LONDON — Mobile Linux software specialist Purple Labs SA (Chambery, France) is buying the mobile phone software business of Openwave Systems Inc (Redwood City, Calif.) for up to $32 million.
The French group is paying is paying $30 million in cash, and an extra $2 million if certain conditions are met.
Purple Labs last year raised $14.5 million in Series A funding from Sofinnova Partners, Earlybird Venture Capital and Partners Group.
Openwave will also provide transition services to Purple Labs for up to six months, and will bear the first $2 million of such expenses. Staffing and other details were not disclosed.
Openwave said it would focus on network-based offerings following the deal.
"The Openwave browser and messaging applications have always led the industry, and are today used by every major phone manufacturer in the world," said Simon Wilkinson, Purple Labs CEO. "By acquiring this portfolio and the Openwave client team, Purple Labs becomes a global leader in mobile software, powering both traditional and Linux-based mass-market phones."
EE Times
