Corel Corporation and Micrografx, Inc. today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement whereby Corel will acquire Micrografx in a stock-for-stock transaction to be accounted for as a purchase transaction. The transaction is subject to regulatory approval and approval by Micrografx's shareholders.

This acquisition represents yet another important milestone in Corel's corporate strategy which is designed to position the company for long-term growth and profitability. As announced in January 2001, Corel's growth strategy provides a framework for the company's future that is being unfolded in three phases or "horizons". For the first horizon, Corel is focused on two goals: strengthening its position in the graphics market and effectively managing its business applications division to upgrade its large base of existing users. In horizon two, Corel will more fully embrace the power of the Web by developing advanced Web-based functionality within existing and new product lines. For horizon three, Corel will develop new technology to target fast-growing emerging markets, such as wireless and Web-based services. Corel is able to advance key aspects of each horizon as a result of this acquisition.

Corel and Micrografx share synergies which, when the two operations are combined, are expected to generate new revenue opportunities and cost efficiencies from which its collective worldwide customer base will benefit.