Good question. It's an issue I am aware of. Here is an excerpt from DWCH's 10-K for FYE 9/30/96:
"DATAWATCH has a contractual agreement with the independent developer of Monarch which requires that source code be placed into escrow. The principal developer for that product is also bound by contractual commitments which require its continuing involvement in product maintenance and enhancement. Under the agreement, the Company has been granted manufacturing, marketing and sales rights under license agreements which provide for royalty payments based on net revenues and exclusive worldwide rights with a stated term expiring in the year 2009."
The agreement goes out well into the future and so is not an immediate issue. However, the fact remains that DWCH does not own the Monarch source code outright. At some point, they will have to extend their existing agreement, or acquire the code, probably by acquiring Math Strategies for stock. It's a bridge that will have to be crossed sometime, true.
The good news is there is no reason to believe relations between DWCH and Math Strategies is nothing less than excellent. The relationship is a very long one; it began in early 90's/late 80's, even before DWCH was in the picture. The birth of Monarch, Monarch for DOS 1.0, was offered through Personics Corporation, a privately held S/W firm which originally sold Lotus 1-2-3 add-ins. I wonder if anyone remembers @BASE, which gave DOS 1-2-3 some legitimate database capabilities or Ultra Vision (utilized more of your old monochrome screen! Gee whiz! :-) I digress...DWCH acquired Personics, and therefore, Monarch and Personics' relationship with Math Strategies.
Your question would be best directed to Marc Peterson, who is DWCH's VP of Marketing and former CEO of Personics. If you contact him pls let me know your findings.
Regards. |
