Computerworld

Commission probes HP-Compaq

The Commerce Commission is to investigate local aspects of the planned Hewlett-Packard takeover of Compaq. But it is keeping the reasoning behind the investigation quiet.

The Commerce Commission is to investigate local aspects of the planned Hewlett-Packard takeover of Compaq. But it is keeping the reasoning behind the investigation quiet.

“I can confirm that the commission has opened an investigation into the Hewlett-Packard-Compaq move,” says the manager of the market structures division, Richard Braae. “This is consistent with our role to investigate all major planned mergers. But I can’t say anything more.” It is standard commission policy not to comment on investigations in progress, he says.

The planned merger is still working its way through equivalent approval processes in the US, says HP NZ marketing manager Joanna Burgess. “We have hardly heard anything here since the move was first announced.”

She could make no comment on the Commerce Commission investigation. “They [the commission] will probably be dealing with our legal team in Australia.”