Original URL: https://www.theregister.com/2009/10/27/on2_investors_hostility_google_silenced/

On2 investors call off attack dogs against Google takeover

Hostility towards buyout compressed

By Kelly Fiveash

Posted in On-Prem, 27th October 2009 12:57 GMT

On2 Technologies Inc has settled legal challenges mounted by some shareholders who opposed Google's proposed $106.5m acquisition of the video software company.

In August, a number of On2 investors expressed dissatisfaction with the price and terms of the takeover, and some filed separate lawsuits in New York and Delaware against the buyout.

At the time shareholders claimed the deal undervalued On2's regular investors, while benefiting the Clifton Park, New Jersey-based outfit’s execs, board members and staff.

The complainants had sought class-action status and a permanent injunction blocking Google's planned takeover of the company.

On2 confirmed in a statement yesterday that it entered into a "proposed settlement" with plaintiffs in five related lawsuits on Friday.

"Under the MOU [Memorandum of Understanding], the plaintiffs, on behalf of themselves and the putative class of plaintiffs, agreed to settle all the aforementioned litigation and release the named defendants in the actions (including Google, which is not participating in the settlement) and their affiliates from, among other things, claims related to the merger," said On2.

The settlement - financial terms of which were kept secret - is still subject to court approval, however.

Google's acquisition of On2 is expected to complete in the final quarter of this year. ®