Sun snaps up MySQL for US$1 billion

The acquisition will make Sun part owner of the LAMP (Linux Apache MySQL Perl/Python/PHP) open source software stack, widely viewed as the foundation of the Internet.

Already deployed across all major operating systems and countless Web applications including Facebook and Google, MySQL will now be leveraged to drive new adoption of the open source database in more traditional applications and enterprises, said Sun. The acquisition will also position Sun as a firm competitor to Oracle and IBM who dominate deployments of relational database management systems in the enterprise market.

"Supporting our overall growth plan, acquiring MySQL amplifies our investments in the technologies demanded by those driving extreme growth and efficiency, from Internet media titans to the world's largest traditional enterprises," said Jonathan Schwartz, CEO and president, Sun Microsystems.

"MySQL's employees and culture, along with its near ubiquity across the Web, make it an ideal fit with Sun's open approach to network innovation. And most importantly, this announcement boosts our investments into the communities at the heart of innovation on the Internet and of enterprises that rely on technology as a competitive weapon."

MySQL CEO Marten Mickos will join Sun's executive team and MySQL’s 400 staff will be folded into Sun's Software, Sales and Service organisations.

In his MySQL community blog, MySQL vice president for community relations Kaj Arno, said MySQL users should have plenty of reason to feel happy about the acquisition

“There are many companies that attempt to ride the wave of positive attention towards Open Source, but in my judgement, Sun gets it right. Sun gets Open Source,” he said.

“Sun’s track record is embodied by individuals with a solid set of FOSS values, such as Simon Phipps (Sun’s Chief Open Source Officer), Ian Murdock (Debian founder, now Sun’s Chief OS Strategist), and Josh Berkus (PostgreSQL lead). I’ve met all three in various FOSS arenas, I respect their work, and I am looking forward to be working closely with them.”

Sun will pay US$800 million in cash and US$200 million in options. The deal is expected to close by the end of Sun's 2008 fiscal year, which will end June 30.

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