Symantec sells ACT! to SalesLogix for $80m

CUPERTINO, Calif. - Dec. 6, 1999 - - Symantec Corp. (NASDAQ: SYMC) today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement with SalesLogix concerning the acquisition of ACT!. Under the terms of the agreement, SalesLogix will acquire an exclusive license for ACT! and an option to purchase the product line at the end of the four-year license term for an aggregate purchase price, including quarterly royalties, of $60 million. Symantec will also receive unregistered common stock in SalesLogix valued at $20 million.

"Transferring ACT! will allow us to continue to focus our efforts around the products and activities that best complement Symantec's strategic direction and leverage the company's core competency in Internet security," said John W. Thompson, Symantec chairman, president and CEO. "SalesLogix is a good company to take care of the existing ACT! customer base and has announced exciting plans to continue the development of ACT! through its natural evolution to an Internet-based application."

Upon closing of the transaction, SalesLogix will take over all development, product management, marketing and support for ACT!. For the first 90 days after closing, SalesLogix will purchase sales, marketing and tech support services from Symantec to ensure a smooth transition for the existing customer base. Completion of the transaction is dependent upon termination of waiting periods for the Hart Scott Rodino anti-trust filing with the Department of Justice and satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT:
This press release contains forward-looking statements. There are certain important factors that could cause Symantec's future development efforts and the anticipated ACT! product line transaction to differ materially from those anticipated by some of the statements made above. Among these are the anticipation of the growth of certain market segments, the positioning of Symantec's products in those segments, the competitive environment in the software industry, dependence on other products, changes to operating systems and product strategy by vendors of operating systems, the importance of new Symantec products, the failure to satisfy closing conditions for the transaction, the success of the ACT! product line after closing, and the ability of SalesLogix to carry out its announced plans for the ACT! Product line. Additional information concerning those and other factors is contained in the "Risk Factors" section of the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 2, 1999.

About Symantec in Canada:
With 250 employees, Symantec's Canadian operations are headquartered in Toronto with offices in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver. For information on Symantec products or current promotions, contact the Canadian office at (416) 441-3676 or access Symantec's Canadian Web Site. Symantec is an active member of the Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST).

About Symantec
Symantec is the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing. Symantec products and solutions help make users productive and keep their computers safe and reliable anywhere and anytime. Symantec offers a broad range of solutions and is acclaimed as a leader in both customer satisfaction and product brand recognition. Symantec is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol SYMC. More information on the company and its products can be obtained at www.symantec.com.

Founded in 1982, the company's global operations span North America, Europe, Japan and several fast growing markets throughout Asia Pacific and Latin America. Traded on Nasdaq under the symbol SYMC, Symantec Corporation is based in Cupertino, Calif., and employs more than 2,000 people. Information on the company and its products can be obtained by calling (800) 441-7234 toll free, (541) 334-6054 or accessed on the World Wide Web.

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Brands and products referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.