To all:
Did anyone see the article in Business Wire on 3/31?
Network Trade Center Inc. announces that Novell uses litigation to silence critics
BusinessWire, Monday, March 31, 1997 at 15:55
SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 1997--Network Trade
Center Inc. announced Monday that after approximately two years of
legal battles with Network Trade Center Inc. ("NTC"), a small mail
order computer dealer, Novell Inc. (NASDAQ:NOVL) has made the fight
personal in an attempt to keep NTC quiet.
According to Timothy Willardson, lawyer for Network Trade Center
Inc., previous litigation has brought to light many Novell
shortcomings, defects in their licensing agreements, and legal
errors. In discovery relating to NTC's lawsuit NTC learned and
informed the public about Novell's licensing snafu of selling
version 3.12 while licensing version 4.x. Not content with the
multi-million dollar litigation already in process between the two
companies, Novell has personally sued Mark Bondiett and the lawyer
for Bondiett and NTC for making press releases about Novell and the
litigation.
Defendants in this new lawsuit share the opinion that it is
merely another attempt by Novell to bully a smaller opponent into
submission and an attempt by Novell to interfere with people learning
about blunders and mismanagement at Novell.
Novell has admitted in its complaint that it is suing because the
press releases and news stories published about the earlier suit
"tend to prejudice or discredit Novell by lowering Novell in the
estimation of the community." Novell has not, however, identified
any particular statements as being false.
Willardson opined the present situation is ironic because
Novell Inc., established the practice of issuing press releases
related to NTC by filing a press release announcing the suit and
insinuating that NTC had committed some unspecified improper actions
within two weeks of filing the original lawsuit. Novell is now
attempting to prevent the press and public from hearing NTC's side of
the story.
Defendants in this latest action have moved to dismiss the
lawsuit as spurious. Truth is a defense to Novell's claims.
According to NTC, nothing contained in NTC's statements have been
shown to be untrue.
CONTACT: Network Trade Center Inc., Salt Lake City
Timothy Willardson, 801/572-8200
What does it mean?
Dieter Koerner |
