Its very important that this be kept confidential.
IBM, and top level Apple execs, are schedualed to complete a series of meetings, at a downtown San Francisco hotel, in the next week of two. There is some control issues to be worked out. Also how many seats on the board, IBM would control. IBM would have a 54% ownership position. (this depends on the stock price at the closing). Apples intent is to raise capital to fund their retail expansion, blow out their R&D effort, roll out new high power marketing, and create a cash reserve attractive enough to make their balance sheet the darling of wall street. IBM would get a comfortable piece of Apples soon to be rapidly growning market share. As a high Apple exec said to his negotiating representive, " Quid pro quo Big Blue"
Keep this quiet. OK?
