Sun pays $1 billion for MySQL

Sun has today bought the open source database vendor, MySQL for a total cost of $1 billion (£511 million).

The acquisition adds the $15 billion database market to Sun's targets for growth and puts the final piece of a complete, open source operating system (OS) based software stack for the internet in place.

"Today's acquisition reaffirms Sun's position at the centre of the global web economy," said Jonathan Schwartz, Sun chief executive and president.

MySQL's open source database is the 'M' in LAMP - the software platform comprised of Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP/Perl often seen as key internet components. Sun said it is committed to enhancing and optimising the LAMP stack on GNU/Linux and Microsoft Windows along with OpenSolaris and Apple's MAC OS X.

It will use the database from MySQL, OpenSolaris and the open source application server GlassFish, with its Java platform and NetBeans communities to create a web application platform that will facilitate the shift of applications to the web.

Marten Mickos, MySQL chief executive said Sun and MySQL would make a good cultural and business fit, as both companies shared "the same ideals that we have had since our foundation - software freedom, online innovation and community and partner participation".

With penetration from over 100 million copies of MySQL databases sold and strengths in web 2.0, software as a service (SaaS), enterprise, telecom and the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) embedded markets, Sun will now have the ability to take its open source stack head-to-head with the likes of IBM and Oracle in markets for its systems, virtualisation, middleware and storage platforms.

MySQL will integrate with Sun's Software, Sales and Services organisations and Mickos will join Sun's senior executive team when the deal closes.

Sun will pay approximately $800 million (£406 million) in cash in exchange for all MySQL stock and assume approximately $200 million (£101.5 million) in options. The deal is expected to close in the late third or early fourth quarters of Sun's 2008 fiscal year, subject to regulatory approvals.

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