Check Point Obtains Acceptance Level to Initiate Compulsory Redemption of All of the Shares of Protect Data
RAMAT-GAN, Israel, and STOCKHOLM, Sweden, - January 22, 2007 - Check Point® Software Technologies Ltd. (NASDAQ: CHKP), the worldwide leader in securing the Internet, today announced that it has obtained approximately 92.4 percent of the shares of Protect Data AB (publ) (PROT.ST).
Following the completion and extension of its cash tender offer to acquire Protect Data on January 11, 2007, Check Point has acquired an additional 1,241,400 shares, or 5.4 percent, of Protect Data in the market and through acceptance of the extended offer. Check Point has acted through its wholly-owned subsidiary C.P.S.T. Sweden Holdings AB.
Together with shares and warrants previously acquired through the tender offer, Check Point's holding in Protect Data amounts to 21,253,634 shares and 104,700 warrants. On a fully diluted basis, the shares and warrants represent approximately 92.4 percent of the shares and votes of Protect Data.
Today, Monday, January 22, 2007, is the last day to accept Check Point's offer. Settlement of valid acceptances received by the end of today is expected to commence on or about February 1, 2007.
Check Point will continue to buy shares in the market at the offer price of SEK 187 per share, and will initiate a compulsory redemption procedure to acquire the remaining shares and warrants in Protect Data as soon as possible. Check Point will also initiate a delisting of the shares in Protect Data from the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
Forward-looking statements
This press release and related offer documentation may contain forward-looking statements. These statements appear throughout such documentation and are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the expected future business of Protect Data, Check Point and/or Check Point Holdings resulting from and following the Offer. These statements reflect Protect Data's or Check Point Holdings' respective management's current expectations based upon information currently available to them and are subject to various assumptions, as well as risks and uncertainties that may be outside of their control. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including: the parties may not be able to achieve all of the benefits of the transaction within the expected time frames or at all; Check Point may experience unanticipated expenses in connection with the acquisition; Check Point may not be able to successfully integrate Pointsec's operations into those of Check Point and may experience a loss of customers, employees and business disruption; and other factors described in Check Point's Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2005 which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and neither Check Point, Check Point Holdings nor Protect Data undertake any obligation to update or revise any of them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
About Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.
Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. (www.checkpoint.com) is a leader in securing the Internet. It is a market leader in the worldwide enterprise firewall, consumer Internet security and VPN markets. Through its NGX platform, the company delivers a unified security architecture for a broad range of perimeter, internal, Web, and endpoint security solutions that protect business communications and resources for corporate networks and applications, remote employees, branch offices and partner extranets. The company's ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite and additional consumer security solutions are among the highest rated in the industry today, proactively protecting millions of people from hackers, spyware, viruses and identity theft. Extending the power of the Check Point solution is its Open Platform for Security (OPSEC), the industry's framework and alliance for integration and interoperability with "best-of-breed" solutions from hundreds of leading companies. Check Point solutions are sold, integrated and serviced by a network of thousands of Check Point partners around the world and its customers include 100 percent of Fortune 100 companies and tens of thousands of businesses and organizations of all sizes.
About Protect Data AB (publ) and Pointsec Mobile Technologies AB
Pointsec is a worldwide provider of mobile device security – with the most customers deployed, highest level of certification and more complete device coverage than any other company. Pointsec delivers a trusted solution for automatic data encryption that guarantees proven protection at the most vulnerable point where sensitive enterprise data is stored – on mobile devices. By securing sensitive information stored on laptops, PDAs, smartphones, and removable media, enterprises and government organizations can protect and enhance their image, minimize risk, shield confidential data, guard information assets, and strengthen public and shareholder confidence. Pointsec's customers include enterprises and government organizations around the world. The company has operations in 14 countries and is represented through partners on all continents. Pointsec can be found on the web at: www.pointsec.com.
Stockholm headquartered Protect Data AB (publ) (PROT.ST) was founded in 1988, and is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange since 1997. The company has its full business focus on its wholly owned subsidiary, Pointsec Mobile Technologies AB. For more information, please visit Protect Data at: www.pointsec.com.