Sun Buys MySQL for $1 Billion

Sun Microsystems Inc. said Wednesday it’s buying open-source database company MySQL AB for $1 billion – $800 million in cash for MySQL’s stock and the assumption of about $200 million in options.

MySQL CEO Marten Mickos will join Sun's senior executive team once the deal closes in the third or fourth quarter of this year.

Sun said buying MySQL means Sun will have new markets for its systems, virtualization, middleware and storage platforms. Sun’s customer include Facebook, Google Inc. and Nokia.

MySQL will also gain new distribution through Sun's channels including its OEM relationships with Intel, IBM and Dell.

MySQL's open source database is the "M" in LAMP – the software platform comprised of Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP/Perl often viewed as the foundation of the Internet.

Once the acquisition is complete, MySQL will be part of Sun's Software, Sales and Service organizations.

MySQL www.mysql.com.
Sun Microsystems Inc. www.sun.com