Commodore Completes Its Planned Acquisition Of Amiga Computer

The Wall Street Journal

October 30, 1984

New York -- Commodore International Ltd. said it completed the acquisition of Amiga Computer Inc., a small Silicon Valley company that has developed an inexpensive personal computer designed to compete with Apple Computer Inc.

Terms of the acquisition weren't disclosed.

Separately, Sigmund Hartmann, president of Commodore's software division, has resigned. Mr. Hartmann said he left to pursue other interests.

However, Commodore sources said that Mr. Hartmann was ousted because he "made ambitious forecasts he wasn't able to meet." In January, Mr. Hartmann said he would eventually increase Commodore's software sales to $500 million a year from 1983 sales of about $65 million.

Commodore had announced its plan to acquire Amiga.

Still uncertain, however, is the impact of a lawsuit filed in August against Amiga by Atari Corp., which was acquired in June from Warner Communications Inc. by Jack Tramiel, former Commodore chairman and founder. Atari charged Amiga with breaking its contract to supply Atari with three semiconductors, and fraudulently negotiating to sell the semiconductors to other companies.

An attorney for Atari said the company still plans to "vigorously pursue" the suit.

Amiga has said the suit was without merit. Commodore officials contended that the Atari suit doesn't prevent Amiga from bringing out its personal computer.

Copyright (c) 1984, Dow Jones & Co., Inc.