Novell and USL to form joint venture for UNIX and Netware

SUMMIT, N.J. -- OCTOBER 15, 1991 -- Novell, Inc., of Provo, Utah, developer of NetWare systems software, and UNIX(R) System Laboratories (USL), Inc., developer of the UNIX System V operating system, today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding last Tuesday (Oct. 8) calling for a joint venture to be formed to develop and market products and services to enhance NetWare and UNIX System V Release 4 interoperability in response to customer demand.

According to the memorandum, the two companies have agreed to make available sales, marketing and distribution resources for the joint venture's products. Novell and USL will fund and staff the new company at a sufficient level to provide for a rapid introduction of its initial products to market.

The two companies are proceeding with negotiation of a definitive agreement and anticipate that the execution of the agreement will be reached within two months of the signing of the memorandum. The agreement is subject to the approval of both companies' Boards of Directors.

UNIX System Laboratories, Inc., headquartered in Summit, N.J., develops and markets the UNIX System V operating system and other Open Systems software, including the TUXEDO Transaction Processing System, Open Networking Platform OSI technology, and the C++ Programming Language System, to the worldwide computer industry.

Novell, Inc., (NASDAQ: NOVL) develops NetWare systems software products that manage and control the sharing of data across a variety of network computing environments, including computer workgroups, departmental networks and business-wide information systems.

Dick Muldoon - UNIX System Laboratories, Inc.
908-522-6274 (office)
201-635-6699 (home)

Susan Lider - Novell, Inc.
408-473-8665 (office)