Openwave offloads handset software biz

Purple Labs has purchased Openwave Systems Inc.’s mobile-phone software business for $30 million in cash, the two companies said today.
The sale, which includes browsing and messaging products and related personnel, will allow Openwave to pursue its stated goal of focusing solely on network-based products, the company said.
The news sent beleaguered Openwave’s stock up nearly 5% to $1.48, which is near the low-end of the stock’s 52-week range. The company’s executive leadership is in transition; Openwave is seeking a new CEO after the former president and CEO quit in April. In January, former CFO Jean Yves Dexmier quit. Currently, Bruce Coleman serves as interim CEO.
An employee charged in May that executives had “managed financial results” and the company delayed filing its latest quarterly results, bringing a de-listing warning from Nasdaq.
Openwave is conducting an internal investigation into the charges with the aid of outside counsel. According to the company it is seeking a hearing before Nasdaq to challenge the exchange’s de-listing recommendation.
Purple Labs, based in Chamb