction with the Attachmate Group, in the absence of Party B, would be structured and the required analysis to determine the optimal structure. In addition, Mr. Hovsepian discussed a conversation he had on October 14, 2010, following the expiration of the exclusivity period with the Attachmate Group, with a representative of another potential strategic buyer to whom we refer as “Party E.” Party E expressed possible interest in acquiring certain of our intellectual property.

Also on October 15, 2010, following a request by the Attachmate Group for further exclusivity, we entered into a new exclusivity agreement with the Attachmate Group through October 25, 2010, pursuant to which we entered into exclusive discussions and negotiations with the Attachmate Group with respect to the Attachmate Group’s possible acquisition of all of Novell excluding Novell’s open platform solutions business and, with respect to issued patents and patent applications, including only those issued patents and patent applications identified in the exclusivity agreement.

On instruction from our board of directors, from October 15, 2010 through October 29, 2010, members of our management, with the assistance of Skadden Arps, J.P. Morgan and KPMG LLP, our tax advisor, analyzed a potential alternative structure for a sale of our systems and resource management, identity and security management and collaboration solutions businesses that would leave our open platform solutions business as a stand-alone public company (the “Alternative Structure”).

During the week of October 18, 2010, members of our senior management and representatives of Skadden Arps engaged in high-level discussions with representatives of the Attachmate Group and Jones Day regarding the Alternative Structure. On October 21, 2010, Skadden Arps circulated a draft securities purchase agreement to Jones Day that reflected the proposed terms of the Alternative Structure.

Also during the weeks of October 18, 2010 and October 25, 2010, members of our senior management solicited various potential buyers, including, without limitation, Microsoft, Party D and Party E, as to their interest in either Novell’s open platform solutions business or the Select Patents.

On October 21, 2010, we entered into a non-disclosure agreement with Party E.

Also on October 21, 2010, Microsoft submitted a non-binding letter of intent proposing to either enter into a license agreement for the Select Patents for $100 million or a license and acquisition agreement for the Select Patents for $300 million (the “Microsoft October 21 Proposal”).

On or about October 21, 2010, at the request of Mr. Crandall, Mr. Greenfield had a conversation with a representative from Francisco Partners requesting that the Attachmate Group reconsider a transaction for a sale of all of Novell, including Novell’s open platform solutions business.

On October 22, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting. The board of directors heard a report on

 

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the Microsoft October 21 Proposal. Also at the meeting, the board of directors discussed the Alternative Structure and its rationale as well its potential timing and complexities, including the post-transaction operation and valuation of a stand-alone open platform solutions business. Following a discussion on transaction alternatives, the board of directors instructed J.P. Morgan to prepare valuations for various transaction permutations, including the Alternative Structure, a concurrent sale of the Select Patents and a sale of the entire company with and without the Select Patents.

On October 24, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically as a follow-up to the October 22, 2010 meeting. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting. J.P. Morgan and members of our management presented preliminary valuations for various transaction permutations, including the Alternative Structure, a concurrent sale of the Select Patents and a sale of the entire company with and without the Select Patents, including the contingencies and assumptions associated with each.

On October 25, 2010, following a request by the Attachmate Group for an exclusivity extension, acting pursuant to authority granted by the board of directors, members of our senior management entered into an extension of the Attachmate Group’s period of exclusivity until November 1, 2010.

On October 28, 2010, the Attachmate Group submitted a revised letter of intent offering a price per share of $5.25 in cash for acquiring the entire capital stock of Novell.

Also on October 28, 2010, Party C submitted an unsolicited non-binding proposal to acquire the entire company, including all of our intellectual property. The proposal was for all of our outstanding shares of common stock at a price per share of $5.75 (the “Party C October 28 Proposal”). The Party C October 28 Proposal consisted of a proposed mark up of the form of merger agreement, a proposed limited guarantee with respect to Party C’s obligation to the pay a reverse termination fee and a request for a fourteen day exclusivity period. The proposal letter requested two weeks of additional due diligence and contemplated debt and equity financing. No debt financing commitments were provided with the letter.

In the early morning on October 29, 2010, we received a revised letter of intent from Microsoft pursuant to which Microsoft proposed to acquire, together with at least two other interested investors, certain identified issued patents and patent applications (such patents and patent applications, the “Listed Patents”) for $450 million (the “Microsoft October 29 Proposal”). The Listed Patents were based substantially on the patents and patent applications that had been included in the Select Patents.

Later in the morning of October 29, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting. The board of directors received an update as to progress of the Alternative Structure and the status of discussions with respect to a sale of the Listed Patents, including the receipt of the Microsoft October 29 Proposal. The board of directors discussed the feasibility of pursuing a sale of the Listed Patents in the context of a sale of the entire company, considering, among other things, Microsoft’s willingness to proceed with the Microsoft October 29 Proposal in that context and the preference that certain of Novell’s stockholders had expressed for a return of cash rather than a mix of cash and equity under the Alternative Structure. The board of directors, with the assistance of representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan, reviewed the terms of the Party C October 28 Proposal relative to a transaction with the Attachmate Group, including, without limitation, the execution risks, anticipated timing and degree of certainty of each. A representative of Skadden Arps reviewed the fiduciary duties of the directors in analyzing potential transactions with Party C or the Attachmate Group. The board of directors discussed the possibility of seeking, prior to the expiration of exclusivity with the Attachmate Group, the Attachmate Group’s willingness to pursue, and suggested purchase price for, a possible transaction for all of Novell exclusive of the Listed Patents.

In the afternoon of October 29, 2010, we received a non-binding proposal from Party D to acquire certain assets related to businesses other than our systems and resource management, identity and security management

 

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and collaboration solutions businesses but including certain other specified assets, including, without limitation, the Listed Patents, for a purchase price of $400 million in cash. The letter stated that the proposal was subject to the negotiation and execution of acceptable definitive agreements and satisfactory completion of due diligence.

Later that day on October 29, 2010, Mr. Crandall and two members of our senior management proposed to representatives of the Attachmate Group terms for a sale of Novell that assumed the prior purchase by Microsoft of the Listed Patents pursuant to the Microsoft October 29 Proposal. On November 1, 2010, the Attachmate Group submitted a revised letter of intent offering to purchase all of the outstanding shares of our common stock at a price per share of $6.10 in cash. The letter stated that the offer was based, among other things, on the sale of the Listed Patents for not less than $450 million and after tax proceeds from such sale of not less than $315 million.

In the afternoon of November 1, 2010, we received a non-binding expression of interest letter from Party E in exploring the purchase of the Listed Patents for a proposed purchase price of $100 million or, alternatively, a non-exclusive license to the Listed Patents. The letter stated that a transaction would be subject to satisfactory completion of due diligence and execution of mutually acceptable definitive documentation.

Later in the afternoon of November 1, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically to review the status of the negotiations with the Attachmate Group as well as the proposals received from each of Microsoft, Party C, Party D, Party E and the Attachmate Group. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting. Our board of directors discussed and received the advice of J.P. Morgan regarding the potential value for stockholders that could be realized by pursuing the respective proposals. With the advice of both J.P. Morgan and Skadden Arps, our board of directors also discussed the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing the respective proposals, including, without limitation, the risks associated with discontinuing negotiations with the Attachmate Group. The board of directors determined to enter into exclusive discussions with Microsoft with respect to Microsoft’s October 29 Proposal and to continue exclusive discussions with the Attachmate Group with respect to its November 1, 2010 proposal.

On November 2, 2010, Skadden Arps circulated a draft of a merger agreement to Jones Day that reflected the most recent discussions between the Attachmate Group and us, as well as provisions with respect to a concurrent transaction as described in the Microsoft October 29 Proposal.

During the period from November 2, 2010 through November 21, 2010, we and representatives of Skadden Arps exchanged drafts and mark-ups of the draft merger agreement and engaged in telephonic negotiations with the Attachmate Group and its legal advisors regarding the draft merger agreement. During this period, we continued to extend the exclusivity rights of the Attachmate Group in one, two and three day increments through November 19, 2010, after which we continued negotiations on a non-exclusive basis. During this time, the Attachmate Group, its prospective lenders and their respective legal advisors also continued their due diligence investigations.

On November 3, 2010, a representative of Skadden Arps and certain of our internal legal counsel met in-person in Seattle, Washington with representatives of Microsoft and Gonzalez Saggio & Harlan LLP (“Gonzalez Saggio”), intellectual property legal counsel for Microsoft, to discuss and negotiate the terms of the patent sale described in Microsoft’s October 29, 2010 proposal to a consortium of interested investors being organized by Microsoft (the “Consortium”). Representatives of the Attachmate Group and Jones Day also attended and participated in the meetings. Discussions and negotiations with Microsoft, as a representative of the Consortium, and Microsoft’s representatives, including Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, transaction legal counsel for Microsoft (“Sullivan & Cromwell”), and Gonzalez Saggio, continued in person through November 8, 2010 and telephonically through November 21, 2010. During this time, certain of our internal legal counsel and management also participated in telephonic and in-person due diligence sessions concerning the Listed Patents with legal counsel to the Consortium members, and responded to questions and requests for additional information from each of these parties regarding the Listed Patents.

 

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We granted Microsoft as a representative of the Consortium an initial period of exclusivity with respect to the negotiations and discussions regarding the Listed Patents from November 3, 2010 through November 7, 2010 and continued to extend the exclusivity period through November 19, 2010, after which we continued discussions and negotiations on a non-exclusive basis.

In the morning of November 5, 2010, our board of directors met telephonically to review the status of the negotiations with the Attachmate Group and the Consortium. Members of senior management and a representative of Skadden Arps and representatives of J.P. Morgan attended the meeting. A representative of Skadden Arps described key issues under consideration with respect to the proposed merger and the proposed purchase of the Listed Patents. A representative of J.P. Morgan advised the directors that the Attachmate Group had not yet provided detailed information as to the structure and conditions of the Attachmate Group’s proposed financing for the merger.

Later in the day on November 5, 2010, Jones Day circulated initial drafts that had been prepared by Kirkland & Ellis LLP, outside counsel to Attachmate and certain of its equity holders in respect of debt and equity financing matters relating to the proposed merger, of a form of equity commitment letter pursuant to which certain investors would provide equity financing for the merger and a form of limited guarantee pursuant to which certain of the equity investors would agree to guarantee the payment of the reverse termination fee and indemnities related to Novell’s financing cooperation and repatriation obligations under the Merger Agreement. On November 6, 2010, the Attachmate Group circulated a draft of a debt commitment letter.

On November 8, 2010, the Attachmate Group circulated a revised draft of the debt commitment letter. In the evening of November 8, 2010 and the afternoon of November 9, 2010, members of our senior management and representatives of J.P. Morgan and Skadden Arps held telephone calls with members of the Attachmate Group, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Jones Day regarding the terms of the debt commitment letter and requested further information regarding the Attachmate Group’s sources and uses of funding with respect to the proposed merger.

In the evening on November 9, 2010, our board of directors held a telephonic meeting at which it considered a further extension of the Attachmate Group’s exclusivity right, current transaction prospects with respect to the Attachmate Group’s financing of any transaction and the state of negotiations with Microsoft, as a representative of the Consortium. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting.

During the period from November 10, 2010 through November 20, 2010, we, together with representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan, exchanged drafts and mark-ups and continued to negotiate telephonically with the Attachmate Group and its legal advisors the terms of the debt commitment letter, form of equity commitment letter and form of limited guarantee concurrently with the negotiation of the draft merger agreement and, on November 18, 2010, Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided a copy of a draft voting agreement between Attachmate and the Elliott Parties. We did not discuss with the Attachmate Group the nature or extent of the Elliott Parties’ involvement in the Attachmate Group’s proposed financing, including as to the Elliott Parties’ use of shares of Novell common stock as an element of the financing.

On November 12, 2010, our board of directors held a meeting to discuss progress in the negotiations with Microsoft, as a representative of the Consortium, and the Attachmate Group. Representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and members of our senior management attended the meeting. Prior to this meeting, the members of the board of directors were provided with summaries of the current terms of the drafts of the patent purchase agreement and the merger agreement. Representatives of Skadden Arps reviewed the terms with the directors. In addition, a representative of J.P. Morgan delivered an update with respect to the status of the Attachmate Group’s debt financing. The board of directors discussed the complexities of the respective negotiations and of the relationship between the proposed transactions. Following the discussion, the board of directors authorized Novell’s management to extend the periods of exclusivity with the Attachmate Group and Microsoft, as a representative of the Consortium.

 

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On November 12, 2010, November 15, 2010, November 17, 2010 and November 20, 2010, members of our senior management, together with representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan and Mr. Crandall participated in extensive telephonic negotiations with members of the Attachmate Group and representatives of Jones Day regarding issues raised in the draft merger agreement mark-ups and related financing documents. Among the principal issues discussed were the termination and reverse termination fee amounts, the circumstances under which either party could terminate the draft merger agreement and receive a fee and the term of the Attachmate Group’s debt financing commitments. Also during this period, Mr. Crandall, on behalf of our board of directors, continued to negotiate certain terms of the draft merger agreement, including the amount of the termination fee and reverse termination fee, with representatives of the Attachmate Group.

On the morning of November 21, 2010, our board of directors held a special meeting, which members of our senior management and representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan, attended. Prior to this meeting, the members of the board of directors were provided with materials related to the proposed merger and the proposed patent sale. At the meeting:

 

   

representatives of Skadden Arps reviewed with the board of directors its fiduciary duties in considering the proposed transactions;

 

   

the board of directors reviewed the developments in the negotiations with the Attachmate Group and Microsoft, as a representative of the Consortium, including the terms of the draft merger agreement and the draft patent purchase agreement and the changes that had been effected to each document since the last board of directors meeting, including the issues raised with respect to the negotiation of the terms and conditions under which the reverse termination fee would be payable;

 

   

the board of directors considered the positive and negative factors and risks in connection with the proposed transactions, as discussed in the section entitled, “The Merger – Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of Our Board of Directors” below; and

 

   

a representative of J.P. Morgan made a financial presentation and rendered to the board of directors its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed in writing, that as of November 21, 2010, and based upon and subject to the various factors, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in the written opinion, the $6.10 per share to be received by holders of shares of Novell common stock pursuant to the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to such holders as discussed in “The Merger – Opinion of Our Financial Advisor.” Such opinion is attached hereto as Annex C.

Following a lengthy and detailed discussion, the board of directors instructed us and our advisors to continue negotiations with respect to terms and conditions under which the reverse termination fee would be payable. The board of directors determined to adjourn the meeting until later in the afternoon on November 21, 2010 to allow for the negotiations on this issue to progress. Following the adjournment of the meeting, we and our advisors contacted the Attachmate Group and Jones Day to negotiate a potential compromise.

Later in the afternoon of November 21, 2010, the board of directors reconvened the special meeting, at which members of our senior management and representatives of Skadden Arps and J.P. Morgan attended. The board of directors reviewed discussions with the Attachmate Group and Jones Day regarding the terms and conditions under which the reverse termination fee would be payable. Following a detailed discussion of these matters and following careful consideration of the proposed merger agreement and the patent purchase agreement and the transactions contemplated by those agreements, with Mr. Greenfield abstaining due to Mr. Greenfield’s relationship with Francisco Partners previously disclosed to the board of directors, the board of directors (1) approved and declared advisable the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, (2) declared that the terms of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, are in the best interests of the stockholders of Novell and (3) approved the patent purchase agreement, the patent sale and the other transactions contemplated by the patent purchase agreement. With Mr. Greenfield abstaining, the board of directors resolved to recommend that Novell’s stockholders approve and adopt the Merger Agreement

 

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and the transactions contemplated thereby, including the merger. The board of directors authorized the appropriate officers of Novell to finalize and execute the merger agreement, the patent purchase agreement and related documentation.

During the course of the late evening of November 21, 2010, we and representatives of Skadden Arps, Jones Day, and the Attachmate Group finalized and executed the Merger Agreement and the limited guarantees, and we and representatives of Skadden Arps, Gonzalez Saggio, Sullivan & Cromwell, and Microsoft, as a representative of the Consortium, finalized and executed the Patent Purchase Agreement.

On the morning of November 22, 2010, we issued a press release announcing the execution of the Merger Agreement and the execution of the Patent Purchase Agreement.

Reasons for the Merger and Recommendation of Our Board of Directors

Our board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” adoption of the Merger Agreement and “FOR” any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies. At a meeting of our board of directors on November 21, 2010, after consultation with financial and legal advisors, our board of directors determined that the Merger Agreement and the merger are advisable and in the best interests of Novell and its stockholders and approved the Merger Agreement.

In the course of reaching its decision, our board of directors consulted with our senior management, financial advisor and legal counsel, reviewed a significant amount of information and considered a number of factors, including, among others:

 

   

historical market prices, volatility and trading information with respect to the Novell common stock, including that the per share merger consideration of $6.10 per share in cash:

 

   

represents a premium of approximately 28% to the closing share price of Novell common stock on March 2, 2010, the closing share price prior to the Elliott Parties’ conditional, non-binding proposal to acquire Novell and a premium of approximately 38% and 37% over the 90-day and 180-day, respectively, volume-weighted average price of Novell common stock on March 2, 2010; and

 

   

represents a premium of approximately 8% over the closing price of Novell on November 18, 2010;

 

   

the financial presentation and opinion, dated November 21, 2010, of J.P. Morgan to our board of directors as to the fairness, from a financial point of view and as of the date of its opinion, of the $6.10 per share merger consideration to be received in the merger by holders of Novell common stock, as more fully described below under the caption “The Merger – Opinion of Our Financial Advisor” beginning on page 47;

 

   

the form of consideration to be paid in the transaction is cash, which provides certainty of value and immediate liquidity to Novell’s stockholders;

 

   

our current and historical financial condition, results of operations, competitive position, strategic options and prospects, as well as the financial plan and prospects if we were to remain an independent public company;

 

   

the prospective risks to us as a stand-alone public entity, including the risks and uncertainties with respect to (i) achieving success in growing our business in light of the current and foreseeable market conditions, including the risks and uncertainties in the United States and global economy generally and the enterprise software industry specifically and (ii) the “risk factors” set forth in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010;

 

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the substantial number of potential buyers, both strategic and financial, solicited in connection with a possible transaction;

 

   

various strategic alternatives to a sale of Novell, including the possibility of a return of capital to stockholders through a stock repurchase or cash dividend, strategic partnerships and alliances, joint ventures, a recapitalization and a sale of a portion of Novell as well as proceeding in the ordinary course with management’s plans for the business and perceived risks of those alternatives, the range of potential benefits to Novell’s stockholders of these alternatives and the timing and execution risk of accomplishing the goals of such alternatives, as well as the board of directors’ assessment that no available alternatives to a sale of Novell were reasonably likely to create greater value for Novell’s stockholders, taking into account risks of execution as well as business, competitive, industry and market risk;

 

   

that the Merger Agreement has customary terms and was the product of extensive arms-length negotiations;

 

   

that the Merger Agreement has customary no solicitation and termination provisions which should not preclude third parties from making “superior proposals”:

 

   

if our board of directors determines in good faith after consultation with outside counsel and its financial advisor that failing to do so would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of the board of director’s fiduciary duties, it may, after giving Attachmate a “match right”, terminate the Merger Agreement and enter into an agreement with respect to the superior proposal;

 

   

if the board of directors determines in good faith after consultation with outside counsel and its financial advisor that failing to do so would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of the board of director’s fiduciary duties, it may, after giving Attachmate notice and subject to a negotiation period, withdraw or modify its recommendation in a manner adverse to Attachmate (whether or not in response to a takeover proposal); and

 

   

if we terminate the merger agreement in order to accept a superior proposal, we are required to pay a termination fee of $60 million;

 

   

the availability of statutory appraisal rights under Delaware law in the merger;

 

   

the receipt of commitment letters from Attachmate’s sources of debt and equity financing for the merger, and the terms of the commitment letters;

 

   

the receipt of limited guarantees from Attachmate’s investors and the Elliott Parties guaranteeing the payment of the reverse termination fee and the reimbursement and indemnification obligations under Section 6.14 (“Financing”) and Section 6.15 (“Cash”) of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

that Attachmate is required to use its reasonable best efforts to seek to fully enforce its rights under the financing documents;

 

   

the limited number and nature of the conditions to funding set forth in the debt and equity financing commitment letters and the likelihood that such conditions will be timely met and the financing provided in a timely manner, and the obligation of Attachmate to use reasonable best efforts to obtain the debt financing, and if it fails to effect the closing of the merger under certain circumstances, for Attachmate to pay us $120 million;

 

   

Novell’s ability, under certain circumstances pursuant to the Merger Agreement, to enforce specifically the terms of Section 6.14 (“Financing”) of the Merger Agreement; and

 

   

Novell’s ability, under certain circumstances pursuant to the Merger Agreement and the equity commitment letters, to enforce (as an express third-party beneficiary) or to seek specific performance of Attachmate’s obligations to cause the equity investors to make equity contributions to Attachmate pursuant to the respective equity commitment letters and to cause the merger to be consummated.

 

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Our board of directors also considered a number of uncertainties and risks in its deliberations concerning the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the following:

 

   

our current stockholders would not, except as provided through the Attachmate Group, have the opportunity to participate in any possible growth and profits of Novell following the completion of the transactions;

 

   

the risk that the proposed transactions might not be completed and the effect of the resulting public announcement of termination of the Merger Agreement on:

 

   

the market price of Novell common stock, which could be affected by many factors, including (i) the reason for which the Merger Agreement was terminated and whether such termination results from factors adversely affecting us, (ii) the possibility that the marketplace would consider us to be an unattractive acquisition candidate and (iii) the possible sale of shares of Novell common stock by short-term investors following the announcement of termination of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

our operating results, particularly in light of the costs incurred in connection with the transaction, including the potential requirement to make a termination payment;

 

   

the ability to attract and retain key personnel; and

 

   

relationships with customers, partners and others that do business with us;

 

   

the possible disruption to our business that may result from the announcement of the transaction and the resulting distraction of the attention of our management and employees and the impact of the transaction on our customers, partners and others that do business with us;

 

   

the terms of the Merger Agreement, including (i) the operational restrictions imposed on us between signing and closing (which may delay or prevent us from undertaking business opportunities that may arise pending the completion of the transaction), and (ii) the termination fee, that could become payable by us under certain circumstances, including if we terminate the Merger Agreement to accept a superior proposal, in an amount equal to $60 million;

 

   

the extended period during which the board of directors had been evaluating strategic alternatives and the impact of the board of directors’ process on our revenue and results in recent periods;

 

   

our board of directors’ belief that prolonging the process of exploring various alternatives could have (i) resulted in the loss of Attachmate’s offer, (ii) negative impacts on the morale of employees, and (iii) distracted employees and senior management from implementing our operating plan;

 

   

the restriction on soliciting competing proposals;

 

   

the possibility that the $60 million termination fee payable by Novell upon the termination of the Merger Agreement under certain circumstances could discourage other potential acquirers from making a competing bid to acquire Novell;

 

   

the possibility that Attachmate will be unable to obtain the debt financing from the lenders under the debt commitment letter, including as a result of the failure of conditions in the debt commitment letter;

 

   

the fact that, other than our limited rights to specific performance in Section 6.14 (“Financing”) of the Merger Agreement and to enforce the funding of the equity commitments and the consummation of the merger, our remedies in connection with Attachmate’s breach of the merger agreement, even a breach that is deliberate or willful, are limited to collecting the $120 million under certain circumstances;

 

   

the fact that the Merger Agreement is conditioned on the occurrence of the closing under the Patent Purchase Agreement, the risks of the conditions to closing under the Patent Purchase Agreement not being satisfied and that in the event CPTN fails to close in breach of its obligations under the Patent Purchase Agreement, Novell’s remedy would be to seek specific performance against a newly-formed entity with potentially limited assets;

 

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that our directors and executive officers have interests in the merger, including certain severance and retention arrangements as described under the section entitled “The Merger – Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger” beginning on page 63; and

 

   

that an all-cash transaction would be taxable to our stockholders that are United States holders for United States federal income tax purposes.

Opinion of Our Financial Advisor

Novell retained J.P. Morgan as its financial advisor for the purpose of advising Novell in connection with a potential transaction such as the merger and to evaluate whether the consideration in the proposed merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of common stock of Novell. At the meeting of the Novell board of directors on November 21, 2010, J.P. Morgan rendered its written opinion to the Novell board of directors that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the various factors, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in such written opinion, the $6.10 per share cash consideration to be paid to the holders of Novell common stock in the merger was fair, from a financial point of view, to the holders of Novell common stock.

The full text of the written opinion of J.P. Morgan dated November 21, 2010, which sets forth, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, matters considered, qualifications and limitations on the review undertaken in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex C to this proxy statement and is incorporated herein by reference. The summary of J.P. Morgan’s opinion set forth in this document is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion. Stockholders should read this opinion carefully and in its entirety. J.P. Morgan’s opinion is directed to the Novell board of directors, addresses only the fairness from a financial point of view, to the holders of Novell common stock of the $6.10 per share cash consideration to be paid to such holders in the proposed merger, and does not address any other aspect of the merger or any other transactions, including those covered by the Patent Purchase Agreement (including the fairness of any such transactions). The issuance of the J.P. Morgan opinion was approved by a fairness opinion committee of J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan provided its advisory services and opinion for the information and assistance of the Novell board of directors in connection with its consideration of the proposed merger.

The opinion of J.P. Morgan does not constitute a recommendation as to how any stockholder should vote with respect to the proposed merger or any other matter.

In arriving at its opinion, J.P. Morgan, among other things:

 

   

reviewed a draft dated November 20, 2010 of the merger agreement;

 

   

reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information concerning Novell and the industries in which it operates;

 

   

compared the proposed financial terms of the merger with the publicly available financial terms of certain transactions involving companies J.P. Morgan deemed relevant and the consideration paid for such companies;

 

   

compared the financial and operating performance of Novell with publicly available information concerning certain other companies J.P. Morgan deemed relevant and reviewed the current and historical market prices of Novell common stock;

 

   

reviewed certain internal financial analyses and forecasts prepared by the management of Novell relating to its business; and

 

   

performed such other financial studies and analyses and considered such other information as J.P. Morgan deemed appropriate for the purposes of its opinion.

 

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In addition, J.P. Morgan held discussions with certain members of the management of Novell and Attachmate with respect to certain aspects of the merger, and the past and current business operations of Novell, the financial condition and future prospects and operations of Novell, and certain other matters J.P. Morgan believed necessary or appropriate to its inquiry.

In giving its opinion, J.P. Morgan relied upon and assumed the accuracy and completeness of all information that was publicly available or was furnished to or discussed with J.P. Morgan by Novell and Attachmate or otherwise reviewed by or for J.P. Morgan, and J.P. Morgan did not independently verify (nor did it assume responsibility or liability for independently verifying) any such information or its accuracy or completeness. Novell asked J.P. Morgan to assume, without inquiry, that the terms of the Patent Purchase Agreement provided full value to Novell in exchange for Novell’s right, title and interest in the 882 issued patents and patent applications transferred thereby. Accordingly, J.P. Morgan did not evaluate, nor did it express any view concerning, any of the terms, financial or otherwise, of the Patent Purchase Agreement. In addition, J.P. Morgan did not conduct and was not provided with any valuation or appraisal of any assets or liabilities, including Novell’s right, title and interest in the 882 issued patents and patent applications, nor did J.P. Morgan evaluate the solvency of Novell, Attachmate or CPTN under any state or federal laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. In relying on financial analyses and forecasts provided to J.P. Morgan or derived therefrom, J.P. Morgan assumed that they were reasonably prepared based on assumptions reflecting the best then available estimates and judgments by management as to the expected future results of operations and financial condition of Novell to which such analyses or forecasts related. J.P. Morgan expressed no view as to such analyses or forecasts or the assumptions on which they were based. J.P. Morgan also assumed that the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement would be consummated as described in the merger agreement and that the definitive merger agreement would not differ in any material respects from the draft thereof provided to J.P. Morgan. J.P. Morgan also assumed that the representations and warranties made by Novell, Attachmate and Merger Sub in the merger agreement and the related agreements were and will be true and correct in all respects material to J.P. Morgan’s analysis. J.P. Morgan is not a legal, regulatory or tax expert and relied on the assessments made by advisors to Novell with respect to such issues. J.P. Morgan further assumed that all material governmental, regulatory or other consents and approvals necessary for the consummation of the merger would be obtained without any adverse effect on Novell or on the contemplated benefits of the merger.

The J.P. Morgan opinion is necessarily based on economic, market and other conditions as in effect on, and the information made available to J.P. Morgan as of, the date of the J.P. Morgan opinion. The opinion notes that it should be understood that subsequent developments may affect the J.P. Morgan opinion and that J.P. Morgan does not have any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm the J.P. Morgan opinion. The J.P. Morgan opinion is limited to the fairness, from a financial point of view, of the $6.10 per share cash consideration to be paid to the holders of Novell common stock in the proposed merger, and J.P. Morgan expressed no opinion as to the fairness of the merger to, or any consideration paid in connection therewith by, any person or the holders of any other class of securities, creditors or other constituencies of Novell, as to the fairness of the transactions covered by the Patent Purchase Agreement to any party or as to the underlying decision by Novell to engage in the merger or the transactions covered by the Patent Purchase Agreement. Furthermore, J.P. Morgan expressed no opinion with respect to the amount or nature of any compensation to any officers, directors, or employees of any party to the merger, or any class of such persons relative to the $6.10 per share cash consideration to be paid to the holders of Novell common stock in the merger or with respect to the fairness of any such compensation.

In accordance with customary investment banking practice, J.P. Morgan employed generally accepted valuation methods in reaching its opinion. The following is a summary of the material financial analyses undertaken by J.P. Morgan in connection with rendering the J.P. Morgan opinion delivered to the Novell board of directors on November 21, 2010 and contained in the presentation delivered to the Novell board of directors on November 21, 2010 in connection with the rendering of such opinion. Some of the summaries of the financial analyses include information presented in tabular format. The tables are not intended to stand alone, and in order to more fully understand the financial analyses used by J.P. Morgan, the tables must be read together with the full

 

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text of each summary. Considering the data set forth below without considering the full narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of J.P. Morgan’s financial analyses.

In performing its analysis of Novell, J.P. Morgan relied upon, among other things, certain internal forecasts through October 31, 2012 (the “Management Plan”) and an eight year extrapolation thereof through October 31, 2020, in each case prepared by the management of Novell, provided to J.P. Morgan by management and reviewed by the Novell board of directors for use in connection with its evaluation of the merger. Novell does not publicly disclose internal management forecasts of the type provided to the Novell board of directors and J.P. Morgan in connection with the Novell board of director’s and J.P. Morgan’s analysis of the merger, and such forecasts were prepared in connection with the proposed merger and were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure. These forecasts were based on numerous variables and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and may be beyond the control of management, including, without limitation, factors related to general economic and competitive conditions and prevailing interest rates. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from those set forth in such forecasts. For additional information regarding these forecasts, see “The Merger – Financial Projections.”

Publicly Trading Peer Multiples Analysis

Using publicly available information, J.P. Morgan compared selected financial data of Novell with similar data for 11 publicly traded companies engaged in businesses which J.P. Morgan judged to be analogous to Novell’s business. In its analysis, J.P. Morgan identified two sets of publicly traded peers:

“Infrastructure software companies”, which consist of the following companies:

 

   

BMC Software, Inc.;

 

   

CA, Inc.;

 

   

Compuware Corporation;

 

   

Micro Focus International plc;

 

   

Progress Software Corporation;

 

   

Quest Software, Inc.;

 

   

Software AG; and

 

   

Symantec Corporation.

“Other relevant technology companies”, which consist of the following companies:

 

   

Convergys Corporation;

 

   

CSG Systems International Inc.; and

 

   

InfoSpace, Inc.

These companies were selected, among other reasons, because they have a similar business focus and/or certain operating characteristics, including size, revenue growth or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) margins, similar to those of Novell.

Estimated financial data for the selected companies were based on the selected companies’ filings with the SEC and/or publicly available Wall Street research analysts’ estimates. Estimated financial data for Novell was based on the Management Plan.

 

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In conducting its analysis, J.P. Morgan reviewed publicly available estimates of financial performance, including revenue growth, EBITDA margin and profitability, through calendar year 2011 (“CY11”). J.P. Morgan reviewed enterprise value (calculated as fully diluted market value based on closing stock prices on November 18, 2010, plus total debt, less cash and cash equivalents and, solely with respect to Novell, the after-tax proceeds from the sale of Novell’s right, title and interest in 882 issued patents and patent applications to CPTN for $450 million) (“EV”), to calculate the selected companies’ trading multiples based on EV to estimated EBITDA for CY11. The analysis indicated that such EV/CY11 EBITDA multiple for the Infrastructure software companies set ranged from a low of 5.9x to a high of 9.5x, with a median of 7.9x, and that such EV/CY11 EBITDA multiple for the Other relevant technology companies set ranged from a low of 3.3x to a high of 5.1x, with a median of 4.8x. J.P. Morgan applied a multiple reference range of 4.0x to 6.0x (derived from such analysis) for EV/CY11 EBITDA to Novell’s estimated EBITDA for CY11 based on the Management Plan. The implied valuation range of Novell’s common stock that J.P. Morgan derived from such analysis, as compared to the $6.10 per share cash consideration set forth in the Merger Agreement, is set forth below:

 

EV/CY11 EBITDA Multiple Analysis

   Implied Valuation
Range for Novell
Common Stock(1)
 

CY11 Estimated EBITDA

   $ 5.45 to $6.20   

 

(1) All values presented on a per share basis and assumes diluted shares based on treasury stock method, rounded to nearest $0.05.

J.P. Morgan also reviewed the selected companies’ trading multiples based on cash adjusted market value to estimated cash adjusted net income, as defined below, referred to herein as the cash adjusted market value/CY11 cash adjusted net income multiple. Cash adjusted market value is defined as fully diluted market value less cash and cash equivalents. CY11 cash adjusted net income is defined as CY11 adjusted net income (adjusted to exclude the after tax impact of stock based compensation expense, amortization of intangibles and non-recurring items) less assumed interest income which was calculated by applying estimated tax rates for each of the selected companies and a 1.0% interest income rate to the existing balance of cash and cash equivalents. CY11 adjusted net income for each of the selected companies was obtained from publicly available Wall Street research analysts’ estimates for adjusted net income or adjusted earnings per share, which were then utilized to derive CY11 cash adjusted net income estimates for each of the selected companies. The analysis indicated that such cash adjusted market value/CY11 cash adjusted net income multiple for the Infrastructure software companies set ranged from a low of 7.7x to a high of 17.6x, with a median of 12.3x, and that such adjusted market value/CY11 cash adjusted net income multiple for the Other relevant technology companies set ranged from a low of 6.8x to a high of 9.8x, with a median of 7.5x. J.P. Morgan applied a multiple reference range of 6.5x to 10.0x (derived from such analysis) for cash adjusted market value/CY11 cash adjusted net income to Novell’s estimated cash adjusted net income for CY11 based on the Management Plan and added total cash and cash equivalent balance as of October 31, 2010 and the after-tax proceeds from the sale of Novell’s right, title and interest in 882 issued patents and patent applications to CPTN for $450 million to derive an implied Novell equity value.

The implied valuation range of Novell’s common stock that J.P. Morgan derived from such analysis, as compared to the $6.10 per share cash consideration set forth in the Merger Agreement, is set forth below:

 

Cash adjusted market value/CY11

cash adjusted net income analysis

   Implied Valuation
Range for Novell
Common Stock(1)
 

CY11 Estimated cash adjusted net income

   $ 5.50 to $6.30   

 

(1) All values presented on a per share basis and assumes diluted shares based on treasury stock method, rounded to nearest $0.05.

 

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Selected Transaction Analysis

Using publicly available information, J.P. Morgan examined selected transactions involving businesses which J.P. Morgan judged to be analogous to Novell’s business. Specifically, J.P. Morgan reviewed the following transactions:

 

Announcement date

  

Acquirer

  

Target

November 5, 2009

   JDA Software Group, Inc.    i2 Technologies, Inc.

October 29, 2009

   Vector Capital    Corel Corp.

October 5, 2009

   Emerson Electric Co.    Avocent Corporation

July 14, 2009

   Software AG    IDS Scheer AG

September 29, 2009

   Symphony Technology Group    MSC.Software Corporation

May 6, 2009

   Micro Focus International PLC    Borland Software Corporation

January 12, 2009

   Vector Capital    Aladdin Knowledge Systems Ltd.

December 6, 2006

   Skywire Software, LLC    Docucorp International, Inc.

August 28, 2006

   Corel Corporation    InterVideo, Inc.

To the extent information was publicly available for each of the selected transactions, J.P. Morgan calculated EV divided by the target’s one-year forward EBITDA as estimated by Wall Street research analysts (“EV/EBITDA”). The analysis indicated that such EV/EBITDA for the selected transactions ranged from a low of 3.8x to a high of 8.8x, with a median of 7.3x. J.P. Morgan applied a multiple reference range of 3.75x to 7.50x (derived from such analysis) for EV/EBITDA to Novell’s estimated EBITDA for CY11 based on the Management Plan. The implied valuation range of Novell’s common stock that J.P. Morgan derived from such analysis, as compared to the $6.10 per share cash consideration set forth in the Merger Agreement, is set forth below:

 

EV/EBITDA Multiple Analysis

   Implied Valuation
Range for Novell
Common Stock(1)
 

CY11 Estimated EBITDA

   $ 5.35 to $6.70   

 

(1) All values presented on a per share basis and assumes diluted shares based on treasury stock method, rounded to nearest $0.05.

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis

J.P. Morgan conducted a discounted cash flow analysis for the purpose of determining an implied fully diluted equity value per share for Novell’s common stock. A discounted cash flow analysis is a method of evaluating an asset using estimates of the future unlevered free cash flows generated by the asset and taking into consideration the time value of money with respect to those future cash flows by calculating their “present value.” “Present value” refers to the current value of one or more future cash payments from the asset, which are referred to as that asset’s cash flows, and is obtained by discounting those cash flows back to the present using a discount rate that takes into account macro-economic assumptions and estimates of risk, the opportunity cost of capital, capitalized returns and other appropriate factors. “Terminal value” refers to the capitalized value of all cash flows from an asset for periods beyond the final forecast period.

J.P. Morgan calculated the unlevered free cash flows that Novell is expected to generate during the fiscal years 2011 through 2020 based upon the Management Plan and the eight year extrapolation thereof through October 31, 2020. J.P. Morgan also calculated a range of terminal values of Novell at the end of the 10-year period ending 2020 by applying a perpetual growth rate ranging from -1.0% to 1.0% to the unlevered free cash flow of Novell during the final year of the projection period ending 2020. J.P. Morgan also included Novell’s tax benefits as provided by Novell management, including the company’s domestic net operating losses and tax credits over a 16 year period ending 2026. The unlevered free cash flows, the range of terminal values and the tax benefits were then discounted to present values using a range of discount rates from 9.5% to 11.5%, which were chosen by J.P. Morgan based upon an analysis of the weighted average cost of capital of Novell.

 

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The present value of the unlevered free cash flows, the range of terminal values and the tax benefits were then adjusted for Novell’s estimated cash and cash equivalents as of October 31, 2010 and the after-tax proceeds from the sale of Novell’s right, title and interest in 882 issued patents and patent applications to CPTN for $450 million, based on the Management Plan and the eight year extrapolation thereof through October 31, 2020.

The implied valuation range of Novell’s common stock that J.P. Morgan derived from such analysis, as compared to the $6.10 per share cash consideration set forth in the Merger Agreement, is set forth below:

 

Discount rate and terminal growth rate case

   Implied Valuation
Range for Novell
Common Stock(1)
 

Perpetual growth rate -1.0% to 1.0%, discount rate 9.5% to 11.5%

   $ 5.65 to $6.15   

 

(1) All values presented on a per share basis, assumes diluted shares based on treasury stock method, rounded to nearest $0.05.

Historical Stock Price Information

J.P. Morgan also analyzed a 52-week trading range of Novell’s common stock price prior to the Elliott Parties’ unsolicited, publicly disclosed offer to acquire Novell for $5.75 per share in cash (“Pre-Elliott offer”). Specifically, the reference range was $3.02 to $4.96 for the Pre-Elliott offer 52-week trading range, as compared to the $6.10 per share cash consideration set forth in the Merger Agreement. The premiums to the $6.10 per share cash consideration set forth in the Merger Agreement that J.P. Morgan analyzed are set forth below:

 

   

Premium to closing market price on January 4, 2010(1) of $4.20: 45.2%

 

   

Premium to closing market price on March 2, 2010(2) of $4.75: 28.4%

 

   

Premium to 90-day volume weighted average trading price of $4.43(2): 37.7%

 

   

Premium to 180-day volume weighted average trading price of $4.46(2): 36.7%

 

   

Premium to 52-week low closing market price of $3.02(2): 102.0%

 

   

Premium to 52-week high closing market price of $4.96(2): 23.0%

 

   

Premium to closing market price on November 18, 2010 of $5.67: 7.6%

 

(1) January 4, 2010; the last trading day before the Elliott 13D Filers commenced actively acquiring Novell’s common stock.
(2) March 2, 2010; the last Pre-Elliot offer trading day.

J.P. Morgan noted that historical stock trading analyses and premium information are not valuation methodologies but were presented merely for informational purposes.

The foregoing summary of the material financial analyses does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses or data presented by J.P. Morgan. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. J.P. Morgan believes that the foregoing summary and its analyses must be considered as a whole and that selecting portions of the foregoing summary and these analyses, without considering all of its analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying the analyses and its opinion. As a result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis or combination of analyses described above were merely utilized to create points of reference for analytical purposes and should not be taken to be the view of J.P. Morgan with respect to the actual value of Novell. In arriving at its opinion, J.P. Morgan reviewed various financial and operational metrics for Novell, including forecasts with respect to Novell which were made available to J.P. Morgan by or on behalf of Novell. In arriving at its opinion, J.P. Morgan did not attribute any particular weight to any analyses or factors considered by it and did not form an opinion as to whether any individual analysis or factor (positive or negative), considered in isolation, supported or failed to support its opinion. Rather, J.P. Morgan considered the totality of

 

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the factors and analyses performed in determining its opinion. Analyses based upon forecasts of future results are inherently uncertain, as they are subject to numerous factors or events beyond the control of the parties and their advisors. Accordingly, forecasts and analyses used or made by J.P. Morgan are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than suggested by those analyses. Moreover, J.P. Morgan’s analyses are not and do not purport to be appraisals or otherwise reflective of the prices at which businesses actually could be bought or sold. None of the selected companies reviewed as described in the above summary is identical to Novell. However, the companies selected were chosen because they are publicly traded companies with operations and businesses that, for purposes of J.P. Morgan’s analysis, may be considered similar to those of Novell. The analyses necessarily involve complex considerations and judgments concerning differences in financial and operational characteristics of the companies involved and other factors that could affect the companies compared to Novell. The J.P. Morgan opinion was one of the many factors taken into consideration by the Novell board of directors in making its determination to approve the merger. The analyses as summarized above should not be viewed as determinative of the opinion of the Novell board of directors with respect to Novell’s value, or of whether the Novell board of directors would have been willing to agree to different or other forms of consideration. The $6.10 per share cash consideration to be paid to the holders of Novell common stock in the merger was determined in negotiations between Novell and Attachmate, and the decision to approve and recommend the merger was made by the Novell board of directors.

As a part of its investment banking business, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates are continually engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities in connection with mergers and acquisitions, investments for passive and control purposes, negotiated underwritings, competitive biddings, secondary distributions of listed and unlisted securities, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other purposes. J.P. Morgan was selected on the basis of such experience and its familiarity with Novell to advise Novell in connection with the merger and to deliver a fairness opinion to the Novell board of directors addressing the fairness from a financial point of view of the $6.10 per share cash consideration in the proposed merger to the holders of common stock of Novell as of the date of such opinion.

J.P. Morgan acted as financial advisor to Novell with respect to the proposed merger and will receive a fee from Novell for its services (including for the rendering of the J.P. Morgan opinion), estimated to be approximately $13.3 million, $11.3 million of which will become payable only if the proposed merger is consummated. In addition, Novell has agreed to reimburse J.P. Morgan for certain expenses incurred in connection with its services, including the reasonable fees of counsel, and will indemnify J.P. Morgan for certain liabilities arising out of its engagement. During the two years preceding the date that J.P. Morgan issued its opinion, J.P. Morgan and its affiliates had commercial or investment banking relationships with Novell, certain unrelated portfolio companies of Attachmate’s shareholders and certain affiliates of CPTN, for which J.P. Morgan and such affiliates received customary compensation. J.P. Morgan’s work for Novell and certain affiliates of CPTN during such period included acting as joint bookrunner in connection with offerings of debt securities of Microsoft, an affiliate of CPTN, in May 2009 and September 2010, respectively, and as well as joint bookrunner in connection with other recent offerings of debt securities of other affiliates of CPTN. In addition, J.P. Morgan’s commercial banking affiliate is a lender under outstanding credit facilities of Novell and Microsoft, as well as other affiliates of CPTN and provides treasury and cash management services for Novell and such affiliates of CPTN, for which it receives customary compensation or other financial benefits. In the ordinary course of J.P. Morgan’s businesses, it and its affiliates may actively trade the debt and equity securities of Novell and affiliates of CPTN for J.P. Morgan’s or its affiliates’ own accounts or for the accounts of customers and, accordingly, J.P. Morgan and/or its affiliates may at any time hold long or short positions in such securities.

Financial Projections

Other than limited quarterly guidance provided during some of our earnings releases, we do not as a matter of course publicly disclose long-term forecasts or internal projections as to future performance, revenues, earnings or financial condition. However, during our thorough review of the various alternatives to enhance

 

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stockholder value, as discussed in “The Merger – Background to the Merger” beginning on page 30, certain prospective financial information, was prepared by our management and reviewed with and discussed among members of our board of directors and J.P. Morgan. Our management provided certain internal forecasts through October 31, 2012, which are referred to as the Management Plan, and an eight year extrapolation thereof through October 31, 2020, to J.P. Morgan and our board of directors, as such information is discussed more fully in “The Merger – Opinion of Our Financial Advisor” beginning on page 47. Management also made available to Attachmate this prospective financial information. Management’s key assumptions supporting the Management Plan are discussed below.

We have included the material portions of the prospective financial information below in order to give our stockholders access to this information as well. The inclusion of the prospective financial information below should not be regarded as an indication that we, our management team, our board of directors or Attachmate, or any of their respective representatives considered, or now considers, the prospective financial information below to be predictive of actual future results.

Management’s internal financial forecasts, upon which the prospective financial information set forth below is based, are subjective in many respects. The prospective financial information set forth below reflects numerous assumptions with respect to industry performance, competition, general business, economic, geo-political, currency, market and financial conditions, the costs of raw materials and components, and other matters, all of which are difficult to predict and beyond our control.

The prospective financial information set forth below also reflects numerous estimates and assumptions related to our business that are inherently subject to significant economic, political and competitive uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. As a result, although the prospective financial information set forth below was prepared in good faith based on assumptions believed to be reasonable at the time the information was prepared, there can be no assurance that the assumptions made in preparing such information will prove accurate or that the projected results reflected therein will be realized.

The prospective financial information set forth below was not prepared with a view toward public disclosure. Accordingly, the prospective financial information set forth below was not prepared with a view toward complying with the published guidelines of the SEC regarding projections or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information or U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Some of the projections present financial metrics that were not prepared in accordance with GAAP. Neither our independent auditor nor any other independent accountants have compiled, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the prospective financial information contained herein, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or its achievability, and they assume no responsibility for, and disclaim any association with, the prospective financial information.

The prospective financial information set forth below does not take into account any circumstances or events occurring since the date such information was prepared or which may occur in the future, and, in particular, does not take into account any revised prospects of our business, changes in general business, geo-political or economic conditions, competition or any other transaction or event that has occurred since the date on which such information was prepared or which may occur in the future.

Prospective financial information are forward-looking statements and are based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently subject to factors such as industry performance, competition, general business, economic, regulatory, geo-political, market and financial conditions, as well as changes to the business, financial condition or results of operation of Novell, including the factors described under “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information” on page 1, and other risk factors as disclosed in our filings with the SEC that

 

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could cause actual results to differ materially from those shown below. Since the prospective financial information set forth below covers multiple years, such information by its nature is subject to greater uncertainty with each successive year. In addition, the projections do not take into account any of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, including the merger, which might also cause actual results to differ materially.

We have made publicly available our actual results for our 2010 fiscal year, and you should review our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2010 to obtain this information. See “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 104. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the specific portions of the prospective financial information set forth below. No one has made or makes any representation to any stockholder regarding the information included in the prospective financial information set forth below.

For the foregoing reasons, as well as the bases and assumptions on which the prospective financial information set forth below was compiled, the inclusion of the prospective financial information in this proxy statement should not be regarded as an indication that such information will be predictive of actual future results or events, and it should not be relied on as such.

EXCEPT AS REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS, WE HAVE NOT UPDATED NOR DO WE INTEND TO UPDATE OR OTHERWISE REVISE THE PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION SET FORTH BELOW, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, TO REFLECT CIRCUMSTANCES EXISTING AFTER THE DATE SUCH INFORMATION WAS PREPARED OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF FUTURE EVENTS, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CHANGES IN GENERAL ECONOMIC, GEO-POLITICAL OR INDUSTRY CONDITIONS, EVEN IN THE EVENT THAT ANY OR ALL OF THE ASSUMPTIONS UNDERLYING THE PROSPECTIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION IS SHOWN TO BE IN ERROR.

 

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Our management employed the following key assumptions in preparing the Management Plan projections summarized in the table below, which were provided to J.P. Morgan, our board of directors and Attachmate:

 

   

overall revenue is assumed to grow in the low single digits with the Open Platform Solutions business segment growing at market growth rates while the other business segments grow in line with recent historical precedent;

 

   

overall costs and expenses are assumed to increase in fiscal year 2011 relative to 2010 to reflect increased investment in primarily sales and marketing that are required to execute on our Intelligent Workload Management strategy and to compensate for the uncertainty caused by our thorough review of the various alternatives to enhance stockholder value during 2010; and

 

   

these assumptions result in modeled revenue of approximately $818 million in fiscal year 2011 and $828 million in 2012, and operating income of approximately $115 million in 2011 and $120 million in 2012.

 

Fiscal Year Ended October 31(1)

  2008
(Actual)
    2009
(Actual)
    Management Plan  
      2010
(Estimated)
    2011
(Estimated)
    2012
(Estimated)
 

Revenue

  $ 957      $ 862      $ 812      $ 818      $ 828   

% growth

    2.6     (9.9 )%      (5.8 )%      0.8     1.1

Gross profit

  $ 734      $ 688      $ 646      $ 650      $ 658   

% margin

    76.7     79.8     79.6     79.4     79.5

EBITA (pre-SBC)

  $ 97      $ 139      $ 132      $ 115      $ 120   

% margin

    10.2     16.1     16.3     14.0     14.5

Stock based compensation

    34        26        27        31        31   

EBITA (post-SBC)

  $ 63      $ 113      $ 105      $ 84      $ 89   

% margin

    6.6     13.1     12.9     10.2     10.8

EBITDA (pre-SBC)

  $ 127      $ 162      $ 154      $ 134      $ 142   

% margin

    13.3     18.8     18.9     16.4     17.2

Depreciation

  $ 30      $ 23      $ 22      $ 19      $ 22   

Capex

    38        22        24        21        24   

 

(1) The dollar amounts in this table are in millions. The abbreviations in this table have the following meanings: “EBITA” means Earnings Before Interest Taxes and Amortization of Acquisition-related Intangibles; “SBC” means Stock-based Compensation; “Capex” means Capital Expenditure; and “EBITDA” means Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization. This table also contains certain non-GAAP measures including Gross profit, EBITA, Stock-based Compensation, EBITDA, Depreciation and Capex.

 

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Financing of the Merger

Attachmate and Merger Sub have estimated that the total amount of funds necessary to pay the aggregate merger consideration will be approximately $2.2 billion, including the financing of the merger and payment of related transaction charges, fees and expenses. Attachmate has said it intends to fund the transaction with equity and debt financing, together with cash and cash equivalents available to Attachmate (including cash held by us and our subsidiaries and cash available to us in connection with the closing of the patent sale). Consummation of the merger is not conditioned on the funding of Attachmate’s financing or on Attachmate obtaining financing. We may seek and obtain (i) injunctions to prevent breaches, and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions, of Attachmate’s financing obligations provided that certain conditions are met and (ii) injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to cause Attachmate to seek enforcement of the equity commitment letters and to cause the merger to be consummated provided that certain conditions are met. For additional information regarding remedies under the Merger Agreement, see “The Merger Agreement – Remedies” beginning on page 92.

Equity Financing. Attachmate has entered into equity commitment letters with the Elliott Parties, Francisco Partners and Francisco Partners Fund A, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund, L.P. and Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund-A, L.P., and Thoma Bravo Fund IX, L.P., dated November 21, 2010, pursuant to which they have severally and not jointly committed to provide equity financing up to a specified dollar amount (in the case of the Elliott Parties, a specified dollar amount to be satisfied by shares of our common stock). The Elliott Parties will satisfy their equity commitment by contributing Novell common stock to Wizard Parent, the ultimate parent company of Attachmate, in exchange for equity securities of Wizard Parent, as provided for by the Investment Agreement described in and attached as an exhibit to the Schedule 13F/A filed on November 26, 2010 with the SEC by the Elliott 13D Filers. In total, the equity commitments are for an aggregate amount up to $425 million. The equity investors may assign any portion of their commitments to their affiliates or other investors.

The funding of the financing contemplated by the equity commitment letters is subject to

 

   

the prior fulfillment of the conditions precedent to Attachmate’s and Merger Sub’s obligations to consummate the merger under the Merger Agreement;

 

   

the prior or concurrent fulfillment or waiver of the conditions precedent to the obligations of each of the other equity investors;

 

   

the debt financing being made immediately available to Attachmate in an amount of not less than $1.05 billion upon the funding of the equity financing;

 

   

the contemporaneous closing of the merger;

 

   

the absence of any amendment or waiver of any provision of the Merger Agreement (other than as consented to in writing by the equity investors); and

 

   

the absence of any law or order or other action by any governmental entity enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the equity financing.

The obligation of each equity investor to fund its equity commitment will expire upon:

 

   

the termination of the Merger Agreement in accordance with its terms;

 

   

the date the equity investors, their affiliates or their assigns provide Attachmate their respective contribution;

 

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any amendment to or modification of the Merger Agreement not consented to in writing by the equity investors;

 

   

the consummation of the merger after giving effect to the contributions;

 

   

the delivery by such equity investor to Attachmate of a written notice terminating its equity commitment at any time 60 days after April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments);

 

   

the enactment or issuance of any law or order or other action by any governmental entity enjoining or otherwise prohibiting the equity financing;

 

   

any claim or proceeding brought by Novell with respect to any limited guarantee or guarantor; or

 

   

any other claim or proceeding against any equity investor or affiliate thereof in connection with the equity commitment letters, the limited guarantees, the Merger Agreement or any transaction contemplated thereby or otherwise relating thereto, other than certain claims.

Debt Financing. In connection with Attachmate’s entry into the Merger Agreement, Attachmate, NetIQ and Merger Sub received a debt commitment letter, dated November 21, 2010, from Credit Suisse AG, Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Royal Bank of Canada, RBC Capital Markets, Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Citadel Securities Trading LLC and Citadel Securities LLC (collectively, the “Commitment Parties”). The debt commitment letter provides in the aggregate up to $1.09 billion in debt financing to Attachmate, NetIQ and Merger Sub. Of this amount, $865 million will consist of first lien senior secured credit facilities made up of a $825 million term loan facility and a $40 million revolving credit facility, and $225 million will consist of a second lien senior secured loan facility.

The facilities contemplated by the debt financing are subject to certain closing conditions, including without limitation:

 

   

that, since July 31, 2010, there has not occurred any “Company Material Adverse Effect” (as defined in the Merger Agreement);

 

   

the Commitment Parties’ reasonable satisfaction that, from and after November 21, 2010 and prior to the initial funding of the debt facilities or, if later, the date that is the earlier of the syndication of the debt facilities and 30 days after the initial funding of the debt facilities, there shall have been no other issues of debt securities or commercial bank or other credit facilities of Wizard Holding, Attachmate, NetIQ, Merger Sub, Novell or their respective subsidiaries being announced, offered, placed or arranged (other than indebtedness permitted by the Merger Agreement and utilization of the existing revolving credit facilities of Attachmate, NetIQ and Merger Sub), except to the extent such announcement, offering, placement or arrangement would not materially impede syndication of the debt facilities;

 

   

the negotiation, execution and delivery of definitive debt agreements;

 

   

Attachmate’s, NetIQ’s and Merger Sub’s compliance (i) in all material respects with the syndication terms of the debt commitment letter, except to the extent that noncompliance would not materially impede syndication of the debt facilities and (ii) with certain terms of the letters setting forth the fees to be paid to the Commitment Parties and the payment of all fees and expenses due under such letters on the date of the initial funding of the debt facilities; and

 

   

the reasonable satisfaction or waiver by the joint lead arrangers for the facilities of certain other conditions precedent set forth in the debt commitment letter.

The debt commitment terminates automatically if the initial funding of the facilities does not occur on or before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 20, 2011 (or such earlier date on which the Merger Agreement is terminated).

 

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Attachmate has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange and obtain financing, consisting of equity and debt financing, on terms and conditions set forth in the equity and debt commitment letters described above. In addition, Attachmate has agreed not to permit any amendment or waiver of any provisions of the commitment letters that would reduce the aggregate amount of the financing or impose new or additional conditions or amend or expand any conditions to the receipt of financing, in each case in a manner that would reasonably be expected to delay or prevent the closing date of the merger, make the funding of the financing less likely to occur or adversely impact the ability of Attachmate, Merger Sub or, with respect to the equity financing, Novell, to enforce its rights against the other parties to the commitment letters or the definitive financing agreements, the ability of Attachmate or Merger Sub to consummate the merger or the likelihood of the consummation of the merger. Attachmate and Merger Sub may amend the debt commitment letter to add lenders, lead arrangers or similar entities or otherwise amend or replace the debt commitment letter so long as such action would not reasonably be expected to delay or prevent the closing of the merger, the terms are not materially less beneficial to Attachmate or Merger Sub with respect to conditionality than those in the initial debt commitment letter and any replacement debt commitments are on terms and conditions not materially less favorable, taken as a whole to Attachmate, Merger Sub and us than the terms and conditions in the applicable existing debt financing agreements.

Attachmate has further agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain in effect such commitment letters and any related definitive agreements, timely satisfy all conditions in the financing agreements applicable to it and Merger Sub in order to obtain the financing, consummate the equity financing at or prior to the closing of the merger, negotiate and enter into definitive agreements with respect to the debt financing and provide copies of such agreements to us, consummate the debt financing at or prior to the closing of the merger and fully enforce any counterparties’ obligations and its own rights under any financing agreements. If any portion of the debt financing becomes unavailable on the terms and conditions contemplated by the applicable financing agreements, Attachmate will promptly notify us and will use its reasonable best efforts to arrange and obtain alternative financing from alternative sources in an amount sufficient to consummate the merger with terms and conditions not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to Attachmate, Merger Sub and us than the terms and conditions in the applicable existing debt financing agreements.

If the closing of the merger does not occur on or prior to March 31, 2011, Attachmate is required to use its reasonable best efforts to extend the term of the debt commitment letter upon terms and conditions substantially similar to those currently reflected in the debt commitment letter to a date that is not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after April 20, 2011, which is the date on which either party may terminate the Merger Agreement if the merger has not been consummated, provided certain conditions are met. In the event that Attachmate successfully extends the term of the debt commitment letter and certain conditions have been met prior to April 20, 2011, the date on which either party may terminate the Merger Agreement will be automatically extended until the expiration of the extension; provided that Attachmate and its affiliates, including the equity investors under the equity commitment letters, will not be required to pay any out-of-pocket fees or expenses to or on behalf of such lenders or to contribute additional equity with respect to the merger.

The Patent Sale

The merger is conditioned upon the closing of the sale of all of our right, title and interest in 882 issued patents and patent applications to CPTN for $450 million in cash. CPTN is a Delaware limited liability company and consortium of technology companies organized by Microsoft, including, in addition to Microsoft, Apple, Inc., EMC Corporation and Oracle America, Inc. The patents and patent applications to be sold pursuant to the Patent Purchase Agreement relate to enterprise-level computer systems management software, enterprise-level file management and collaboration software in addition to patents relevant to our identity and security management business. The patent sale does not require a vote of our stockholders, and our stockholders will not consider or vote on the patent sale at the special meeting.

The following summary describes certain material provisions of the Patent Purchase Agreement and the patent sale. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the

 

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Patent Purchase Agreement, which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex B and is incorporated herein by reference. The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Patent Purchase Agreement were made for the purposes of the Patent Purchase Agreement and the benefit of the parties to the Patent Purchase Agreement and may have been used for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts. Moreover, because these representations and warranties were made as of certain dates indicated in the Patent Purchase Agreement, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Patent Purchase Agreement. The representations and warranties and other provisions of the Patent Purchase Agreement should not be read alone, and you should read the information provided elsewhere in this proxy statement.

The Patent Purchase Agreement provides that the closing of the patent sale will occur on the same date as the closing of the merger and immediately prior to the closing of the merger (unless waived by CPTN) or at such other time or date as the parties may agree so long as such date is at least two business days after the conditions to the closing of the patent sale have been satisfied or waived and we have provided CPTN with at least two business days advance notice of the expected closing of the merger. Upon the termination of the Merger Agreement for any reason other than our receipt of an “acquisition proposal” for our entire company that we deem to be a “superior proposal,” CPTN may elect (at any time within three days following notice from us) to continue the Patent Purchase Agreement, in which event, the closing of the patent sale will occur two business days following the satisfaction (or waiver) of all of the conditions to the closing. In the event that CPTN elects to continue the Patent Purchase Agreement upon the termination of the Merger Agreement due to our acceptance of an “acquisition proposal” (other than an acquisition proposal that contemplates we will retain all of the 882 issued patents and patent applications) that we deem to be a “superior proposal,” the closing of the patent sale will occur on the same day as the closing of the transaction contemplated by such a proposal (unless otherwise waived by CPTN) so long as such date is at least two business days after the conditions to closing of the patent sale have been satisfied or waived and we have provided CPTN with at least two business days advance notice of the expected closing of the merger pursuant to such proposal.

Our and CPTN’s obligations to consummate the patent sale are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following conditions:

 

   

the absence of any law, order or other action enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the patent sale;

 

   

the absence of any threatened or pending action by any governmental entity challenging or seeking to prevent, alter or materially delay the patent sale, seeking to restrain, prohibit or interfere with the operation of CPTN or the patents or seeking to require CPTN or any of its members or affiliates to divest any assets (including any of the patents) or businesses or to agree to restrictions or limitations on its assets (including any of the patents) or businesses;

 

   

with respect to CPTN’s obligations only, the absence of any threatened or pending action by any person (other than a governmental entity or any party to the Merger Agreement or any of their affiliates) that CPTN reasonably believes is reasonably likely to prevail in preventing, enjoining or materially altering or delaying the closing of the patent sale beyond a reasonable period of time under the circumstances and that, if successful, would reasonably be expected to adversely affect the benefits of the patent sale to CPTN in any material respect;

 

   

our and CPTN’s respective performance or compliance in all material respects with all agreements or covenants required to be performed by each of us at or prior to the closing of the patent sale;

 

   

the satisfaction or waiver of each of the conditions to the consummation of the merger or an alternate merger transaction involving us (other than the closing of the patent sale), and the parties to the Merger Agreement or the merger agreement for an alternate merger transaction, as the case may be, shall be ready, willing and able to consummate the Merger or alternate merger, as the case may be, immediately after the closing of the patent sale;

 

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the expiration or termination of the waiting period applicable to the consummation of the patent sale under the HSR Act and the receipt of all consents under other applicable antitrust laws, including the approval by the FCO under the ARC;

 

   

the obtaining of all required approvals of any government entity; and

 

   

our and CPTN’s respective representations and warranties being true and correct.

The Patent Purchase Agreement contains representations and warranties of the parties, including with respect to our title to the patents, existing licenses and rights with respect to the patents, restrictions on rights to the patents, the validity and enforceability of the patents and the equity commitments of the members of CPTN to fund CPTN in an aggregate amount equal to or exceeding $450 million. The Patent Purchase Agreement also obligates us to take certain actions between the date of the agreement and the closing of the patent sale, including not entering into any contract or arrangement that would make our representations and warranties under the Patent Purchase Agreement untrue or incorrect as of the closing of the patent sale, to continue prosecuting the patents and paying all fees related to the patents, delivering copies of documents concerning the patents to CPTN and directing the attorneys and patent agents responsible for the prosecution and maintenance of the patents to cooperate in good faith with the attorneys and patent agents specified by CPTN. In addition, we and CPTN are required to cooperate with each other for up to two years after the closing of the patent sale to take any further actions reasonably necessary to give effect to the patent sale and to protect CPTN’s rights in the patents.

We and CPTN may agree to terminate the Patent Purchase Agreement. In addition, the Patent Purchase Agreement will, by its terms, automatically terminate upon the termination of the Merger Agreement, except that:

 

   

if the Merger Agreement is terminated because we receive an “acquisition proposal” that contemplates an acquisition of us (other than an acquisition proposal that contemplates we will retain all of the 882 issued patents and patent applications) and we deem such a proposal to be a “superior proposal,” CPTN may elect to continue the Patent Purchase Agreement in which case the Patent Purchase Agreement will remain in full force and effect, except that references to the Merger Agreement will automatically be deemed to be to the acquisition agreement between us and the party from which we accepted the “superior proposal;” and

 

   

if the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason (other than our receipt of an “acquisition proposal” for our entire company that we deem to be a “superior proposal”), CPTN may elect to continue the Patent Purchase Agreement in which case the Patent Purchase Agreement will remain in full force and effect, except that references to the Merger Agreement will have no effect.

In addition, we, on the one hand, and CPTN, on the other hand, each have separate rights to terminate the Patent Purchase Agreement without the agreement of the other party if:

 

   

the closing of the patent sale has not occurred or it will not be possible for the closing of the patent sale to occur on or prior to April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments or by the terms of an alternate merger agreement, if applicable), provided that this termination right will not be available to a party if its breach of the Patent Purchase Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure to consummate the patent sale; or

 

   

the closing of the merger does not occur immediately after the closing of the patent sale (unless CPTN has waived such timing), provided that this termination right will not be available to a party if its actions have been the cause of or resulted in the failure to consummate the merger; and in conjunction with such termination, we must immediately return to CPTN the $450 million in cash that was paid in connection with the closing of the patent sale and the patent sale will be null and void.

In the event that CPTN has elected to continue the Patent Purchase Agreement following a termination of the Merger Agreement as described above, we and CPTN will enter into a royalty-free, fully paid-up patent cross

 

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license for no additional consideration, effective as of the closing, with respect to all patents and patent applications owned or controlled by us and CPTN on mutually acceptable terms that are no less favorable in the aggregate to either party than the terms of any other patent cross license offered by CPTN to any other person (other than any member of CPTN or an affiliate of any such member).

We and Microsoft are parties to a Business Collaboration Agreement, a Technical Collaboration Agreement and a Patent Cooperation Agreement that collectively were designed to build, market and support a series of new solutions to enhance the interoperability of Novell’s products with Microsoft’s products.

Limited Guarantees

Francisco Partners and Francisco Partners Fund A, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund, L.P. and Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund-A, L.P., Thoma Cressey Fund VII, L.P., Thoma Cressey Friends Fund VII, L.P. and Thoma Bravo Fund IX, L.P., and the Elliott Parties have entered into limited guarantees in favor of Novell dated November 21, 2010. Each limited guarantee guarantees, severally and not jointly, and subject to the terms and conditions of the limited guarantees and up to the specified percentage of the maximum amount described therein, the payment of a portion of any termination fee that may become payable by Attachmate under certain specified circumstances, any interest on such amount and reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with any litigation commenced by Novell regarding such termination fee. In addition, the limited guarantees guarantee Attachmate’s obligations to reimburse and indemnify us for our cooperation in connection with Attachmate’s arranging and obtaining of financing and in connection with any repatriation of the cash on hand held by Novell’s foreign subsidiaries. For further information regarding the termination fee that may become payable by Attachmate and the circumstances under which it becomes payable and Attachmate’s financing of the merger, see “The Merger Agreement – Fees and Expenses,” “The Merger Agreement – Financing” and “The Merger – Financing of the Merger” beginning on pages 89, 77 and 57, respectively.

Attachmate Voting Agreement

According to a Schedule 13D/A filed on November 26, 2010 with the SEC by the Elliott 13D Filers, on November 21, 2010, the Elliott Parties entered into a Voting Agreement with Attachmate and Merger Sub. According to that Voting Agreement, the Elliott Parties (who, according to that same Schedule 13D/A, with Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc., collectively beneficially own 24,700,000 shares of our common stock) agreed, among other things, to vote shares of Novell common stock held by them in favor of the merger and against any proposal made in opposition to or competition with the merger. According to that Voting Agreement, the Elliott Parties also may not discuss or enter into any arrangement, agreement or offer with any third party regarding an “acquisition proposal” or the financing thereof until the Merger Agreement is terminated or, in certain circumstances described in the Voting Agreement, for 45 days after such termination. In that same Schedule 13D/A, the Elliott Parties also reported that on November 21, 2010, they entered into an Equity Commitment Letter with Attachmate, an Interim Sponsors Agreement with Francisco Partners, Francisco Partners A, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund-A, L.P., Thoma Cressey Fund VII, L.P. and Thoma Bravo Fund IX, L.P., an Investment Agreement with Wizard Parent, and a Side Letter with Francisco Partners and had delivered a Limited Guarantee to us. Copies of all of these documents were attached as exhibits to that Schedule 13D/A.

Litigation Related to the Merger

In November and December 2010, individuals and/or entities claiming to be our stockholders filed putative class action lawsuits challenging our merger with Attachmate. As of December 21, 2010, fourteen actions had been filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery, one action had been filed in the Superior Court of Massachusetts, and three actions had been filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts. All of the actions are brought against the members of our board of directors, and all but one of the actions also name us as a defendant. In addition, certain of the actions also name as defendants: Attachmate, Merger Sub, CPTN,

 

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Microsoft, Elliott Associates, L.P., our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Golden Gate Private Equity, Francisco Partners and Thoma Cressey Bravo.

The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that our directors failed to fulfill their fiduciary duties with regard to our merger with Attachmate by failing to maximize our value to our public stockholders and that the entities named in the complaints aided and abetted those alleged breaches. Five of the actions also allege, among other things, that our directors failed to fulfill their fiduciary duties with regard to the patent sale to CPTN. The plaintiffs seek orders that, among other things, certify the cases as class actions, enjoin our merger with Attachmate, award plaintiffs and the putative class damages in the event that our merger with Attachmate is consummated, and award plaintiffs costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. On December 20, 2010, the Delaware Court of Chancery entered an order that, among other things, consolidated the cases filed in that court and appointed co-lead plaintiffs. We believe that there are substantial legal and factual defenses to the claims and intend to pursue them vigorously.

Interests of Our Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger

When considering the recommendation of our board of directors, you should be aware that the members of our board of directors and our executive officers have interests in the merger, as are described below, other than their interests as Novell stockholders generally. These interests may be different from, or in conflict with, your interests as a Novell stockholder. The members of our board of directors were aware of the material facts as to these additional interests, and considered them, when they approved the Merger Agreement.

Executive Officer Severance Agreements

Each of our executive officers (consisting of Ronald W. Hovsepian, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Dana C. Russell, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, John K. Dragoon, our Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Joseph H. Wagner, our Senior Vice President and General Manager, Global Alliances, Russell C. Poole, our Senior Vice President, Human Resources, Scott N. Semel, our Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, James P. Ebzery, our Senior Vice President and General Manager, Security, Management and Operating Platforms, Colleen A. O’Keefe, our Senior Vice President and General Manager, Collaboration Solutions and Global Services and Javier F. Colado, our Senior Vice President, Worldwide Sales), is eligible for severance benefits under severance agreements with us.

Under their severance agreements, the executive officers are entitled to receive severance benefits upon a termination under specified circumstances, including an involuntary termination associated with a change in control. Under the severance agreements, a change in control would occur upon certain events, including the consummation of a merger under certain circumstances. The completion of the merger, upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, is considered a change in control under the severance agreements.

Under the terms of the severance agreements, “involuntary termination associated with a change in control” means termination of the executive officer’s employment related to a change in control by us (for any reason other than cause, the executive officer’s death or disability), or on account of a constructive termination associated with a change in control. Generally, in this context “cause” means a determination that: (i) the executive officer has been convicted of a criminal violation involving fraud, embezzlement or theft in connection with his or her duties or in the course of his or her employment with us or any subsidiary of ours; or (ii) the executive officer has committed intentional wrongful disclosure of secret processes or confidential information of us or any subsidiary of ours and any such act has been demonstrably and materially harmful to us. Generally, “constructive termination associated with a change in control” means the termination by the executive officer of his or her employment with us as a result of one of the following events: (a) the executive officer’s failure to be retained in office; (b) an adverse change in the executive officer’s powers, compensation and/or benefits; (c) an adverse change in the nature and/or scope of the executive officer’s business responsibilities; (d) a liquidation or reorganization of us; (e) a significant change in the executive officer’s principal location of work; or (f) any

 

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material breach by us of the severance agreement. In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Attachmate and Novell agreed that the definition of a “constructive termination associated with a change in control” in each of the severance agreements would be amended to clarify that upon the completion of the merger each of the executive officers would be entitled to terminate his or her employment and have such termination treated as a “constructive termination associated with a change in control.” Accordingly, in the event that any of the executive officers terminates his or her employment following completion of the merger, he or she will be entitled to the severance payments and benefits described below.

If an executive officer experiences an “involuntary termination associated with a change in control,” within a certain time period following the merger (generally within two years following the merger) or prior to the merger (generally not more than six months prior to the merger), he or she will receive (i) a lump sum severance payment equal to 200% of base salary and 200% of incentive pay; (ii) incentive pay for the year of termination, prorated to the termination date; (iii) outplacement services (with a value up to 20% of base salary); (iv) the amount that the executive would have received under the Company’s 401(k) plan as a Company match for the 24-month period after the executive’s termination date (or under the applicable statutory pension plan for the 12-month period after the executive’s termination date, in the case of Mr. Colado); (v) if and in the event that the executive has a split-dollar life insurance policy, which is a policy that none of the executives currently has, a lump sum payment equal to the total split-dollar life insurance policy premiums for 24 months that the executive would have received from the Company (or less if the remaining period of arrangement is less than 24 months) (other than Mr. Colado) and (vi) all earned but unpaid wages and benefits. In addition, the executive will be reimbursed for up to 24 months of continued health and dental coverage. For purposes of calculating the severance payment amounts, “base salary” is defined as the greater of (i) the executive officer’s annual base salary rate as in effect immediately preceding the executive officer’s termination date, or (ii) the executive officer’s highest annual base salary rate as in effect in any of the three (3) full calendar years preceding the executive officer’s termination date, and “incentive pay” is defined as the greater of (i) the executive officer’s maximum target annual cash incentive for which the executive officer was eligible during the period that includes the termination date, or (ii) the highest aggregate annual cash incentive payment to the executive officer during any of the three (3) full calendar years prior to the executive officer’s termination date.

In addition, each of our executive officers (other than Messrs. Poole and Colado) are eligible to receive a gross-up payment to cover any federal excise taxes owed by them on any change in control-related severance payments and benefits if the net after-tax benefit to them of receiving the gross-up payment exceeds the maximum dollar amount that may be paid under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), without imposition of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code by more than ten percent (10%). The gross-up payment would cover (1) the amount of federal excise taxes and (2) the additional income taxes resulting from payment of the gross-up. In the event that any payment to Mr. Poole is deemed to exceed the maximum dollar amount that may be paid under Section 280G of the Code without imposition of an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code by more than ten percent, we will apply a limitation to such payment in the event that such limitation is beneficial to Mr. Poole.

The severance agreements also provide for legal fees of the executive officer to enforce the severance agreement to be paid by us in the event of a dispute following a change in control.

 

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The following table shows the estimated potential cash payments to our executive officers pursuant to their respective severance agreements with us, assuming the merger closes on March 9, 2011 and assuming they are terminated on such date. The estimated amounts that our executive officers may receive for their equity awards are shown in separate tables elsewhere in this proxy statement.

 

Name

   Lump Sum
Cash
Payment
($)(1)
     Health
and
Dental
Coverage
($)(2)
     401(k)
Matching
Contributions
($)(3)
     Estimated
Tax
Gross-up
($)(4)
     Total Cash
Payments
($)(5)
 

Ronald W. Hovsepian

     6,851,404         48,291         19,919         —           6,919,614   

Dana C. Russell

     2,807,635         48,291         19,919         —           2,875,845   

John K. Dragoon

     1,955,986         48,291         19,919         —           2,024,196   

Colleen A. O’Keefe

     1,739,177         48,291         19,919         —           1,807,387   

Joseph H. Wagner

     1,507,807         48,291         19,919         —           1,576,017   

Russell C. Poole

     1,383,439         4,536         19,919         —           1,407,894   

Scott N. Semel

     1,511,082         48,291         19,919         709,121         2,288,413   

James P. Ebzery

     1,581,116         48,291         19,919         —           1,649,326   

Javier Colado(6)

     2,389,974         3,105         11,819         —           2,404,898   

 

(1) Amounts include 200% of the executive officer’s base salary and 200% of incentive pay, prorated incentive pay, and an amount equal to 20% of base salary for outplacement services. While executive officers are eligible to receive an additional amount equal to 24 months (or less) of split-dollar life insurance premiums, none of the above-listed executives participate in that benefit program. In the case of Mr. Colado, the amount reflects the value of a long term incentive cash bonus award that would be paid upon termination, equal to $175,000.

 

(2) Amounts reflect the value of continued health and dental coverage for 24 months. In the case of Mr. Poole, the amount reflects dental coverage only for 24 months.

 

(3) Amounts reflect the total amount that the executive officer would receive under our 401(k) Plan as a match by us if the executive officer was eligible to participate in our 401(k) Plan for the 24-month period after the executive officer’s termination date and the executive officer contributed the maximum amount to the 401(k) Plan. In the case of Mr. Colado, the amount reflects the amount that Mr. Colado would receive under the applicable statutory pension plan if he was eligible to participate in the plan for the 12-month period after his termination date and he contributed the maximum amount to the plan for the match.

 

(4) The gross-up payment covers the cash severance payments and the value of accelerated vesting of equity awards, described below. For purposes of calculating the gross-up payments, the value of accelerated vesting of equity awards was determined in accordance with Section 280G of the Code.

 

(5) All cash payments, except for Mr. Colado’s, will be provided after a period of six months following the termination event, in order to accommodate requirements under Section 409A of the Code.

 

(6) The amounts reflect a conversion from Euros at an exchange rate of 1:1.32262 (Euros to USD).

 

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Treatment of Equity Awards and Other Equity-Based Compensation

Stock Options. Under the Merger Agreement, prior to the effective time of the merger, each stock option to purchase shares of our common stock that is outstanding under any of our equity plans will become fully vested and exercisable. Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each option outstanding as of the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) the amount by which $6.10 exceeds the applicable per share exercise price (if any) multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such stock option (such product the “Option Spread Value”), without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes.

As of March 9, 2011, our directors and executive officers are expected to hold stock options to purchase an aggregate of 10,701,111 shares of our common stock. Of these stock options, 6,672,071 will have per share exercise prices of less than $6.10, and our directors and executive officers are expected to receive approximately $13,656,150 in aggregate Option Spread Value for these stock options in connection with the merger, subject to applicable withholding taxes. The table below sets forth the approximate Option Spread Value for each of our directors and executive officers as of March 9, 2011, for: (i) stock options that by their terms are currently exercisable, (ii) stock options that are unexercisable but, in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement, will vest and be cancelled and converted immediately prior to the effective time of the merger and (iii) total exercisable stock options and cancelled unexercisable stock options immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (assuming a closing date of March 9, 2011). The amounts set forth in the table below do not reflect any applicable tax withholdings.

 

Name

   Option Spread
Value of
Exercisable
Stock Options
     Option Spread Value
of Unexercisable
Accelerated Stock
Options
     Total Option
Spread Value
 

Ronald W. Hovsepian

   $ 2,385,012       $ 2,806,826       $ 5,191,838   

Dana C. Russell

     615,193         1,083,708         1,698,901   

John K. Dragoon

     371,660         868,128         1,239,788   

Colleen A. O’Keefe

     188,633         514,301         702,934   

Joseph H. Wagner

     305,492         556,718         862,210   

Russell C. Poole

     77,403         162,732         240,135   

Scott N. Semel

     194,846         356,196         551,042   

James P. Ebzery

     220,018         603,212         823,230   

Javier Colado

     182,336         280,531         462,867   

Albert Aiello

     254,287         31,695         285,982   

Fred Corrado

     281,587         31,695         313,282   

Richard L. Crandall

     101,537         31,695         133,232   

Gary G. Greenfield

     83,037         86,945         169,982   

Judith H. Hamilton

     83,037         86,945         169,982   

Patrick S. Jones

     27,787         31,695         59,482   

Richard L. Nolan

     342,887         31,695         374,582   

John W. Poduska, Sr.

     344,987         31,695         376,682   

Restricted Stock Awards. Under the Merger Agreement, immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each restricted stock award granted under any of our equity plans that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) $6.10 multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of common stock constituting such restricted stock award (such product, the “Restricted Stock Value”), without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes.

 

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As of March 9, 2011, our directors and executive officers are expected to hold 88,620 shares of restricted stock and are expected to receive an aggregate of approximately $540,582 in Restricted Stock Value for such shares of unvested restricted stock in connection with the merger, subject to applicable withholding taxes. The table below sets forth the approximate gross Restricted Stock Value, as of March 9, 2011, for unvested restricted stock held by each of our directors and executive officers that, in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement, will be cancelled and converted immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (assuming a closing date of March 9, 2011). The amounts set forth in the table below do not reflect any applicable tax withholdings.

 

Name

   Restricted Stock Value of Unvested
Restricted Stock
 

Ronald W. Hovsepian

   $ —     

Dana C. Russell

     —     

John K. Dragoon

     —     

Colleen A. O’Keefe

     —     

Joseph H. Wagner

     —     

Russell C. Poole

     —     

Scott N. Semel

     —     

James P. Ebzery

     —     

Javier Colado

     —     

Albert Aiello

     90,097   

Fred Corrado

     90,097   

Richard L. Crandall

     90,097   

Gary G. Greenfield

     90,097   

Judith H. Hamilton

     —     

Patrick S. Jones

     —     

Richard L. Nolan

     90,097   

John W. Poduska, Sr.

     90,097   

Restricted Stock Units. Under the Merger Agreement, immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each restricted stock unit (including retention restricted stock units for Australian employees) granted under any of our equity plans that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) $6.10 multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of common stock underlying such restricted stock unit (such product, the “RSU Value”), without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes.

 

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As of March 9, 2011, our directors and executive officers are expected to hold 1,432,050 restricted stock units and are expected to receive an aggregate of approximately $8,735,505 in RSU Value for such restricted stock units in connection with the merger, subject to applicable withholding taxes. The table below sets forth the estimated gross RSU Value, as of March 9, 2011, for restricted stock units held by each of our directors and executive officers that, in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement, will be cancelled and converted immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (assuming a closing date of March 9, 2011). The estimated amounts set forth in the table below do not reflect any applicable tax withholdings.

 

Name

   RSU Value of Restricted Stock Units  

Ronald W. Hovsepian

   $ 2,759,463   

Dana C. Russell

     1,182,967   

John K. Dragoon

     974,585   

Colleen A. O’Keefe

     517,914   

Joseph H. Wagner

     539,844   

Russell C. Poole

     268,296   

Scott N. Semel

     575,236   

James P. Ebzery

     679,790   

Javier Colado

     511,485   

Albert Aiello

     68,216   

Fred Corrado

     68,216   

Richard L. Crandall

     68,216   

Gary G. Greenfield

     68,216   

Judith H. Hamilton

     158,313   

Patrick S. Jones

     158,313   

Richard L. Nolan

     68,216   

John W. Poduska, Sr.

     68,216   

Stock-Based Deferred Compensation Units and Common Stock Equivalents. Prior to the effective time of the merger, Novell will also equitably adjust, effective as of the effective time of the merger, each deferral under our Stock-Based Deferred Compensation Plan and our 2009 Directors Deferral Plan that is denominated in shares of common stock to provide that each such deferral will, from and after the effective time of the merger, equal an amount equal to the product of (i) $6.10 multiplied by (ii) the number of notional shares of common stock previously subject to such deferral (such amount, the “Deferred CSE Value”). Those payments will be subject to reduction for any applicable withholding taxes.

 

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In addition, to the extent that any portion of the Deferred CSE Value is unvested at the time of the merger, such amounts shall become fully vested upon the merger. As of March 9, 2011, our directors and executive officers are expected to hold 15,788 deferred units equaling an aggregate of $96,307 in unvested Deferred CSE Value. The table below sets forth the estimated gross Deferred CSE Value, as of March 9, 2011, for 115,488 deferred units held by each of our directors and executive officers that, in accordance with the provisions of the Merger Agreement, will vest as of the effective time of the merger (assuming a closing date of March 9, 2011).

 

Name

   Deferred CSE Value of Deferrals
under Stock-Based Deferred
Compensation Plan

and 2009 Directors Deferral Plan
 

Ronald W. Hovsepian

   $ 65,843   

Dana C. Russell

     —     

John K. Dragoon

     127,100   

Colleen A. O’Keefe

     —     

Joseph H. Wagner

     114,918   

Russell C. Poole

     16,128   

Scott N. Semel

     —     

James P. Ebzery

     —     

Javier Colado

     —     

Albert Aiello

     —     

Fred Corrado

     92,153   

Richard L. Crandall

     —     

Gary G. Greenfield

     —     

Judith H. Hamilton

     —     

Patrick S. Jones

     —     

Richard L. Nolan

     15,884   

John W. Poduska, Sr.

     272,450   

Director Payments

Our board of directors awarded Richard L. Crandall, the chairman of our board of directors, two $50,000 payments in recognition of his increased work effort, time commitment and contributions in connection with the merger.

Other Relationships

Gary G. Greenfield, one of our directors, is a member of the board of directors of GXS, Inc., a provider of business-to-business integration, synchronization and collaboration solutions, of which Francisco Partners, one of the principal shareholders of Attachmate, is a majority owner and Golden Gate Capital, also one of the principal shareholders of Attachmate, is a minority owner. He is also a passive investor in Francisco Partners GP, LLC, Francisco Partners GP II, L.P. and Francisco Partners GP II (Cayman), L.P., which are private equity funds managed by Francisco Partners. At a September 21, 2010 meeting, our board of directors discussed certain relationships that Mr. Greenfield had disclosed previously to the other directors, including Mr. Greenfield’s prior position as Chief Executive Officer of a company wholly owned by a fund of Francisco Partners and as a former operating partner of Francisco Partners as well as his continuing passive interest in certain of Francisco Partners’ investment funds. Mr. Greenfield reported that he did not have definitive information as to which fund or funds of Francisco Partners might be used to finance the proposed transaction with the Attachmate Group. Our board of directors determined at the meeting, with Mr. Greenfield abstaining from such determination, that Mr. Greenfield’s continued participation in the process would be beneficial and enhance the ability of our board of directors to consider and pursue our and our stockholders’ best interests. Our board of directors further ratified his prior participation as a member of our board of directors in deliberations and decisions relative to the process.

Indemnification and Insurance

Under the Merger Agreement, the rights of each present and former director and officer of Novell or any of its subsidiaries and of each individual who is serving or has served at Novell’s request as a director, officer or

 

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trustee of another entity to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger, as provided in Novell’s or its subsidiaries’ respective organizational documents or in any indemnification or other agreements, will be assumed by the surviving corporation and will continue in full force and effect without any amendment, repeal or modification in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of the indemnified parties under such agreements, unless such modification is required by applicable law.

The surviving corporation has an obligation to maintain in effect our existing directors’ and officers’ insurance and fiduciary liability policies that provide coverage for events existing at or occurring prior to the effective time of the merger for a period of not less than six years following the effective time, provided that the annual premium for such policies does not exceed 200% of the aggregate annual premiums paid by us for such insurance in 2010. If, during such six-year period, such insurance exceeds such maximum premium, the surviving corporation will obtain as much directors’ and officers’ liability insurance as can be obtained for such amount. We have the right to purchase, prior to the effective time of the merger, fully prepaid “tail” insurance coverage that provides coverage identical in all material respects to the coverage we currently maintain for matters occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger, provided that the premium for such coverage does not exceed 200% of the aggregate annual premiums paid by us for such insurance in 2010.

Effects on Us if the Merger is Not Completed

If the Merger Agreement is not adopted by our stockholders or if the merger is not completed for any other reason, our stockholders will not receive any payment for their shares or stock options or other equity awards in connection with the merger. Instead, Novell will remain an independent public company and our common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. In addition, if the merger is not completed, we expect that management will operate the business in a manner similar to that in which it is being operated today, and our stockholders will continue to be subject to the same risks and opportunities to which they are currently subject. Accordingly, if the merger is not consummated, there can be no assurance as to the effect of these risks and opportunities on the future value of your Novell shares. Under specified circumstances, we may be required to pay Attachmate a termination fee of $60 million or certain of Attachmate’s expenses, or Attachmate may be required to pay Novell a reverse termination fee of $120 million, in each case, as described in “The Merger Agreement – Fees and Expenses” beginning on page 89.

If the merger is not completed, from time to time, our board of directors will evaluate and review, among other things, our business, operations, properties, dividend policy and capitalization and make such changes as are deemed appropriate and continue to seek to identify various alternatives to enhance stockholder value. If the Merger Agreement is not adopted by our stockholders, or if the merger is not consummated for any other reason, there can be no assurance that any other transaction acceptable to Novell will be offered, or that our business, prospects or results of operations will not be adversely impacted.

If the Merger Agreement is terminated for any reason other than our receipt of an “acquisition proposal” for our entire company that we deem to be a “superior proposal,” CPTN may elect for the Patent Purchase Agreement to remain in full force and effect. CPTN may also elect for the Patent Purchase Agreement to remain in full force and effect if the Merger Agreement is terminated due to our acceptance of an “acquisition proposal” (other than an acquisition proposal that contemplates we will retain all of the 882 issued patents and patent applications) that we deem to be a “superior proposal.” In the event that CPTN has elected to continue the Patent Purchase Agreement following a termination of the Merger Agreement as described, we and CPTN will enter into a royalty-free, fully paid-up patent cross license for no additional consideration, effective as of the closing of the patent sale, with respect to all patents and patent applications owned or controlled by us and CPTN on mutually acceptable terms that are no less favorable in the aggregate to either party than the terms of any other patent cross license offered by CPTN to any other person (other than any member of CPTN or an affiliate of any such member).

 

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Delisting and Deregistration of Our Common Stock

If the merger is completed, our common stock will be delisted from and will no longer be traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and will be deregistered under the Exchange Act. Following the closing of the merger we will no longer be a public company.

Material United States Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Merger

The following is a summary of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the merger to “U.S. holders” and “non-U.S. holders” (each, as defined below) who receive cash in the merger in exchange for shares of Novell common stock. The discussion does not purport to consider all aspects of United States federal income taxation that might be relevant to holders of Novell common stock. The discussion is based on the Code, applicable current and proposed United States Treasury regulations, judicial authority and administrative rulings and practice, all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. Any change could alter the tax consequences of the merger to the holders of Novell common stock. This discussion applies only to holders who hold shares of Novell common stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address all aspects of United States federal income taxation that may be relevant to holders of Novell common stock in light of their particular circumstances, or that may apply to holders that are subject to special treatment under United States federal income tax laws (including, for example, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, financial institutions, broker-dealers, cooperatives, traders in securities who elect to mark their securities to market, mutual funds, real estate investment trusts, S corporations, holders subject to the alternative minimum tax, persons who validly exercise appraisal rights, partnerships or other pass-through entities and persons holding shares of Novell common stock through a partnership or other pass-through entity, persons who acquired shares of Novell common stock in connection with the exercise of employee stock options or otherwise as compensation, United States expatriates, “passive foreign investment companies,” “controlled foreign corporations,” persons who hold shares of Novell common stock as part of a hedge, straddle, constructive sale or conversion transaction and persons who hold any equity interest, directly or indirectly through constructive ownership or otherwise, in Attachmate or Novell after the merger). This discussion does not address any aspect of state, local or foreign tax laws or United States federal tax laws other than United States federal income tax laws.

The summary set forth below is for general information purposes only. It is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, legal or tax advice to any particular holder of Novell common stock. The summary is not intended to constitute a complete description of all tax consequences relating to the merger. Because individual circumstances may differ, each holder should consult its tax advisor regarding the applicability of the rules discussed below to the holder and the particular tax effects of the merger to the holder, including the application of state, local and foreign tax laws.

For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. holder” is a holder of shares of Novell common stock, who or that is, for United States federal income tax purposes:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation for United States federal income tax purposes, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state of the United States or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if (1) a United States court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more United States persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust; or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a domestic trust for United States federal income tax purposes.

A “non-U.S. holder” is a person (other than a partnership) that is not a U.S. holder.

 

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If shares of Novell common stock are held by a partnership, the United States federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold shares of Novell common stock and partners in such partnerships are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the tax consequences to them of the merger.

U.S. Holders. The receipt of cash for shares of Novell common stock in the merger will be a taxable transaction for United States federal income tax purposes. In general, a U.S. holder who exchanges shares of Novell common stock for cash in the merger will recognize capital gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received in exchange for such shares and the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares. If a U.S. holder acquired different blocks of Novell common stock at different times or different prices, such holder must determine its tax basis and holding period separately with respect to each block of Novell common stock. Such gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss provided that a U.S. holder’s holding period for such shares is more than one year at the time of completion of the merger. Long-term capital gains for certain non-corporate U.S. holders, including individuals, are generally eligible for a reduced rate of federal income taxation. There are limitations on the deductibility of capital losses.

Cash payments made pursuant to the merger agreement will be reported to holders of Novell common stock and the United States Internal Revenue Service to the extent required by the Code and applicable regulations of the United States Treasury. Under the Code, a U.S. holder of Novell common stock (other than a corporation or other exempt recipient) may be subject, under certain circumstances, to information reporting on the cash received in the merger. Backup withholding also may apply with respect to the amount of cash received in the merger, unless the U.S. holder provides proof of an applicable exemption or a correct taxpayer identification number and otherwise complies with applicable requirements of the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules will be allowed as a refund or a credit against a U.S. holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Non-U.S. Holders. Any gain realized on the receipt of cash in the merger by a non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to United States federal income tax unless:

 

   

the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of the non-U.S. holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable United States income tax treaty, is attributable to a United States permanent establishment of the non-U.S. holder);

 

   

the non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more in the taxable year of the cash disposition, and certain other conditions are met; or

 

   

Novell was a “United States real property holding corporation” for United States federal income tax purposes within the five years preceding the merger.

A non-U.S. holder whose gain is described in the first bullet point above will be subject to tax on its net gain in the same manner as if it were a U.S. holder. In addition, such a non-U.S. holder that is a corporation may be subject to a branch profits tax equal to 30% of its effectively connected earnings and profits (including such gain) or at such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. An individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point above will be subject to tax at a 30% flat rate on the gain recognized, equal to the difference, if any, between the amount of cash received in exchange for shares of Novell common stock and the non-U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis in such shares, which may be offset by U.S. source capital losses even though the individual is not considered a resident of the United States. To the extent that a non-U.S. holder’s income is eligible for a reduced rate of withholding tax under a treaty, such non-U.S. holder may obtain a refund of excess amounts withheld by filing a properly completed claim for refund with the Internal Revenue Service. Novell does not believe it is, or has been during the five years preceding the merger, a United States real property holding corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a non-United States real property interest certificate is not delivered by Novell in a timely manner, the paying agent shall be instructed to deduct or withhold from the merger consideration payable to each non-U.S. holder all such amounts required to be withheld under applicable tax law.

 

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Cash received by non-U.S. holders in the merger also will be subject to information reporting, unless an exemption applies. Moreover, backup withholding of tax may apply to cash received by a non-U.S. holder in the merger, unless the holder or other payee establishes an exemption in a manner satisfactory to the paying agent and otherwise complies with the backup withholding rules. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules may be allowed as a refund or a credit against a non-U.S. holder’s United States federal income tax liability provided that the required information is timely furnished to the Internal Revenue Service.

Regulatory Matters

Under the HSR Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, certain transactions, including the merger, may not be consummated unless certain waiting period requirements have expired or been terminated. The HSR Act provides that each party must file a pre-merger notification with the FTC and the DOJ. A transaction notifiable under the HSR Act may not be completed until the expiration of a 30-calendar-day waiting period following the parties’ filing of their respective HSR Act notification forms or the early termination of that waiting period. If the DOJ or the FTC issues a Request for Additional Information and Documentary Material (“Second Request”) prior to the expiration of the initial waiting period, the parties must observe a second 30-day waiting period, which would begin to run only after both parties have substantially complied with the request for additional information, unless the waiting period is terminated earlier. At any time before or after the merger is completed, either the DOJ or the FTC could take action under the antitrust laws in opposition to the merger, including seeking to enjoin completion of the merger or permitting completion subject to regulatory concessions or conditions. In addition, U.S. state attorneys general could take action under the antitrust laws, including, without limitation, seeking to enjoin the completion of the merger or permitting completion subject to regulatory concessions or conditions. Private parties may also seek to take legal action under the antitrust laws under some circumstances.

The parties to the merger originally filed their respective notification and report forms pursuant to the HSR Act with the FTC and DOJ on December 1, 2010 and the initial 30-day waiting period would have expired on December 31, 2010. In order to provide the DOJ with additional time to review the information submitted by the parties, Attachmate is voluntarily withdrawing its HSR Act notification form, effective December 31, 2010 and intends to re-file for the same transaction on or about January 3, 2011. The effect of this re-filing will also be to extend the waiting period under the HSR Act to a date 30 days from the date of the re-filing, unless earlier terminated or extended by the DOJ requesting additional information from the parties.

The merger was also subject to review and approval by the FCO. Attachmate, with the consent of Novell, filed the appropriate notification in Germany, and the FCO granted clearance to the merger transaction on December 23, 2010 stating that it will not oppose the merger transaction.

The patent sale is also subject to the HSR Act. In addition, U.S. state attorneys general could take action under the antitrust laws, including without limitation seeking to enjoin the completion of the patent sale or permitting completion subject to regulatory concessions or conditions. Private parties may also seek to take legal action under the antitrust laws under some circumstances. Subject to certain exceptions, the Patent Purchase Agreement requires us and CPTN to cooperate and use commercially reasonable efforts to consummate the Patent Sale, including with respect to the filing of all notification reports required under the HSR Act and under the ARC. The parties to the patent sale originally filed their respective notification and report forms pursuant to the HSR Act with the FTC and DOJ on December 1, 2010 and the initial 30-day waiting period would have expired on December 31, 2010. In order to provide the DOJ with additional time to review the information submitted by the parties, CPTN is voluntarily withdrawing its HSR Act notification form, effective December 30, 2010 and intends to re-file for the same transaction on or before January 4, 2011. The effect of this re-filing will also be to extend the waiting period under the HSR Act to a date 30 days from the date of the re-filing, unless earlier terminated or extended by the DOJ requesting additional information from the parties. CPTN has also filed the appropriate notification in Germany and is pursuing FCO approval of the implementation of CPTN. The initial one month waiting period will expire at 11:59 p.m. on January 6, 2011, unless the FCO grants early termination.

 

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THE MERGER AGREEMENT

(PROPOSAL NO. 1)

The following summary describes material provisions of the Merger Agreement. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the Merger Agreement, which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A and is incorporated herein by reference. We urge you to read carefully the Merger Agreement in its entirety because this summary may not contain all the information about the Merger Agreement that is important to you. The Merger Agreement and the following description have been included to provide you with information regarding the terms of the Merger Agreement. It is not intended to provide any other factual information about Novell or Attachmate. Such information can be found elsewhere in this proxy statement and in the other public filings Novell makes with the SEC, which are available, without charge, at http://www.sec.gov.

The representations, warranties and covenants contained in the Merger Agreement were made solely for the purposes of the Merger Agreement and the benefit of the parties to the Merger Agreement and may be subject to limitations agreed upon by the contracting parties. Certain of the representations and warranties have been made for the purposes of allocating contractual risk between the parties to the Merger Agreement instead of establishing these matters as facts. In addition, the representations and warranties contained in the Merger Agreement (i) are qualified by information in a confidential disclosure schedule that the parties have exchanged, (ii) were made only as of the dates specified in the Merger Agreement or the confidential disclosure schedule, and (iii) in some cases are subject to qualifications with respect to materiality, knowledge and/or other matters, including standards of materiality applicable to the contracting parties that differ from those applicable to investors. Moreover, information concerning the subject matter of the representations and warranties may change after the date of the Merger Agreement, which subsequent information may or may not be fully reflected in Novell’s public disclosures. Accordingly, you should not rely on the representations and warranties as characterizations of the actual state of facts or condition of Novell or Attachmate or any of their respective subsidiaries or affiliates. In addition, the representations and warranties and other provisions of the Merger Agreement should not be read alone, and you should read the information provided elsewhere in this proxy statement.

The Merger

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub, a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate, will merge with and into Novell, with Novell continuing as the surviving corporation of the merger. As a result of the merger, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub will cease, and Novell will continue as the surviving corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate. We sometimes refer to Novell after the consummation of the merger as the surviving corporation. At the effective time of the merger, our certificate of incorporation will be amended to read in its entirety as the certificate of incorporation of Merger Sub in effect immediately prior to the effective time, except that the name of the Surviving Company will be “Novell, Inc,” and the bylaws of Merger Sub will become the bylaws of the surviving corporation, except that the name of the surviving corporation will be “Novell, Inc.” The directors of Merger Sub immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will become the directors of the surviving corporation, and the officers of Novell immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will continue as the officers of the surviving corporation.

Effective Time of the Merger

The merger will become effective upon the filing of a certificate of merger with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or at such later date and time as is agreed upon by Attachmate and us and specified in such certificate of merger. The filing of the certificate of merger will occur at the closing, which will take place on the later of (i) the second business day after satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to the closing of the merger set forth in the Merger Agreement (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions taken at the closing of the merger and the consummation of the patent sale, but subject to the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions to consummation of the merger, including the consummation of the patent sale at the

 

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closing of the merger) and described in this proxy statement, provided, however, if any condition is not satisfied or waived as of such second business day, the closing will be rescheduled to the next business day upon which all of the conditions are so satisfied or waived; and (ii) the earlier of (a) a date specified by Attachmate on at least two business days notice and (b) the final day of Attachmate’s marketing period, or at such other date or time as is agreed upon by Attachmate and us. Attachmate is not required to consummate the merger on or before January 23, 2011.

The Merger Agreement provides that, without Attachmate’s agreement, the closing of the merger will not occur earlier than the final day of Attachmate’s marketing period, which is the first 20 consecutive calendar days, commencing on the first day after the mailing of this proxy statement on which (i) Attachmate has received all financial and other information regarding us as may be necessary or reasonably required by Attachmate in connection with its debt financing, including information with respect to our fiscal year ended October 31, 2010, and (ii) all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger have been satisfied (other than those conditions that by their nature are to be satisfied by actions taken at the closing of the merger and the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Patent Purchase Agreement, each of which is capable of being satisfied at the closing) or waived. However, the marketing period may end on any earlier date on which the debt financing has been funded pursuant to the terms of the debt commitment letter (or applicable definitive agreement entered into pursuant to the debt commitment letter) or would be funded if the equity financing were funded. The marketing period may be extended once for a period not to exceed 15 calendar days if the managing underwriter or lead arranger, as applicable, for the debt financing advises Attachmate and Novell that in its view, the information contained in any update to the financial and other information provided regarding us would have an adverse effect on the marketing of the debt financing.

We intend to complete the merger as promptly as practicable, subject to receipt of stockholder approval and all requisite regulatory approvals. Although we currently expect to complete the merger during the first calendar quarter of 2011, we cannot specify when, or assure you that, all conditions to the consummation of the merger will be satisfied or waived, or that the merger will be completed.

Merger Consideration

At the effective time of the merger, each issued and outstanding share of our common stock, other than treasury shares, shares held by Attachmate, Merger Sub or any other direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate or us, and shares held by stockholders who perfect their appraisal rights, will be converted into the right to receive $6.10 in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. The $6.10 price per share being offered by Attachmate in the merger was determined through arm’s-length negotiations between Attachmate and us and assumes that the proposed patent sale has been completed and that Novell would have an additional $450 million in cash on hand at the effective time of the merger from the gross cash proceeds of the patent sale.

As of the effective time of the merger, all shares of our common stock converted into the right to receive the $6.10 per share cash merger consideration will no longer be outstanding and will automatically be cancelled and will cease to exist, and holders of shares of our common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will cease to have any rights as a stockholder, except the right to receive $6.10 per share in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes (other than stockholders who have perfected their appraisal rights).

Treasury shares and shares held by Attachmate, Merger Sub or any other direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate or us immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and will cease to exist and no consideration will be paid for such shares.

Shares held by our stockholders who perfect their appraisal rights will be converted into the right to receive such consideration as may be determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery under Section 262 of the DGCL.

 

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Payment Procedures

At or promptly after the closing of the merger, Attachmate will deposit sufficient funds with a paying agent in order to permit the timely payment of the aggregate merger consideration, which such funds will constitute the consideration fund. Promptly (and in any event within five business days) after the effective time of the merger, Attachmate will cause the paying agent to mail to each holder of record of our common stock that was converted into the right to receive the $6.10 per share merger consideration a letter of transmittal and instructions for use in effecting the surrender of the shares of our common stock in exchange for the merger consideration. If any of your certificates representing our common stock have been lost, stolen or destroyed, you will be entitled to obtain the merger consideration after you make an affidavit of that fact and, if reasonably required by Attachmate, post a bond, in such reasonable amount as Attachmate may direct, or indemnity against any claim that may be made against Attachmate with respect to such certificates. If any portion of the merger consideration is to be paid to a person other than the person in whose name the surrendered certificate or the transferred book entry share is registered, as a condition to such payment (i) either such certificate will be properly endorsed or will otherwise be in proper form for transfer or such book entry share will be properly transferred and (ii) the person requesting such payment will pay to the paying agent any transfer or other taxes required as a result of such payment to a person other than the registered holder or establish to the satisfaction of Attachmate that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

Any funds that have not been distributed within one year after the effective time of the merger will be delivered to the surviving corporation. After that date, stockholders who have not complied with the instructions to exchange their shares will be entitled to look only to the surviving corporation for payment of the merger consideration. Any portion of the consideration fund remaining unclaimed by stockholders prior to such time as such amount would otherwise escheat to or become property of any governmental entity will, to the extent permitted by applicable law, become the property of the surviving corporation. None of the paying agent, Attachmate, Merger Sub, Novell or any of their respective affiliates, directors, officers, employees or agents will have any liability to any person in respect of cash from the consideration fund delivered to a public official pursuant to any applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar law.

You should not send your Novell stock certificates (if any) to the paying agent until you have received transmittal materials from the paying agent. Do not return your Novell stock certificates (if any) with the enclosed proxy.

Appraisal Rights

Shares of our common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger that are held by a stockholder who has not voted in favor of the Merger Agreement or consented thereto in writing and who is otherwise entitled to demand, and has properly demanded in writing, appraisal for such shares in accordance with Section 262 of the DGCL will not be converted into the right to receive the $6.10 per share merger consideration. Instead, such stockholder will only be entitled to payment of the appraised value of such shares in accordance with the DGCL. From and after the effective time of the merger, all such shares will not be entitled to vote for any purpose or be entitled to the payment of dividends or other distributions (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders prior to the effective time of the merger). In the event a stockholder withdraws or loses (through failure to perfect or otherwise) the right to appraisal under the DGCL, then, as of the later of the effective time of the merger and the occurrence of such withdrawal or loss, such shares will be deemed to have been converted at the effective time of the merger into the right to receive the per share cash merger consideration described above. We are required to give prompt notice to Attachmate of any notice received by us of the intent of any holder of our shares of common stock to demand appraisal, any written demands for appraisal, any withdrawals of such demands and any instruments served pursuant to Section 262 of the DGCL and received by us. We are also required to keep Attachmate fully informed regarding all negotiations and proceedings with respect to the exercise of appraisal rights, including providing Attachmate with the opportunity to consult with us regarding the defense or settlement of any appraisal demand. We may not, without Attachmate’s prior written consent, settle any proceeding with respect to a appraisal.

 

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These rights in general are discussed more fully under the section of this proxy statement entitled “Appraisal Rights” beginning on page 95.

Treatment of Equity Awards and Other Equity-Based Compensation

Stock Options. Prior to the effective time of the merger, each stock option to purchase shares of our common stock that is outstanding under any of our equity plans will become fully vested and exercisable. Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each option outstanding as of the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) the amount by which $6.10 exceeds the applicable per share exercise price (if any) multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of such stock option, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. The surviving corporation may make such cash payments on Novell’s behalf.

Restricted Stock Awards. Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each restricted stock award granted under any of our equity plans that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) $6.10 multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of common stock constituting such restricted stock award, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. The surviving corporation may make such cash payments on Novell’s behalf.

Restricted Stock Units. Immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, each restricted stock unit (including retention restricted stock units for Australian employees), other than a retention restricted stock unit, granted under any of our equity plans that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will be cancelled and converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to the product of (i) $6.10 multiplied by (ii) the number of shares of common stock underlying such restricted stock unit, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. The surviving corporation may make such cash payments on Novell’s behalf.

Retention Restricted Stock Units. As of the effective time of the merger, each retention restricted stock unit that is outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger (excluding retention restricted stock units for Australian employees) will be converted into the right to receive a cash payment in an amount equal to $6.10 for each share of common stock subject to such retention restricted stock unit, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes. These cash payments will be paid subject to and in accordance with the existing vesting schedule of those retention restricted stock units.

Stock-Based Deferred Compensation Units and Common Stock Equivalents. Prior to the effective time of the merger, Novell will also equitably adjust, effective as of the effective time of the merger, each deferral under our Stock-Based Deferred Compensation Plan and our 2009 Directors Deferral Plan that is denominated in shares of common stock to provide that each such deferral will, from and after the effective time of the merger, equal an amount equal to the product of (i) $6.10 multiplied by (ii) the number of notional shares of common stock previously subject to such deferral. Those payments will be subject to reduction for any applicable withholding taxes.

Long Term Incentive Cash Bonus Awards

Prior to the effective time of the merger, Novell will pay to each holder of long term incentive cash bonus awards cash in the full amount of such award. Each retention long term incentive cash bonus award outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will remain outstanding and will be paid out subject to and in accordance with the existing vesting schedule of such award.

Financing

Attachmate has agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to arrange and obtain financing, consisting of equity and debt financing, on terms and conditions described in equity and debt commitment letters that were delivered

 

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to us and that are described elsewhere in this proxy statement. In addition, Attachmate has agreed not to permit any amendment or waiver of any provisions of the commitment letters that would reduce the aggregate amount of the financing or impose new or additional conditions or amend or expand any conditions to the receipt of financing, in each case, in a manner that would reasonably be expected to delay or prevent the closing date of the merger, make the funding of the financing less likely to occur or adversely impact the ability of Attachmate, Merger Sub or, with respect to the equity financing, Novell, to enforce its rights against the other parties to the commitment letters or the definitive financing agreements, the ability of Attachmate or Merger Sub to consummate the merger or the likelihood of the consummation of the merger. Attachmate and Merger Sub may amend the debt commitment letter to add lenders, lead arrangers or similar entities or otherwise amend or replace the debt commitment letter so long as such action would not reasonably be expected to delay or prevent the closing of the merger, the terms are not materially less beneficial to Attachmate or Merger Sub with respect to conditionality than those in the initial debt commitment letter and any replacement debt commitments are on terms and conditions not materially less favorable, taken as a whole to Attachmate, Merger Sub and us than the terms and conditions in the applicable existing debt financing agreements.

Attachmate has further agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to maintain in effect such commitment letters and any related definitive agreements, timely satisfy all conditions in the financing agreements applicable to it and Merger Sub in order to obtain the financing, consummate the equity financing at or prior to the closing of the merger, negotiate and enter into definitive agreements with respect to the debt facility and provide copies of such agreements to us, consummate the debt financing at or prior to the closing of the merger and fully enforce any counterparties’ obligations and its own rights under any financing agreements. If any portion of the debt financing becomes unavailable on the terms and conditions contemplated by the applicable financing agreements, Attachmate will promptly notify us and will use its reasonable best efforts to arrange and obtain alternative financing from alternative sources in an amount sufficient to consummate the merger with terms and conditions not materially less favorable, taken as a whole, to Attachmate, Merger Sub and us than the terms and conditions in the applicable existing debt financing agreements.

If the closing of the merger does not occur on or prior to March 31, 2011, Attachmate is required to use its reasonable best efforts to extend the term of the debt commitment letter upon terms and conditions substantially similar to those currently reflected in the debt commitment letter to a date that is not less than 30 days and not more than 60 days after April 20, 2011, which is the date on which either party may terminate the Merger Agreement if the merger has not been consummated, provided certain conditions are met. In the event that Attachmate successfully extends the term of the debt commitment letter and certain conditions have been met prior to April 20, 2011, the date on which either party may terminate the Merger Agreement will be automatically extended until the expiration of the extension; provided that Attachmate and its affiliates, including the equity investors under the equity commitment letters, will not be required to pay any out-of-pocket fees or expenses to or on behalf of such lenders or to contribute additional equity with respect to the merger.

We have agreed to provide to Attachmate, at Attachmate’s cost and expense, and to use reasonable best efforts to cause our representatives to provide, all cooperation reasonably requested by Attachmate that is customary and necessary in connection with arranging and obtaining debt financing and causing the conditions in the debt commitment letter to be satisfied, including:

 

   

assisting with the preparation of offering and syndication documents and materials, including prospectuses, private placement memoranda, information memoranda and packages, lender and investor presentations, rating agency materials and presentations, and similar documents and materials, in connection with the debt financing, and providing reasonable and customary authorization letters to the financing sources authorizing the distribution of information to prospective lenders and containing customary information;

 

   

preparing and furnishing Attachmate and its financing sources as promptly as practicable with all required information and all other information and disclosures relating to us and our subsidiaries (including their businesses, operations, financial projections and prospects) as may be reasonably

 

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requested by Attachmate (including execution of customary authorization and management representation letters);

 

   

participating in a reasonable number of meetings, presentations, road shows, due diligence sessions, drafting sessions and sessions with rating agencies in connection with the debt financing, including direct contact between senior management and officers, employees and any other authorized representatives of us and our subsidiaries and Attachmate’s financing sources and potential lenders and investors in the debt financing;

 

   

using reasonable best efforts to assist Attachmate in obtaining any corporate credit and family ratings (in each case solely to the extent applicable to us and our subsidiaries) from any ratings agencies contemplated by the debt commitment letter;

 

   

requesting our independent auditors to cooperate with Attachmate’s reasonable best efforts to obtain accountant’s comfort letters and consents from our independent auditors;

 

   

assisting in the preparation of, and executing and delivering, definitive financing documents, including guarantee and collateral documents, hedging agreements and other certificates and documents as may be requested by Attachmate (including a certificate of our Chief Financial Officer and our subsidiaries with respect to solvency matters before giving effect to the debt and equity financing, the consummation of the merger, any matters relating to Attachmate or any actions to be taken from and after the closing);

 

   

facilitating the pledging of collateral for the debt financing, including taking commercially reasonable actions necessary to permit the financing sources of the debt financing to evaluate our and our subsidiaries’ real property and current assets, cash management and accounting systems, policies and procedures for the purpose of establishing collateral arrangements and establishing, as of the effective time of the merger, bank and other accounts and blocked account agreements and lockbox arrangements in connection with the debt financing;

 

   

using reasonable best efforts to ensure that the financing sources benefit from our and our subsidiaries’ existing lending relationships;

 

   

using reasonable best efforts to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations and instruments which may be reasonably requested by Attachmate in connection with the debt financing and collateral arrangements, including customary payoff letters, lien releases, instruments of termination or discharge, legal opinions, surveys, title insurance and landlord consents, waivers and access agreements; and

 

   

cooperating with Attachmate to satisfy the conditions precedent to the debt financing to the extent within our and our subsidiaries’ control, and taking all corporate actions, subject to the occurrence of the effective time of the merger, reasonably requested by Attachmate to permit the consummation of the debt financing and to permit the proceeds thereof to be made available to the surviving corporation immediately upon the effective time.

Upon our request, Attachmate will promptly reimburse us for all of our reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses incurred in connection with our cooperation. Attachmate has further agreed to indemnify us, our subsidiaries and our officers, employees and other authorized representatives in connection with the arrangement of the financing, and any information used in connection with such financing arrangements, except with respect to any information prepared or provided by us or any of our subsidiaries specifically designated for use in connection with the financing or incorporated by reference from any of our filings with the SEC. Attachmate’s reimbursement and indemnification obligations have been guaranteed pursuant to the limited guarantees made by Francisco Partners and Francisco Partners Fund A, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund, L.P. and Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund-A, L.P., Thoma Cressey Fund VII, L.P., Thoma Cressey Friends Fund VII, L.P. and Thoma Bravo Fund IX, L.P., and the Elliott Parties in favor of Novell.

 

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The obtaining of financing is not a condition to the closing of the merger and Attachmate is obligated to consummate the merger irrespective and independently of the availability of financing.

Representations and Warranties

In the Merger Agreement, we made representations and warranties to Attachmate, including those relating to the following:

 

   

our corporate organization and standing;

 

   

our capitalization and the absence of any voting trusts or agreements to which we or our subsidiaries are parties;

 

   

the absence of direct or indirect ownership of any equity or similar interest, convertible or otherwise, in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other business association or entity other than in us or our subsidiaries;

 

   

our authorization (including approval by our board of directors), execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and the enforceability of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

the absence of violations of our organizational documents, applicable laws or other obligations as a result of our execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the merger and the identification of government filings and consents required in connection therewith;

 

   

documents filed by us with the SEC since October 31, 2007 and the compliance and accuracy of the financial statements and other information contained therein, including the absence of any contracts, commitments or agreements to any joint venture, off-balance sheet partnerships or similar contracts that would result in the avoidance of disclosure of any material transactions involving, or material liabilities of, us or our subsidiaries;

 

   

the absence of undisclosed liabilities;

 

   

the absence of certain changes or events, including a “Company Material Adverse Effect,” involving us since July 31, 2010;

 

   

certain specified contracts, including, without limitation, the existence of any non-competition agreements, credit agreements under which more than $1.5 million remains outstanding, sales of assets exceeding $1.5 million, agreements requiring capital expenditures exceeding $1.5 million, agreements with rights of first refusal, severance, retention or employment agreements, collective bargaining agreements, material customer license agreements pursuant to which we received more than $2.0 million in revenue in our 2009 fiscal year and agreements requiring material future payments;

 

   

our employee benefit plans, matters relating to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and other matters concerning employee benefits;

 

   

the absence of pending or threatened litigation or investigations involving us;

 

   

our compliance with laws and possession of and compliance with permits, licenses and other approvals to operate our business;

 

   

our intellectual property;

 

   

our filing of tax returns, payment of taxes and other tax matters;

 

   

our ownership of real property and our real property lease arrangements;

 

   

environmental matters;

 

   

our employee and other labor matters;

 

   

the absence of an entitlement by any investment banker, broker, finder, financial advisor or intermediary, other than our financial advisor, to a fee or commission;

 

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the vote required to adopt the Merger Agreement;

 

   

approval by our board of directors, recommendation of stockholder approval and direction to submit the Merger Agreement to a stockholder vote;

 

   

the contents of this proxy statement;

 

   

our receipt of an opinion of our financial advisor;

 

   

that we have taken all action so that no anti-takeover laws or anti-takeover provisions in our organizational documents are applicable to the Merger Agreement and the merger;

 

   

related party transactions; and

 

   

the absence of any representations or warranties by Attachmate to us other than those contained in the Merger Agreement.

In the Merger Agreement, Attachmate made representations and warranties to us, including those relating to the following:

 

   

Attachmate’s and Merger Sub’s respective organization and standing;

 

   

Attachmate’s and Merger Sub’s respective authorization, execution, delivery and performance of the Merger Agreement and the enforceability of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

the absence of violations of Attachmate’s and Merger Sub’s respective organizational documents, applicable laws or other obligations as a result of their execution and delivery of the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the merger and the identification of government filings and consents required in connection therewith;

 

   

the accuracy of the material to be provided by Attachmate and Merger Sub for inclusion in this proxy statement;

 

   

the lack of any business activities of Merger Sub;

 

   

Attachmate’s financing of the merger;

 

   

the absence of “interested stockholder” status under Section 203 of the DGCL for Attachmate, Merger Sub and their affiliates and associates during the past three years;

 

   

the absence of any representations or warranties by Novell to Attachmate and Merger Sub other than those contained in the Merger Agreement;

 

   

the absence of pending or threatened litigation or investigations involving Attachmate;

 

   

the delivery and enforceability of the limited guarantees made by Francisco Partners and Francisco Partners Fund A, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund, L.P. and Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund-A, L.P., Thoma Cressey Fund VII, L.P., Thoma Cressey Friends Fund VII, L.P. and Thoma Bravo Fund IX, L.P., and the Elliott Parties, in favor of Novell with respect to Attachmate’s payment of the $120 million reverse termination fee to us and certain other obligations of Attachmate; and

 

   

the absence of an entitlement by any investment banker, broker, finder, financial advisor or intermediary to a fee or commission.

Definition of Company Material Adverse Effect

Several of the representations and warranties made by us in the Merger Agreement and certain conditions to performance by Attachmate and Merger Sub of their obligations under the Merger Agreement are qualified by reference to whether the item in question would have a “Company Material Adverse Effect” on Novell. The

 

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Merger Agreement provides that a “Company Material Adverse Effect” means any change, effect, event, occurrence or development that, individually or in the aggregate, is or would reasonably be expected to be materially adverse to the business, financial condition or results of operations of Novell and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or that prevents the consummation of the Merger on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments).

However, no change, effect, event, occurrence or development arising from or in connection with any of the following will constitute, or be considered in determining whether there has occurred or would reasonably be expected to occur, a “Company Material Adverse Effect”:

 

   

changes or developments in the enterprise software industry, changes or developments in the United States or the global economic or political condition, changes or developments in the United States securities markets, or natural disasters, acts of war, terrorism or sabotage, military actions or the escalation thereof, all to the extent they have not had, or would reasonably be expected not to have, a materially disproportionate effect on Novell and its subsidiaries relative to the other companies in the enterprise software industry;

 

   

the execution, delivery or performance of the Merger Agreement, the identity of Attachmate or Merger Sub or the pendency or consummation of the merger (including any cancellation of or delays in work for customers by customers, any reductions in sales by customers, any disruption in supplier, licensor, licensee, distributor, partner or similar relationships initiated by the other party to the relationship or any voluntary resignations of employees or consultants);

 

   

changes in GAAP, International Financial Reporting Standards or other applicable accounting rules or applicable law (including the accounting rules and regulations of the SEC), or, in any such case, changes in the interpretation thereof;

 

   

any action required by law or taken at the written request of an executive officer of Attachmate;

 

   

any change in market price or trading volume of Novell’s common stock or its credit rating, provided that the exception of such a change will not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that the underlying cause of such a change is a “Company Material Adverse Effect” (unless such underlying cause would otherwise be excepted);

 

   

any litigation brought or threatened by stockholders of either Attachmate or Novell (whether on behalf of Novell, Attachmate or otherwise) asserting allegations of breach of fiduciary duty relating to the Merger Agreement or violations of laws in connection with this proxy statement or otherwise in connection with the Merger Agreement;

 

   

any change, effect, event, occurrence or development to the extent it relates to the execution, delivery or performance of the Patent Purchase Agreement, the identity of CPTN or the transactions contemplated by the Patent Purchase Agreement;

 

   

any failure by Novell to meet any internal or published projections, forecasts or revenue or earnings predictions, or any predictions or expectations of Novell or of any securities analysts, provided that the exception of such a failure will not prevent or otherwise affect a determination that the underlying cause of such a failure is a “Company Material Adverse Effect” (unless such underlying cause would otherwise be excepted); and

 

   

any change, effect, event, occurrence or development to the extent it arises from or is the direct result of any repatriation of the cash on hand held by Novell’s foreign subsidiaries.

Covenants Relating to the Conduct of Our Business

During the period between the date of the Merger Agreement and the effective time of the merger, we have agreed with Attachmate, except as required in connection with applicable law, as contemplated or permitted by

 

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the Merger Agreement, the disclosure schedule to the Merger Agreement or the Patent Purchase Agreement, or as Attachmate may otherwise request or consent to, that we will conduct our business in the ordinary course.

In addition, we have agreed with Attachmate that, except as required in connection with applicable law, as contemplated or permitted by the Merger Agreement, the disclosure schedule to the Merger Agreement or the Patent Purchase Agreement, or as Attachmate may otherwise request or generally consent to, we will not:

 

   

amend our or any of our subsidiaries’ certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other comparable organizational documents;

 

   

except for the exercise or settlement of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, stock-based deferred compensation units or common stock equivalents outstanding as of the date of the Merger Agreement in accordance with their terms, issue, deliver, sell, dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber, or authorize or propose the issuance, sale, disposition or pledge or other encumbrance of (i) any shares of our or our subsidiaries’ capital stock or other equity interest, or any securities or rights convertible into, exchangeable or exercisable for, or evidencing the right to subscribe for, any shares of capital stock or other equity interest, or any rights, warrants, options, calls, commitments or any other agreements of any character to purchase or acquire such shares, equity interest, securities or rights or (ii) any other securities in respect of, in lieu of, or in substitution for common stock outstanding on the date of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, or propose to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any outstanding common stock, except for the acquisition of shares of our common stock and corresponding rights to purchase our common stock, (i) from holders of stock options in full or partial payment of the exercise price payable upon exercise of such stock options to the extent required or permitted under such stock options or to satisfy related tax obligations upon exercise or settlement of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock-based deferred compensation units or (ii) as required by any benefit plan;

 

   

(i) split, combine, subdivide or reclassify any shares of capital stock or declare, set aside for payment or pay or agree to pay any dividend or other distribution in respect of shares of capital stock or otherwise make any payments to stockholders in their capacity as such or (ii) enter into any agreement regarding voting or registration of our capital stock;

 

   

merge or consolidate or adopt a plan of complete or partial liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation, restructuring, business combination, recapitalization or other reorganization (other than the merger);

 

   

other than in the ordinary course of business or as otherwise permitted with respect to capital expenditures disclosed to Attachmate, acquire, sell, lease, license or otherwise dispose of, or pledge or encumber any assets, or create, extend, grant or issue any lien over any of the properties or assets of our business, except for (i) acquisitions in our or our subsidiaries’ existing or related lines of business as to which the aggregate consideration does not exceed $1.5 million; (ii) sales, leases, dispositions, pledges or encumbrances of assets with an aggregate fair market value of less than $1.5 million; or (iii) in the ordinary course of business in connection with the license of any of our products or sale of any of our services to customers;

 

   

incur any indebtedness for borrowed money in addition to that incurred as of the date of the Merger Agreement or guarantee any such indebtedness or make any loans, advances or capital contributions to, or investments in, any other person, other than (i) to us or our wholly owned subsidiaries or (ii) letters of credit or similar arrangements issued in the ordinary course of business as to which the aggregate liability of us and our subsidiaries does not exceed $2 million;

 

   

(i) grant any increases in the compensation of any of our directors, executive officers or employees, except for increases in the compensation of non-executive-officer employees in the ordinary course of business, (ii) enter into or amend any employment or severance agreements with any directors or

 

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executive officers or (iii) establish any bonus or incentive plan or set performance targets under any existing bonus or incentive plan, except that prior to December 31, 2010, we will pay earned annual bonuses for our 2010 fiscal year (as determined in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program) provided that the aggregate amount of such bonuses may not exceed $42 million;

 

   

enter into, terminate or materially amend any benefit plans, except as may be contemplated by the Merger Agreement, to the extent required or advisable to comply with applicable law or in the ordinary course of business with respect to any employee welfare benefit plan, provided that such plan does not limit our or our subsidiaries’ right to modify or terminate such plan without incurring additional liability;

 

   

change in any material respect any of the accounting policies, practices, principles, procedures or methods used by us or any subsidiary of us unless required by GAAP, International Financial Reporting Standards or applicable law;

 

   

waive, release, or assign any material claims or compromise, settle or agree to settle any suit, action, claim, proceeding or investigation (including relating to the Merger Agreement or the merger) other than compromises, settlements or agreements in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice that involve only the payment of monetary damages not in excess of $1 million individually or $3 million in the aggregate, without the imposition of equitable relief on, or the admission of wrongdoing by, us or any of our subsidiaries;

 

   

(i) make, change or revoke any tax election, (ii) consent to any extension or waiver of the statute of limitations period applicable to any tax claim or assessment, (iii) change any annual tax accounting period, (iv) change (or make a request to change) any method of tax accounting or enter into any tax allocation, sharing or indemnity agreement, (v) settle any tax claim, audit or assessment, or (vi) knowingly surrender any right to claim a tax refund;

 

   

take any action to exempt or make not subject to (i) the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL or (ii) any other state takeover law or state law that purports to limit or restrict business combinations or the ability to acquire or vote shares, any person (other than Attachmate or its subsidiaries) or any action taken thereby, which person or action would have otherwise been subject to the restrictive provisions of such laws;

 

   

with respect to any intellectual property owned by us or our subsidiaries, (i) encumber, impair, abandon, fail to maintain, transfer, license or otherwise dispose of any right, title or interest in any such intellectual property or software (other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice), or (ii) divulge, furnish to or make accessible any material trade secrets within such intellectual property to any person who is not subject to an enforceable written agreement to maintain the confidentiality of such trade secrets;

 

   

terminate, cancel, materially amend, renew, or request or agree to any material change in or material waiver under any specified contract, or enter into or amend any material contract in which any third party is granted marketing, resale or distribution rights of any type or scope with respect to any of our products or technology assets that cannot be terminated for convenience by us or an applicable subsidiary upon 60 days’ notice or less (other than in the ordinary course of business in connection with the license, sale, resale, development or distribution of any of our products or the sale, distribution, development or resale of any of our services to customers);

 

   

make or authorize any capital expenditure in excess of our capital expenditure budget as disclosed to Attachmate;

 

   

generally hire any person to be employed by, or provide services to, us or our subsidiaries;

 

   

take any action which is intended to make any of our representations or warranties untrue or incorrect or to cause us not to perform one or more of our covenants, in each case the result of which would be that certain conditions to closing ((i) our representations and warranties being true and accurate both

 

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when made and on the closing date of the merger, except with respect to certain of our representations and warranties for which the failure to be true and accurate would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a “Company Material Adverse Effect;” and (ii) our performance or compliance in all material respects with all agreements or covenants required to be performed or complied with by us at or prior to the effective time of the merger) would not be satisfied; or

 

   

enter into any enforceable contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement to do any of the foregoing.

Conditions to the Closing of the Merger

Each party’s obligation to consummate the merger is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of various conditions, which include the following:

The obligations of Novell, Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following conditions:

 

   

the adoption of the Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting;

 

   

the absence of any law or order or other action by a governmental entity of competent jurisdiction enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the merger; and

 

   

the expiration or termination of the waiting period (and any extensions) applicable to the merger under the HSR Act and the receipt of all consents under other applicable antitrust laws, including the approval by the FCO under the ARC.

In addition, the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following additional conditions (except that Attachmate and Merger Sub may not rely on the failure of any of the following conditions to be satisfied if such failure was caused by their failure to act in good faith or use their reasonable best efforts to consummate the merger, as required by and subject to the terms of the merger agreement):

 

   

our representations and warranties being true and accurate both when made and on the closing date of the merger, except with respect to certain of our representations and warranties for which the failure to be true and accurate would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a “Company Material Adverse Effect;”

 

   

our performance or compliance in all material respects with all agreements or covenants required to be performed or complied with by us at or prior to the effective time of the merger;

 

   

no “Company Material Adverse Effect” having occurred since the date of the Merger Agreement;

 

   

the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing of the patent sale, the closing of the patent sale and our receipt of the $450 million payable in connection with that closing (for additional information regarding the patent sale, see “The Merger – The Patent Sale” beginning on page 59) ;

 

   

the availability to us and our subsidiaries of cash and cash equivalents equal to approximately $1.03 billion; and

 

   

our delivery to Attachmate of a certificate, dated as of the closing date of the merger, signed by one of our officers, certifying to the satisfaction of the above described conditions.

In addition, our obligations to consummate the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of each of the following additional conditions (except that we may not rely on the failure of any of the following conditions to be satisfied if such failure was caused by our failure to act in good faith or use our reasonable best efforts to consummate the merger, as required by and subject to the terms of the Merger Agreement):

 

   

Attachmate’s representations and warranties being true and accurate both when made and on the closing date of the merger, except where the failure to be true and accurate would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a “Parent Material Adverse Effect;”

 

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Attachmate’s performance or compliance in all material respects with all agreements or covenants required to be performed, or complied with, by it at or prior to the effective time of the merger; and

 

   

Attachmate’s delivery to us of a certificate, dated as of the closing date of the merger, signed by one of its officers, certifying to the satisfaction of the above described conditions.

Definition of Parent Material Adverse Effect

The Merger Agreement provides that a “Parent Material Adverse Effect” means any material adverse change in, or material adverse effect on, the ability of Attachmate or Merger Sub to consummate the merger, including any such change or effect that prevents, materially delays or materially impairs Attachmate’s or Merger Sub’s ability to consummate the merger.

Restrictions on Solicitation of Other Offers

We have agreed that we will not, nor will we authorize or permit any of our subsidiaries to, and that we will use our reasonable best efforts to cause our officers, employees and other authorized representatives not to:

 

   

initiate, solicit or knowingly take any action to facilitate or encourage the submission of, or participate or engage in any negotiations or discussions with respect to any “acquisition proposal;”

 

   

in connection with any potential “acquisition proposal,” disclose or furnish any nonpublic information or data to any person concerning Novell or afford any person other than Attachmate or its officers, employees or other authorized representatives access to properties, books or records, except as required by law or in response to an unsolicited “acquisition proposal;” or

 

   

enter into or execute, or propose to enter into or execute, any acquisition agreement.

The Merger Agreement provides that an “acquisition proposal” is any inquiry, proposal, indication of interest or offer (whether in writing or otherwise) from any person (other than Attachmate, Merger Sub or any of their affiliates) relating to, or that is reasonably expected to lead to, any direct or indirect acquisition or purchase, in one transaction or a series of transactions, of (i) any assets or businesses that constitute 20% or more of our or our subsidiaries’ revenues or assets, taken as a whole, (ii) 20% or more of any class of our or our subsidiaries’ equity securities, (iii) any tender offer or exchange offer that if consummated would result in any person beneficially owning 20% or more of any class of our or our subsidiaries’ equity securities, (iv) or any merger, consolidation, business combination, recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, joint venture, binding share exchange or similar transaction pursuant to which any person or the shareholders of any person would own 20% or more of any class of our or our subsidiaries’ equity securities or of any resulting parent company of Novell, other than the merger and the patent sale.

However, we and our officers, employees and other authorized representatives may, in response to an “acquisition proposal” that was not solicited by us, any of our subsidiaries or any of our officers, employees and other authorized representatives, participate in discussions or negotiations with, or furnish nonpublic information or data to the person making the proposal (but only after such person enters into a customary confidentiality agreement that is not materially less restrictive of such person than the confidentiality agreement we previously entered into with Attachmate, does not provide for an exclusive right to negotiate with us and does not restrict us from complying with solicitation restrictions in the Merger Agreement) if:

 

   

our board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with its financial advisors and outside counsel, that such a proposal is, or would reasonably be expected to lead to, a “superior proposal;” or

 

   

our board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that the failure to participate in such discussions or negotiations, or to furnish nonpublic information or data would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties.

 

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We may not grant any waiver, amendment or release under any standstill agreement unless our board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel, that the failure to grant any such waiver, amendment or release would reasonably be expected to be inconsistent with the directors’ fiduciary duties under applicable law.

We are required to promptly (and in any event within the earlier of 48 hours and one business day) notify Attachmate of our receipt of any “acquisition proposal,” the price and other material terms and conditions of any such proposal (including the identity of the person making the proposal) and of any changes or supplements to the proposal. We are also required to notify Attachmate of any decision of our board of directors as to whether to consider any “acquisition proposal” or to enter into discussions or negotiations concerning any “acquisition proposal” or to provide nonpublic information or data. This notice must be given promptly (and in any event no later than 24 hours after such decision). We will provide Attachmate with written notice setting forth such information as is reasonably necessary to keep Attachmate informed in all material respects of the status and material terms of any “acquisition proposal” and of any material amendments. We will also provide Attachmate with copies of all written “acquisition proposals” within the earlier of 48 hours and one business day after receipt and promptly (and in any event within 24 hours of such determination) notify Attachmate of any determination by our board of directors that an “acquisition proposal” constitutes a “superior proposal.”

The Merger Agreement provides that a “superior proposal” is a bona fide proposal or offer constituting an “acquisition proposal” that, if consummated, would result in the person making such proposal or offer acquiring, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of our outstanding equity securities (or more than 50% of the outstanding equity securities of the surviving entity in a merger with us or the direct or indirect parent of the surviving entity of such a merger) or more than 50% of our and our subsidiaries’ assets, taken as a whole, which our board of directors determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel and its financial advisor, to be (i) more favorable to our stockholders from a financial point of view than the merger, taking into account all relevant factors (including all terms and conditions of such proposal and the Merger Agreement, including any changes to the terms of the Merger Agreement proposed by Attachmate in response to such offer or otherwise), and (ii) reasonably capable of being completed, taking into account all financial, legal, regulatory and other aspects of such proposal.

Restrictions on Change of Recommendation to Stockholders

We have agreed that neither our board of directors nor any board committee will directly or indirectly:

 

   

withdraw or modify, or publicly propose to withdraw or modify, its recommendation of the merger to our stockholders in a manner adverse to Attachmate;

 

   

approve, adopt or recommend, or publicly propose to approve, adopt or recommend, an “acquisition proposal;”

 

   

fail to recommend against acceptance of a tender or exchange offer for our outstanding common stock within ten business days after the commencement of such tender or exchange offer;

 

   

recommend that our stockholders reject adoption of the Merger Agreement or the merger; or

 

   

allow us or our subsidiaries to execute or enter into, any letter of intent, memorandum of understanding, agreement in principle, merger agreement, acquisition agreement, option agreement, joint venture agreement, partnership agreement, or other similar agreement, arrangement or understanding, (i) constituting or related to, or that is intended to or would reasonably be expected to lead to, any “acquisition proposal” (other than any permitted confidentiality agreement) or (ii) requiring it to abandon, terminate or fail to consummate the merger.

However, prior to our stockholders voting to adopt the Merger Agreement, (i) solely in response to a “superior proposal” which was not solicited by us or our subsidiaries, our board of directors may terminate the

 

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Merger Agreement in order to cause us to concurrently enter into a definitive acquisition agreement with respect to a “superior proposal” or (ii) our board of directors may withdraw or modify its recommendation of the merger to our stockholders in a manner adverse to Attachmate, if it determines in good faith, after consultation with outside counsel and its financial advisor, that failing to take any such action would be reasonably likely to result in a breach of its fiduciary duties. In addition, a termination of the Merger Agreement as described above or a withdrawal or modification of our board of directors’ recommendation may only be made after the fifth business day following our delivery to Attachmate of a written notice advising Attachmate of our board of directors’ intentions and specifying the terms and conditions of a “superior proposal,” including the identity of the person making the “superior proposal,” or reasonable details regarding the cause for, and nature of, such withdrawal or modification, as applicable. With respect to any “superior proposal,” any amendment to the financial terms or any other material term of such “superior proposal” will require a new written notice and a new three day business period. No termination of the Merger Agreement or withdrawal or modification of our board of directors’ recommendation, as described above, may be made during any such five or three business day period. We have also agreed to, and will cause our financial and legal advisors to, negotiate with Attachmate in good faith, to make such changes in the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement such that an “acquisition proposal” will no longer be a “superior proposal” or that the cause for the withdrawal or modification of our board of directors’ recommendation will no longer exist, as applicable.

Termination of the Merger Agreement

Novell and Attachmate may agree to terminate the Merger Agreement at any time prior to the effective time of the merger, even after our stockholders have adopted the Merger Agreement at the special meeting.

In addition, we, on the one hand, and Attachmate, on the other hand, each have separate rights to terminate the Merger Agreement without the agreement of the other party if:

 

   

the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments), except that this termination right will not be available to any party whose breach of the Merger Agreement has been the cause of or resulted in the failure of the merger to occur on or prior to such date; or

 

   

any governmental entity of competent jurisdiction has enacted or issued any final and non-appealable law or order or taken any other final and non-appealable action enjoining or otherwise prohibiting consummation of the merger, except that this termination right will not be available to any party who has not used their reasonable best efforts to consummate the merger; or

 

   

our stockholders do not vote to adopt the Merger Agreement at the special meeting.

Attachmate may also terminate the Merger Agreement if:

 

   

we breach any of our covenants or agreements or any of our representations or warranties fail to be true and accurate, such that a condition obligating Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger would not be satisfied and such breach or failure is not capable of being cured or is not timely cured, except that Attachmate may not terminate on this basis if Attachmate has not, in all material respects, performed or complied with all covenants required to be performed or complied with by it under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the effective time of the merger; or

 

   

(A) our board of directors or any board committee (i) withdraws or modifies, or publicly proposes to withdraw or modify, its recommendation of the merger to our stockholders in a manner adverse to Attachmate; (ii) approves, adopts or recommends, or publicly proposes to approve, adopt or recommend, an “acquisition proposal;” (iii) fails to recommend against acceptance of a tender or exchange offer for our outstanding common stock within ten business days after the commencement of such tender or exchange offer; or (iv) recommends that our stockholders reject adoption of the Merger

 

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Agreement or the merger; or (B) we have materially breached our obligations with respect to the convening of the special meeting or the preparation of this proxy statement; or

 

   

we have willfully breached our obligations with respect to an “acquisition proposal.”

Additionally, we may terminate the Merger Agreement if:

 

   

Attachmate breaches any of its covenants or agreements or any of its representations or warranties fail to be true and accurate, such that a condition obligating us to consummate the merger would not be satisfied and such breach or failure is not capable of being cured or is not timely cured, except that we may not terminate on this basis if we are then in breach of any of our representations or warranties that would result in any of our representations or warranties failing to be true and accurate (except with respect to certain of our representations and warranties for which the failure to be true and accurate would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a “Company Material Adverse Effect”); or

 

   

we enter into a definitive acquisition agreement with respect to a “superior proposal” prior to our stockholders voting to adopt the Merger Agreement, provided that we comply with our obligations with respect to “acquisition proposals” and pay Attachmate the termination fee described below; or

 

   

(i) on the date of termination (A) all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition, and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived (for additional information regarding the patent sale, see “The Merger – The Patent Sale” beginning on page 59); (B) to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (x) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring; (y) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale; and (z) we have no knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied; (C) Attachmate’s marketing period has expired; and (D) January 23, 2011 has passed; (ii) we have irrevocably confirmed that all of the conditions to our obligation to consummate the merger have been satisfied or waived; and (iii) the merger is not consummated on the scheduled closing date.

Fees and Expenses

All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the Merger Agreement and the consummation of the merger generally will be paid by the party incurring such costs and expenses, whether or not the merger is consummated.

Termination Fee Payable by Novell. We must pay Attachmate a termination fee of $60 million, in cash, net of any fees and expenses paid or payable by Novell on behalf of Attachmate in connection with the merger, if:

 

   

we terminate the Merger Agreement in order to enter into a definitive acquisition agreement with respect to a “superior proposal” prior to our stockholders voting to adopt the Merger Agreement, provided that we comply with our obligations with respect to “acquisition proposals;” or

 

   

Attachmate terminates the Merger Agreement because (A) our board of directors or any board committee (i) withdraws or modifies, or publicly proposes to withdraw or modify, its recommendation of the merger to our stockholders in a manner adverse to Attachmate; (ii) approves, adopts or recommends, or publicly proposes to approve, adopt or recommend, an “acquisition proposal;” (iii) fails to recommend against acceptance of a tender or exchange offer for our outstanding common

 

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stock within ten business days after the commencement of such tender or exchange offer; or (iv) recommends that our stockholders reject adoption of the Merger Agreement or the merger; or (B) we have materially breached our obligations with respect to the convening of the special meeting or the preparation of this proxy statement; or

 

   

either we or Attachmate terminate the Merger Agreement because our stockholders have not voted to adopt the Merger Agreement and after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to such termination, there has been publicly disclosed for the first time and not withdrawn prior to the special meeting an “acquisition proposal” and at any time on or prior to the 12 month anniversary of such termination, we enter into a definitive agreement with respect to any “acquisition proposal” or the transactions contemplated by any “acquisition proposal” are consummated; or

 

   

we terminate the Merger Agreement because the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments) and after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to such termination, there has been publicly disclosed for the first time prior to such termination an “acquisition proposal” and at any time on or prior to the 12 month anniversary of such termination we enter into a definitive agreement with respect to any “acquisition proposal” or the transactions contemplated by any “acquisition proposal” are consummated; or

 

   

we terminate the Merger Agreement because the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments) and after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to such termination, there has been no public disclosure of an “acquisition proposal” and there is made known to our board of directors a “qualifying proposal” and at any time on or prior to the 12 month anniversary of such termination we enter into a definitive agreement with respect to any “qualifying proposal” or the transactions contemplated by any “qualifying proposal” are consummated; or

 

   

Attachmate terminates the Merger Agreement because the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments) and after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to such termination, there has been publicly disclosed for the first time, or made known to our board of directors, a “qualifying proposal” and at any time on or prior to the 12 month anniversary of such termination we enter into a definitive agreement with respect to any “qualifying proposal” or the transactions contemplated by any “qualifying proposal” are consummated; or

 

   

Attachmate terminates the Merger Agreement because we have willfully breached our obligations with respect to an “acquisition proposal” and the breach results from discussions or communications initiated by us or any of our officers, employees or other authorized representatives with the intent of receiving an “acquisition proposal.”

The Merger Agreement provides that a “qualifying proposal” is a bona fide proposal or offer constituting an “acquisition proposal” that, if consummated, would result in the person making such proposal or offer acquiring, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of our equity securities or more than 50% of our assets, in which the aggregate consideration offered to our stockholders exceeds the aggregate merger consideration in the merger.

However, unless we are otherwise obligated to pay the $60 million termination fee described above at the time of termination, we must reimburse Attachmate for all of the reasonable out-of-pocket fees and expenses incurred by it or its affiliates in connection with the merger, with such reimbursement not to exceed an aggregate of $15 million if:

 

   

we or Attachmate terminate the Merger Agreement because our stockholders have not voted to adopt the Merger Agreement; or

 

   

Attachmate terminates the Merger Agreement because we breach any of our covenants or agreements or any of our representations or warranties fail to be true and accurate, such that a condition obligating

 

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Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger would not be satisfied and such breach or failure is not capable of being cured or is not timely cured, except that Attachmate may not terminate on this basis if Attachmate has not, in all material respects, performed or complied with all covenants required to be performed or complied with by it under the Merger Agreement at or prior to the effective time of the merger; or

 

   

we or Attachmate terminate the Merger Agreement because the merger has not been consummated on or before April 20, 2011 (or such later date as provided for by the terms of the Merger Agreement in connection with the extension of financing commitments), all of the shared conditions to the obligations of us, Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger have been satisfied or waived, the closing of the patent sale has not occurred and nothing has occurred and no condition exists that would cause any of our obligations to consummate the merger to fail to be satisfied.

Our reimbursement of Attachmate’s expenses does not relieve us of any subsequent obligation to pay the $60 million termination fee (net of such expenses).

 

   

Termination Fee Payable by Attachmate. Attachmate must pay us a termination fee of $120 million if we terminate the Merger Agreement because: Attachmate breaches any of its covenants or agreements or any of its representations or warranties fail to be true and accurate, such that a condition obligating us to consummate the merger would not be satisfied and such breach or failure is not capable of being cured or is not timely cured and either (i) such breach was willful or (ii) on the date of termination, (A) all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition, and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived; (B) to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (x) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring; (y) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale; and (z) we have no knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied; (C) Attachmate’s marketing period has expired; and (D) January 23, 2011 has passed; or

 

   

(i) on the date of termination (A) all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition, and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived; (B) to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (x) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring; (y) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale; and (z) we have no knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied; (C) Attachmate’s marketing period has expired; and (D) January 23, 2011 has passed; and (ii) we have irrevocably confirmed that all of the conditions to our obligation to consummate the merger have been satisfied or waived; and (iii) the merger is not consummated on the scheduled closing date; provided that Attachmate is not required to pay the termination fee if the closing of the patent sale has not occurred and we fail to provide Attachmate with written confirmation from CPTN that on the closing date CPTN had sufficient funds to pay the $450 million purchase price.

We have agreed that, other than certain rights to reimbursement and indemnification, our receipt of the $120 million termination fee will be our sole and exclusive remedy upon termination of the Merger Agreement or the

 

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commitment letters. For additional information regarding remedies under the Merger Agreement, see “The Merger Agreement – Remedies” beginning on page 92.

Attachmate’s payment of the $120 million termination fee to Novell and any interest on such amount, together with reasonable legal fees and expenses, incurred in connection with any litigation commenced by Novell regarding such termination fee has been guaranteed pursuant to the limited guarantees made by Francisco Partners and Francisco Partners Fund A, L.P., Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund, L.P. and Golden Gate Capital Opportunity Fund-A, L.P., Thoma Cressey Fund VII, L.P., Thoma Cressey Friends Fund VII, L.P. and Thoma Bravo Fund IX, L.P., and the Elliott Parties, in favor of Novell.

Remedies

Prior to any valid termination of the Merger Agreement, each party has certain rights to specific performance. Attachmate and Merger Sub may seek and obtain injunctions to prevent breaches, and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions, of the Merger Agreement. Other than with respect to reimbursement and indemnification rights in connection with our cooperation with Attachmate’s financing or our obligations to repatriate cash, our sole and exclusive remedies are to receive payment of a termination fee, where applicable, or if not applicable, seek and obtain

(i) injunctions to prevent breaches, and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions, of Attachmate’s financing obligations provided that:

 

   

all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition (as defined below), and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived; and

 

   

to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (A) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring, (B) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale and (C) we have no knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied; and

(ii) injunctions, specific performance or other equitable relief to cause Attachmate to seek enforcement of the equity commitment letters and to cause the merger to be consummated provided that:

 

   

all of the conditions to the obligations of Attachmate and Merger Sub to consummate the merger, other than the consummation of the patent sale and other than any condition that has not been satisfied primarily as a result of actions taken or not taken by Attachmate in breach of its obligations under the Merger Agreement where such breach would result in a failure of the Attachmate Covenant Condition, and the antitrust condition of the Patent Purchase Agreement have been and continue to be satisfied or waived;

 

   

to the extent the consummation of the patent sale has not been waived, (A) nothing has occurred and no condition exists that could reasonably be expected to result in the closing of the patent sale not occurring, (B) we have no good faith reason to believe, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, that CPTN does not intend to close the patent sale and (C) we have no knowledge, after due inquiry to Microsoft, as a representative of CPTN, of CPTN’s intent or threat to claim that one of the conditions to the closing of the patent sale has not been or will not be satisfied;

 

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Attachmate’s marketing period has expired;

 

   

January 23, 2011 has passed;

 

   

the debt financing has been funded or will be funded at the closing upon drawdown notice by Attachmate if the equity financing is funded at the closing of the merger; and

 

   

we have irrevocably confirmed in a written notice delivered to Attachmate that, if the equity financing and debt financing are funded, the conditions to our obligations to consummate the merger are waived (which waiver may be conditioned on the closing).

Any party seeking an injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the Merger Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions of the Merger Agreement will not be required to post a bond or undertaking.

Further Actions and Agreements

Company Stockholders’ Meeting. We have agreed to call and hold a stockholders’ meeting as promptly as reasonably practicable after the SEC’s review of this proxy statement for the purpose of obtaining stockholder approval of the Merger Agreement. We have agreed to use reasonable best efforts to ensure that all proxies solicited in connection with the special meeting are solicited in compliance with applicable law. Our obligations to call and hold a stockholders’ meeting and solicit proxies in compliance with applicable law will not be affected by the commencement, public proposal or communication to us of an “acquisition proposal” or by the withdrawal or modification of the recommendation of our board of directors concerning the adoption of the Merger Agreement by our stockholders.

Access to Information. Until the earlier of the effective time of the merger and the date of the Merger Agreement’s termination, we have agreed to afford Attachmate’s officers, employees, counsel, investment bankers, accountants and other authorized representatives reasonable access, in a manner not disruptive to the operations or our or our subsidiaries’ business, during normal business hours and upon reasonable notice, to our and our subsidiaries’ personnel, properties, offices, facilities, books and records and to furnish promptly all information concerning our and our subsidiaries’ businesses, properties and personnel as may reasonably be requested provided that neither we nor our subsidiaries need to disclose any such information if such disclosure would, in our reasonable judgment, cause significant competitive harm to us or our subsidiaries if the merger was not consummated, violate applicable law or request or requirement of any governmental entity or the provisions of any agreement to which we or our subsidiaries are a party or jeopardize any attorney-client or other legal privilege. Neither Attachmate nor its representatives are authorized to undertake any further environmental investigations or sampling at any of properties owned, operated or leased by us or our subsidiaries. Attachmate has agreed not to use any information provided by us for any competitive or other purpose unrelated to the merger, and no access granted or information provided by us will affect, qualify, modify or limit any representations or warranties made by us under the Merger Agreement.

Directors’ and Officers’ Indemnification and Insurance. The rights of each present and former director and officer of Novell or any of its subsidiaries and of each individual who is serving or has served at Novell’s request as a director, officer or trustee of another entity to indemnification, advancement of expenses and exculpation from liabilities for acts or omissions occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger, as provided in Novell’s or its subsidiaries’ respective organizational documents or in any indemnification or other agreements, will be assumed by the surviving corporation and will continue in full force and effect without any amendment, repeal or modification in any manner that would adversely affect the rights of the indemnified parties under such agreements, unless such modification is required by applicable law.

The surviving corporation has an obligation to maintain in effect our existing directors’ and officers’ insurance and fiduciary liability policies that provide coverage for events existing at or occurring prior to the effective time of the merger for a period of not less than six years following the effective time, provided that the annual premium for such policies does not exceed 200% of the aggregate annual premiums paid by us for such

 

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insurance in 2010. If, during such six-year period, such insurance exceeds such maximum premium, the surviving corporation will obtain as much directors’ and officers’ liability insurance as can be obtained for such amount. We have the right to purchase, prior to the effective time of the merger, fully prepaid “tail” insurance coverage that provides coverage identical in all material respects to the coverage we currently maintain for matters occurring at or prior to the effective time of the merger, provided that the premium for such coverage does not exceed 200% of the aggregate annual premiums paid by us for such insurance in 2010.

Further Action, Consents and Filings. Except with respect to antitrust matters and this proxy statement, the Merger Agreement obligates Attachmate and us to use reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions and do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with the other parties in doing, all things necessary, proper or advisable to consummate and make effective the merger as promptly as practicable, including (i) obtaining from any governmental entity and third parties any consents, licenses, permits, waivers, approvals, authorizations or orders, making any filings and sending any notices which are material and required to be obtained, made or sent by Attachmate or us in connection with the consummation of the merger; (ii) executing or delivering any additional instruments necessary to consummate the merger; (iii) preparing and filing all forms, registrations and notices required to be filed to consummate the merger; and (iv) providing notices to or consulting with any employee representative body.

Public Announcements. We and Attachmate have agreed not to issue any press release or make any public announcement with respect to the Merger Agreement or the merger without the prior written agreement of the other party, except as required by applicable law or by any stock exchange rule, in which case the party proposing to issue such press release or make such public announcement will use commercially reasonable efforts to consult in good faith with the other party before making any such public announcements.

Employee Benefits

For a period of at least six months after the effective time of the merger, Attachmate will (or will cause the surviving corporation or cause its subsidiaries to) provide each employee of Novell or its subsidiaries for so long as such employee remains employed during such period by Attachmate, the surviving corporation or any of their subsidiaries with compensation and benefits, except for equity based compensation, which, taken as a whole, have a value substantially comparable in the aggregate to the compensation and benefits provided by Novell and its subsidiaries as of the date of the Merger Agreement. As of the effective time of the merger, Attachmate will also honor and assume (or cause to be honored or assumed), in accordance with their terms, all employment, employment termination or severance agreements, plans or arrangements, including any change-in-control and general severance and retention plans, existing immediately prior to the effective time that cover or are between Novell or any of its subsidiaries and any current or former executive officer, director or employee. For a period of six months after the closing of the merger, Attachmate will not, and will cause the surviving corporation not to, terminate any severance plans of Novell and its subsidiaries or amend such severance plans in any manner adverse to the participants. With respect to each benefit plan, program, practice, policy or arrangement maintained by Attachmate or its subsidiaries following the effective time and in which any of the employees participate, and except to the extent necessary to avoid duplication of benefits, for purposes of determining eligibility, nonforfeitable rights, and benefit accrual regarding paid time off and severance plans, Attachmate has also agreed to provide our employees with full credit for prior service with us (or predecessor employers to the extent that we provide past service credit). In addition, unless paid by us prior to the effective time of the merger, Attachmate will cause the surviving corporation and its affiliates to pay to the employees participating in Novell’s 2010 fiscal year annual bonus plan or program earned annual bonuses for the 2010 fiscal year (as determined in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan or program), provided that the aggregate amount of such payments (including amounts paid after the date of the Merger Agreement and prior to the effective time of the merger) may not exceed $42 million.

Amendment and Waiver

Amendment. The Merger Agreement may be amended, modified and supplemented before or after our stockholders consider and vote upon the adoption of the Merger Agreement by written agreement of the parties. However, any amendments to the provisions regarding the termination fee payable by Attachmate, amendments,

 

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third-party beneficiaries, jurisdiction, remedies and waivers, which is, individually or in the aggregate, affects the rights or obligations of any of the lenders providing a commitment in Attachmate’s debt commitment letter will only be effective with respect to such lenders with their consent or if their consent is not required under the debt commitment letter. In addition, after the adoption of the Merger Agreement by our stockholders, no amendment, modification or supplement may reduce or change the merger consideration or adversely affect the rights of our stockholders without the approval of such stockholders.

Waiver. Any failure of any of the parties to comply with any obligation, covenant, agreement or condition of the Merger Agreement may be waived by the party or parties entitled to benefits of such obligation, covenant, agreement or condition by a written instrument signed by the party granting the waiver. However, any waivers of the provisions regarding amendments, third-party beneficiaries, jurisdiction, remedies and waivers, which is, individually or in the aggregate, materially adverse to any of the lenders providing a commitment in Attachmate’s debt commitment letter will only be effective with respect to such lenders with their consent or if their consent is not required under the debt commitment letter.

Our board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement.

APPRAISAL RIGHTS

If you do not vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement at the special meeting and otherwise comply with the applicable statutory procedures of Section 262 of the DGCL, summarized herein, you may be entitled to appraisal rights under Section 262 of the DGCL. In order to exercise and perfect appraisal rights, a record holder of our common stock must follow the steps summarized below properly and in a timely manner.

Section 262 of the DGCL is reprinted in its entirety as Annex D to this proxy statement. Set forth below is a summary description of Section 262 of the DGCL. The following summary describes the material aspects of Section 262 of the DGCL and the law relating to appraisal rights and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Annex D. All references in Section 262 and this summary to “stockholder” are to the record holder of the shares of our common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the merger as to which appraisal rights are asserted. Failure to comply strictly with the procedures set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL will result in the loss of appraisal rights.

Under the DGCL, holders of our common stock who follow the procedures set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL will be entitled to have their shares appraised by the Delaware Court of Chancery, and to receive payment in cash of the “fair value” of those shares, exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger.

Under Section 262 of the DGCL, where a merger agreement relating to a proposed merger is to be submitted for adoption at a meeting of stockholders, as in the case of the special meeting, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to such meeting, must notify each of its stockholders who was a stockholder on the record date with respect to such shares for which appraisal rights are available that appraisal rights are available and must include in each such notice a copy of Section 262 of the DGCL. This proxy statement constitutes such notice to the holders of our common stock, and Section 262 of the DGCL is attached to this proxy statement as Annex D. Any stockholder who wishes to exercise such appraisal rights or who wishes to preserve his right to do so should review the following discussion and Annex D carefully because failure to timely and properly comply with the procedures specified will result in the loss of appraisal rights under the DGCL.

If you wish to exercise appraisal rights you must not vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement and must deliver to Novell, before the vote on the proposal to adopt the Merger Agreement, a written demand for appraisal of such stockholder’s shares of our common stock. Properly executed proxies that do not contain voting instructions will be voted “FOR” the adoption of the Merger Agreement. Accordingly, if you desire to exercise

 

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and perfect appraisal rights with respect to any of your shares of common stock, you must either (i) refrain from executing and returning the enclosed proxy card, refrain from voting in person or refrain from submitting a proxy by telephone or through the Internet in favor of the adoption of the Merger Agreement or (ii) check either the “against” or the “abstain” box next to the proposal on such card and return such card, vote “against” the proposal in person (or register in person your abstention thereto) or vote “against” the proposal by submitting a proxy by telephone or through the Internet (or register your abstention thereto by submitting a proxy by telephone or through the Internet). A vote or proxy against the adoption of the Merger Agreement will not, in and of itself, constitute a demand for appraisal.

A demand for appraisal will be sufficient if it reasonably informs Novell of the identity of the stockholder and that such stockholder intends thereby to demand appraisal of such stockholder’s shares of common stock. This written demand for appraisal must be separate from any proxy or vote against the adoption of the Merger Agreement or any abstention thereto. If you wish to exercise your appraisal rights you must be the record holder of such shares of our common stock on the date the written demand for appraisal is made and you must continue to hold such shares through the effective time of the merger. Accordingly, a stockholder who is the record holder of shares of common stock on the date the written demand for appraisal is made, but who thereafter transfers such shares prior to the effective time of the merger, will lose any right to appraisal in respect of such shares.

Only a holder of record of shares of our common stock is entitled to demand appraisal rights for such shares of our common stock registered in that holder’s name. A demand for appraisal should be executed by or on behalf of the holder of record, fully and correctly, as the holder’s name appears on the stock certificates and must state that such person intends thereby to demand appraisal of his, her or its shares. If the shares are owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, execution of the demand for appraisal should be made in that capacity, and if the shares are owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or on behalf of all joint owners. An authorized agent, including one for two or more joint owners, may execute the demand for appraisal on behalf of a holder of record; however, the agent must identify the record owner or owners and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, he or she is acting as agent for such owner or owners.

A record holder such as a broker who holds shares as nominee for several beneficial owners may demand appraisal rights with respect to the shares of our common stock held for one or more beneficial owners while not demanding such rights with respect to the shares held for other beneficial owners; in such case, the written demand should set forth the number of shares as to which appraisal is sought. Where the number of shares of our common stock is not expressly stated, the demand will be presumed to cover all shares held in the name of the record owner. If you hold your shares in brokerage accounts or other nominee forms and wish to exercise your appraisal rights, you are urged to consult with your broker to determine the appropriate procedures for the making of a demand for appraisal.

All written demands for appraisal of shares must be mailed or delivered to: Novell, Inc., 404 Wyman Street, Suite 500, Waltham, MA 02451, Attention: Secretary, or should be delivered to the Secretary at the special meeting, prior to the vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement.

Within ten days after the effective time of the merger, we, as the surviving corporation, will notify each stockholder who has properly demanded appraisal rights under Section 262 and has not voted for the adoption of the Merger Agreement of the time that the merger became effective. Within 120 days after the effective time of the merger, but not thereafter, we or any stockholder who has complied with the statutory requirements summarized above and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights may commence an appraisal proceeding by filing a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the shares of common stock held by all such stockholders. We are not under any obligation, and we have no present intention, to file a petition with respect to appraisal of the value of the shares. Accordingly, if you wish to exercise your appraisal rights, you should regard it as your obligation to take all steps necessary to perfect your appraisal rights in the manner prescribed in Section 262 of the DGCL.

 

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Within 120 days after the effective time of the merger, any stockholder who has complied with the provisions of Section 262 of the DGCL will be entitled, upon written request, to receive from us a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares of our common stock not voted in favor of adoption of the Merger Agreement and with respect to which demands for appraisal were received by us and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written statement must be mailed within ten days after the written request therefor has been received by us or within ten days after expiration of the period for delivery of appraisal demands, whichever is later. A person who is the beneficial owner of shares of such stock held either in a voting trust or by a nominee on behalf of such person may, in such person’s own name, file a petition or request from us the statement described in this paragraph.

If a petition for an appraisal is timely filed and a copy thereof served upon us, we will then be obligated, within 20 days, to file with the Delaware Register in Chancery a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all of the stockholders who have demanded appraisal of their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by us. After notice to the stockholders as required by the Delaware Court of Chancery, the Delaware Court of Chancery is empowered to conduct a hearing on such petition to determine those stockholders who have complied with Section 262 and who have become entitled to appraisal rights thereunder. The Delaware Court of Chancery may require the stockholders who demanded appraisal rights of our shares of common stock and who hold stock certificates for such shares to submit their stock certificates to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Delaware Court of Chancery may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder.

After the Delaware Court of Chancery determines which stockholders are entitled to appraisal, the appraisal proceeding will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the Delaware Court of Chancery, including any rules specifically governing appraisal proceedings. Through such proceeding the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine the fair value of the shares exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger, together with interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the Delaware Court of Chancery will take into account all relevant factors.

In Weinberger v. UOP, Inc., the Supreme Court of Delaware discussed the factors that could be considered in determining fair value in an appraisal proceeding, stating that “proof of value by any techniques or methods which are generally considered acceptable in the financial community and otherwise admissible in court” should be considered, and that “[f]air price obviously requires consideration of all relevant factors involving the value of a company.” The Supreme Court of Delaware stated that, in making this determination of fair value, the court must consider “market value, asset value, dividends, earning prospects, the nature of the enterprise and any other facts which were known or which could be ascertained as of the date of merger and which throw any light on future prospects of the merged corporation.” Section 262 provides that fair value is to be “exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger.” In Cede & Co. v. Technicolor, Inc., the Supreme Court of Delaware stated that such exclusion is a “narrow exclusion [that] does not encompass known elements of value,” but which rather applies only to the speculative elements of value arising from such accomplishment or expectation. In Weinberger, the Supreme Court of Delaware also stated that “elements of future value, including the nature of the enterprise, which are known or susceptible of proof as of the date of the merger and not the product of speculation, may be considered.” If you are considering seeking appraisal, you should be aware that the fair value of your shares as determined under Section 262 of the DGCL could be more than, the same as or less than the consideration you are entitled to receive pursuant to the Merger Agreement if you did not seek appraisal of your shares and that investment banking opinions as to the fairness from a financial point of view of the consideration payable in a merger are not necessarily opinions as to fair value under Section 262 of the DGCL.

Unless the Delaware Court of Chancery in its discretion determines otherwise for good cause shown, interest from the effective time of the merger through the date of payment of the judgment will be compounded quarterly and will accrue at 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate (including any surcharge) as established from time to time during the period between the effective time of the merger and the date of payment of the judgment.

 

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The Delaware Court of Chancery will direct the payment by us of the fair value of the shares of our common stock, together with interest, if any, to the stockholders who have perfected appraisal rights. The costs of the proceeding (which do not include attorneys’ or expert fees or expenses) may be determined by the Delaware Court of Chancery and taxed upon the parties as the Delaware Court of Chancery deems equitable. Upon application by a stockholder, the Delaware Court of Chancery may also order that all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with an appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorneys’ fees and the fees and expenses of experts utilized in the appraisal proceeding, be charged pro rata against the value of all of the shares entitled to appraisal.

Any stockholder who has duly demanded and perfected an appraisal in compliance with Section 262 of the DGCL will not, from and after the effective time of the merger, be entitled to vote his or her shares for any purpose or be entitled to the payment of dividends or other distributions thereon, except dividends or other distributions payable to holders of record of shares of our common stock as of a date prior to the effective time of the merger.

At any time within 60 days after the effective time of the merger, any stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party will have the right to withdraw his or her demand for appraisal and to accept the cash payment for his or her shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement. After this period, a stockholder may withdraw his or her demand for appraisal only with our written consent. If no petition for appraisal is filed with the Delaware Court of Chancery within 120 days after the effective time of the merger, a stockholder’s right to appraisal will cease and he or she will be entitled to receive the cash payment for his or her shares pursuant to the Merger Agreement, as if he or she had not demanded appraisal of his or her shares. No petition timely filed in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding appraisal will be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Delaware Court of Chancery, and such approval may be conditioned on such terms as the Delaware Court of Chancery deems just; provided, however, that any stockholder who has not commenced an appraisal proceeding or joined that proceeding as a named party may withdraw his, her or its demand for appraisal and accept the merger consideration offered pursuant to the Merger Agreement within 60 days after the effective date of the merger.

If you properly demand appraisal of your shares of our common stock under Section 262 and you fail to perfect, or effectively withdraw or lose, your right to appraisal, as provided in the DGCL, your shares will be converted into the right to receive the consideration receivable with respect to such shares in accordance with the Merger Agreement. You will fail to perfect, or effectively lose or withdraw, your right to appraisal if, among other things, no petition for appraisal is filed within 120 days after the effective time of the merger, or if you deliver to us a written withdrawal of your demand for appraisal. Any such attempt to withdraw an appraisal demand more than 60 days after the effective time of the merger will require our written approval.

If you desire to exercise your appraisal rights, you must not vote for the adoption of the Merger Agreement and must strictly comply with the procedures set forth in Section 262 of the DGCL.

Failure to take any required step in connection with the exercise of appraisal rights will result in the termination or waiver of such rights.

 

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MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDEND DATA

Our common stock is listed and trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “NOVL.” This table shows, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported on the NASDAQ Select Global Market.

 

     First
Quarter
     Second
Quarter
     Third
Quarter
     Fourth
Quarter
 

Fiscal year ending October 31, 2010

           

High

   $ 4.84       $ 6.15       $ 6.36       $ 6.53   

Low

   $ 3.84       $ 4.43       $ 5.06       $ 5.50   

Fiscal year ending October 31, 2009

           

High

   $ 4.86       $ 4.54       $ 4.98       $ 4.85   

Low

   $ 3.43       $ 2.97       $ 3.70       $ 4.06   

Fiscal year ending October 31, 2008

           

High

   $ 7.59       $ 7.59       $ 7.10       $ 6.62   

Low

   $ 5.96       $ 5.29       $ 5.34       $ 3.80   

The closing sale price of our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on November 19, 2010, which was the last trading day before the announcement of the merger, was $5.59. On [                    ] which is the latest practicable trading day before this proxy statement was printed, the closing price for our common stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market was $[            ]. You are encouraged to obtain current market quotations for our common stock in connection with voting your shares of common stock. We had [            ] stockholders of record at the close of business on [                    ] the record date for the special meeting.

As of the effective time of the merger, all shares of our common stock will no longer be outstanding and will automatically be cancelled and will cease to exist, and each holder of shares of our common stock immediately prior to the effective time of the merger will cease to have any rights as a stockholder, except the right to receive $6.10 per share in cash, without interest and less any applicable withholding taxes (other than stockholders who have perfected their appraisal rights). If the merger is completed, we will continue as the surviving corporation of the merger and a wholly owned subsidiary of Attachmate. As a result, there will be no further market for our common stock, and our common stock will be delisted from and will no longer be traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and will be deregistered under the Exchange Act.

No dividends have been declared on our common stock. We have no current plans to pay dividends on our common stock, and the Merger Agreement prohibits us from making any such dividends. In the event that the merger is not completed, we expect to retain our earnings for use in our business.

 

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SHARE OWNERSHIP BY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT

This table shows, as of November 21, 2010 (unless otherwise indicated), how many shares of our common stock (the only voting class of Novell capital stock outstanding) are beneficially owned by: (i) each stockholder who has reported or is known by us to have beneficial ownership of more than five percent of our common stock; (ii) each current director; (iii) each of the executive officers identified as a “Named Executive Officers” in our proxy statement for our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders; and (iv) all of our current directors and executive officers as a group. There were 351,577,189 shares of common stock outstanding on November 21, 2010.

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1)

  Number of
Outstanding
Shares
Owned(2)
    Right to
Acquire(3)
    Total Shares
Beneficially
Owned
    Percent of
Outstanding
Shares
 

Philip B. Korsant(4)

    30,453,641        —          30,453,641        8.66

283 Greenwich Avenue

Greenwich, CT 06830

       

Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.(5)

    25,652,200        —          25,652,200        7.30

227 West Monroe Street, Suite 3000

Chicago, IL 60606

       

Elliott Associates, L.P.(6)

    24,700,000        —          24,700,000        7.03

712 Fifth Avenue, 36th Floor

New York, NY 10019

       

The Vanguard Group, Inc.(7)

    17,964,294        —          17,964,294        5.11

100 Vanguard Blvd.

Malvern, PA 19355

       

Albert Aiello

    59,952        212,573        272,525        *   

Fred Corrado

    41,952        212,573        254,525        *   

Richard L. Crandall

    50,052        162,573        212,625        *   

Gary G. Greenfield

    25,952        37,573        63,525        *   

Judith H. Hamilton

    11,182        37,573        48,755        *   

Ronald W. Hovsepian

    841,627        2,495,739        3,337,366        *   

Patrick S. Jones

    13,182        100,073        113,255        *   

Richard L. Nolan

    35,952        262,573        298,525        *   

Dr. John W. Poduska, Sr.

    157,575        284,521        442,096        *   

John K. Dragoon

    186,462        435,996        622,458        *   

Dr. Jeffrey M. Jaffe(8)

    59,239        —          59,239        *   

Colleen A. O’Keefe

    143,522        342,658        486,180        *   

Dana C. Russell

    193,768        517,725        711,493        *   

All current directors and executive officers as a group (17 persons)

    2,174,581 (9)      6,276,530        8,451,111        2.36

 

* less than 1%
(1) Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each person named in the table is: c/o Novell, Inc., 404 Wyman Street, Waltham, Massachusetts 02451.
(2) The persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as beneficially owned by them except as may be otherwise indicated in a footnote.
(3) Includes shares that can be acquired through stock options that become exercisable or the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock units within 60 days from November 21, 2010. Shares of common stock underlying these stock options and restricted stock units cannot be voted at the special meeting unless the options are exercised or common stock is issued in exchange for restricted stock units prior to the record date for the special meeting.

 

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(4) Pursuant to a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 16, 2010 and disclosing information as of December 31, 2009, Philip B. Korsant reported that he and Morton Holdings, Inc., which also has a principal business address of 283 Greenwich Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830, had shared power to vote and to dispose of all shares, and that Samana Capital, L.P., of the same address, beneficially owned and had shared power to vote and to dispose of 27,470,764 shares. Pursuant to that same Schedule 13G/A,, it was reported that partnerships of which Morton Holdings, Inc. is the general partner, including Samana Capital, L.P., are the owners of record of the common stock reported and that each of Morton Holdings, Inc. and Philip B. Korsant may be deemed to beneficially own such stock as a result of the direct or indirect power to vote or dispose of such stock.
(5) Pursuant to a Schedule 13G/A filed on February 11, 2010 and disclosing information as of December 31, 2009, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. reported that it had sole power to vote 25,152,200 shares and sole power to dispose of all shares. Pursuant to that same Schedule 13G/A, Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P. reported that the shares reported include shares held by Columbia Acorn Trust, a Massachusetts business trust that is advised by Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
(6) Pursuant to a Schedule 13D/A filed on November 26, 2010 and disclosing information as of November 21, 2010, Elliott Associates, L.P. reported that it beneficially owned (through The Liverpool Limited Partnership, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elliott Associates, L.P.) and had sole power to vote and to dispose of 11,894,134 shares. Pursuant to that same Schedule 13D/A, Elliott International, L.P. and Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc. reported that they beneficially owned and had shared power to vote and to dispose of 12,805,866 shares. Additionally, pursuant to that same Schedule 13D/A, Elliott Associates, L.P., Elliott International, L.P. and Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc. reported that they collectively beneficially owned 24,700,000 shares, and Elliott Associates, L.P. (through The Liverpool Limited Partnership) and Elliott International, L.P. reported that they have an economic interest in an additional 0.6% and 0.9% of our common stock, respectively, pursuant to notional principal amount derivative agreements with respect to 2,087,558 and 3,131,338 shares, respectively. For information regarding additional disclosure provided in that Schedule 13D/A, see “The Merger – Attachmate Voting Agreement” beginning on page 62 of this proxy statement. Pursuant to a Schedule 13D filed on February 12, 2010 (which such Schedule 13D was amended and supplemented by the Schedule 13D/A filed on November 26, 2010), the business address of Elliott Associates, L.P. and Elliott International Capital Advisors, Inc. is 712 Fifth Avenue, 36th Floor, New York, NY 10019, and the business address of Elliott International, L.P. is c/o Maples & Calder, P.O. Box 309, Ugland House, South Church Street, George Town, Cayman Islands, British West Indies.
(7) Pursuant to a Schedule 13G filed on February 8, 2010 and disclosing information as of December 31, 2009, The Vanguard Group, Inc. reported that it had sole power to vote 554,166 shares, sole power to dispose of 17,468,728 shares and shared power to dispose of 495,566 shares. Pursuant to that same Schedule 13G, The Vanguard Group, Inc. also reported that Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., is the beneficial owner of 495,566 shares as a result of its serving as investment manager of collective trust accounts, and Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company directs the voting of those shares.
(8) Effective January 31, 2010, Dr. Jaffe ceased to serve as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Jaffe’s address is MIT/CSAIL Building 32-G522, 32 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA 02139.
(9) Includes 134 shares owned by the spouse of an executive officer, of which the executive officer disclaims beneficial ownership.

 

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AUTHORITY TO ADJOURN THE SPECIAL MEETING

(PROPOSAL NO. 2)

We may ask our stockholders to vote on a proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies if there are insufficient votes at the time of the meeting to adopt the Merger Agreement. We currently do not intend to propose that our board of directors have discretionary authority to adjourn the special meeting if there are sufficient votes to adopt the Merger Agreement. If any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting for the purpose of soliciting additional proxies is submitted to our stockholders for approval, such approval requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the matter.

Our board of directors recommends that you vote “FOR” any proposal to authorize our board of directors, in its discretion, to adjourn the special meeting, if necessary, to solicit additional proxies.

OTHER MATTERS

We are not currently aware of any business to be acted upon at the special meeting other than the matters discussed in this proxy statement. Under our by-laws, business transacted at the special meeting is limited to the purposes stated in the notice of the special meeting, which is provided at the beginning of this proxy statement. If other matters do properly come before the special meeting, or at any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting by or at the direction of our board of directors, we intend that shares of Novell common stock represented by properly submitted proxies will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors.

It is important that your shares be represented at the special meeting, regardless of the number of shares which you hold. Therefore, we urge you to complete, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy card as promptly as possible in the postage prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose or to submit a proxy via the Internet or telephone.

HOUSEHOLDING OF PROXY STATEMENT

Applicable rules of the SEC permit companies and brokers, banks or other nominees to deliver a single copy of a proxy statement to households at which two or more beneficial owners reside. This method of delivery, which eliminates duplicate mailings, is known as “householding.” Beneficial owners sharing an address who have been previously notified by their broker, bank or other nominee and have consented to householding, either affirmatively or implicitly by not objecting to householding, will receive only a single copy of this proxy statement, unless that broker, bank or other nominee has received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. We will deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of this proxy statement to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of this proxy statement was delivered. A stockholder who wishes to receive a separate copy of this proxy statement, now or in the future, should submit their request to: Novell, Inc., 404 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA 02451, Attention: Secretary, (781) 464-8000. Beneficial owners sharing an address who are receiving multiple copies of proxy materials and annual reports and wish to receive a single copy of such materials in the future will need to contact their broker, bank or other nominee to request that only a single copy of each document be mailed to all stockholders at the shared address in the future.

FUTURE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

If the merger is completed, there will be no public participation in any future meetings of our stockholders. However, if the merger is not completed, our public stockholders will continue to be entitled to attend and participate in our stockholders’ meetings. If the merger is not completed and any stockholder intends to present a

 

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proposal to be considered for inclusion in our proxy materials in connection with our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the proposal must have been received by our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices (404 Wyman Street Waltham, Massachusetts 02451) no later than October 29, 2010 and otherwise meet the requirements of applicable SEC rules. If the date of our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is changed to a date that is more than 30 days before or after the anniversary of our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, the deadline is a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy materials for our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If the merger is not completed and any stockholder wishes to present a proposal at our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, but does not wish to have the proposal considered for inclusion in our proxy materials, the stockholder must give written notice to our Corporate Secretary, which such notice must have been delivered to or mailed and received at our principal executive offices no later than December 20, 2010 and no earlier than November 20, 2010 in order to be timely and contain all of the information required by our by-laws. If the date of our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is changed to a date that is not within 30 days before or after the anniversary of our 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice of intention to bring business before our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which notice of the date of our 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is mailed or public disclosure of such date is made, whichever occurs first. An untimely proposal will not be permitted to be raised at the meeting.

MISCELLANEOUS

If you have any questions about this proxy statement, the special meeting or the merger or need assistance with voting procedures, you should contact:

Morrow & Co., LLC

Banks and Brokers Please Call Collect: (203) 658-9400

Stockholders Please Call: (800) 276-3011

You should not send in your Novell stock certificates until you receive the transmittal materials from the paying agent. Our record stockholders who have further questions about their stock certificates or the exchange of our common stock for cash should contact the paying agent.

You should rely only on the information contained in this proxy statement to vote on the merger proposal. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this proxy statement. This proxy statement is dated [                    ]. You should not assume that the information contained in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other than that date (or as of an earlier date if so indicated in this proxy statement). Neither the mailing of this proxy statement to stockholders nor the issuance of cash in the merger creates any implication to the contrary. This proxy statement does not constitute a solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction where, or to or from any person to whom, it is unlawful to make a proxy solicitation.

Your vote is important. You may vote by returning the enclosed proxy card, submitting a proxy via the Internet or telephone or attending the special meeting and voting in person. Please call our proxy solicitor, Morrow & Co., LLC, collect at (203) 658-9400 (banks and brokers) or (800) 276-3011 (all others, toll free) if you have any questions about this proxy statement or the merger, or need assistance with the voting procedures.

 

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act, and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You can read our SEC filings, including this proxy statement, through the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facility at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room.

You may obtain any of the documents we file with the SEC, without charge, by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at the following address:

Novell, Inc.

404 Wyman Street

Waltham, MA 02451

Attention: Investor Relations

Telephone: (781) 464-8000

If you would like to request documents from us, please do so by [                    ], 2011, to receive them before the special meeting. If you request any documents from us, we will mail them to you by first class mail, or another equally prompt method, within one business day after we receive your request.

Any person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this proxy statement is delivered may request copies of this proxy statement or other information concerning us, without charge, by written or telephonic request directed to Novell, Inc., 404 Wyman Street, Waltham, MA 02451, Attention: Investor Relations or by telephone at (781) 464-8000, on the Investor Relations page of our website at http://www.novell.com, or from the SEC through the SEC’s website at the address provided above. Documents incorporated by reference are available without charge, excluding any exhibits to those documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference into those documents.

 

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Annex A

EXECUTION VERSION

AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

by and among

ATTACHMATE CORPORATION,

LONGVIEW SOFTWARE ACQUISITION CORP.

and

NOVELL, INC.

NOVEMBER 21, 2010

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page  
ARTICLE I   
DEFINITIONS AND TERMS   

Section 1.1

  

Definitions

     A-2   

Section 1.2

  

Other Definitional Provisions; Interpretation

     A-15   
ARTICLE II   
THE MERGER   
Section 2.1   

The Merger

     A-15   
Section 2.2   

Closing and Effective Time of the Merger

     A-16   
Section 2.3   

Meeting of Stockholders to Approve the Merger; Preparation of the Proxy Statement

     A-16   
ARTICLE III   
CONVERSION OF EQUITY   
Section 3.1   

Conversion of Shares

     A-17   
Section 3.2   

Exchange of Certificates and Book Entry Shares

     A-18   
Section 3.3   

Shares of Dissenting Stockholders

     A-20   
Section 3.4   

Treatment of Stock Options and Other Awards

     A-20   
Section 3.5   

Withholding Tax

     A-22   
ARTICLE IV   
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY   
Section 4.1   

Organization

     A-22   
Section 4.2   

Capitalization

     A-23   
Section 4.3   

Authorization; Validity of Agreement; Company Action

     A-24   
Section 4.4   

Consents and Approvals; No Violations

     A-24   
Section 4.5   

SEC Reports; Disclosure Controls and Procedures

     A-25   
Section 4.6   

No Undisclosed Liabilities

     A-26   
Section 4.7   

Absence of Certain Changes

     A-26   
Section 4.8   

Specified Contracts

     A-26   
Section 4.9   

Employee Benefit Plans; ERISA

     A-28   
Section 4.10   

Litigation

     A-30   
Section 4.11   

Compliance with Law; Permits

     A-30   
Section 4.12   

Intellectual Property

     A-30   
Section 4.13   

Taxes

     A-33   
Section 4.14   

Tangible Assets

     A-33   
Section 4.15   

Environmental

     A-34   
Section 4.16   

Labor Matters

     A-34   
Section 4.17   

Brokers or Finders

     A-36   
Section 4.18   

Vote Required

     A-36   
Section 4.19    Company Board Recommendation      A-36   
Section 4.20    Proxy Statement      A-36   
Section 4.21    Opinion of Financial Advisor      A-36   
Section 4.22    State Takeover Statutes      A-37   
Section 4.23    Related Party Transactions      A-37   
Section 4.24    No Other Representations or Warranties      A-37   

 

A-i


Table of Contents

 

          Page  
ARTICLE V   
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PARENT   
Section 5.1    Organization; Capitalization and Ownership of Merger Sub      A-37   
Section 5.2    Authorization; Validity of Agreement; Parent Action      A-37   
Section 5.3    Consents and Approvals; No Violations      A-38   
Section 5.4    Disclosure Documents      A-38   
Section 5.5    Merger Sub’s Operations      A-38   
Section 5.6    Financing      A-38   
Section 5.7    Share Ownership; No Interested Stockholder      A-39   
Section 5.8    No Other Representations or Warranties      A-39   
Section 5.9    Litigation      A-39   
Section 5.10    Sponsor Guarantees      A-40   
Section 5.11    Brokers or Finders      A-40   
ARTICLE VI   
COVENANTS   
Section 6.1    Interim Operations of the Company      A-40   
Section 6.2    Access to Information      A-43   
Section 6.3    Company Board Recommendation; Acquisition Proposals      A-43   
Section 6.4    Employee Benefits      A-46   
Section 6.5    Publicity      A-47   
Section 6.6    Indemnification and Insurance      A-47   
Section 6.7    Reasonable Best Efforts      A-48   
Section 6.8    Section 16 Matters      A-50   
Section 6.9    Obligations of Merger Sub      A-50   
Section 6.10    Takeover Statutes      A-50   
Section 6.11    Notification of Certain Matters      A-50   
Section 6.12    Stockholder Litigation      A-51   
Section 6.13    No Control of Other Party’s Business      A-51   
Section 6.14    Financing      A-51   
Section 6.15    Cash      A-54   
ARTICLE VII   
CONDITIONS   
Section 7.1    Conditions to Each Party’s Obligation to Effect the Merger      A-55   
Section 7.2    Conditions to Obligations of Parent and Merger Sub      A-55   
Section 7.3    Conditions to Obligation of the Company