SOFTBANK Corp. to Purchase 35% of Trend Micro Inc.; Leading Developer of Virus Protection Software for the Internet and Intranets

Business Wire, Dec 9, 1996

CUPERTINO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 1996--Japan's SOFTBANK Corp., the leading infrastructure provider to the global information technology industry, announced today that it will purchase for an undisclosed amount 35 percent of Trend Micro, Inc., a leading developer of server-based virus protection software. Trend Micro is privately owned.

With a large minority stake in Trend Micro shares, SOFTBANK expands its direct and indirect investment in market-leading Internet and intranet technologies. Trend Micro is a leading developer of software that detects and cleans viruses in electronic mail attachments and other Internet and intranet traffic, such as file downloads.

Trend Micro recently announced technology licensing arrangements with Netscape Communications Corp., Sun Microsystems, Netmanage, Control Data Systems, Wordtalk, among other leading Internet and E-mail technology companies.

"Our investment in Trend Micro demonstrates our commitment to own and influence key parts of the Internet infrastructure," said Masayoshi Son, chairman, president and CEO of SOFTBANK. "The Internet is clearly the future for business communications, and technologies like Trend Micro's ensure that corporations can use it safely."

Either directly or through SOFTBANK Ventures Inc., SOFTBANK is making a series of strategic infrastructure investments in a variety of high-technology and media industries. SOFTBANK's operating company acquisitions include Ziff-Davis Publishing Co.; Kingston Technology Corp.; Phoenix Publishing Systems, Inc.; SOFTBANK Exposition & Conference Co., Inc.; SOFTBANK COMDEX Inc.; SOFTBANK HoldiMicro is pleased to join SOFTBANK's roster of industry-leading Internet technology companies. This is a grechnology and strong revenue stream to its portfolio."

Day-to-day management of Trend Micro will not chaInternet and intranet gateways and e-mail serve rs. Trend Micro's virus protection software supports NetWareand Internet product lines. Trend Technology protects over 12 million users worldwide. Trend maintains the Virus Support Center at http://www.antivirus.com

About SOFTBANK

SOFTBANK Corp. is the world's largest publisher TBANK, whose stock is traded over-the-counter in Tokyo, had revenues of $1.6 billion in the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996. SOFTBANK has approximately 6,500 employees worldwide.

CONTACT: Trend Micro In MERGERS/ACQ REPEATS: New York 212-752-9600 or 800-221-2462; Boston 617-236-4266 or