Inso Corp is to get its hands on new Java-based file filtering and viewing technology as a result of an agreement to acquire Venture Labs Inc and its subsidiary Paradigm Development Corp for $4.3m in cash. Boston, Massachusetts-based Inso will also assume certain liabilities from the Vancouver, British Columbia-based firm, which has around 30 programmers. Paradigm is the developer of the DOQView Java file filtering and viewing software for OEM and corporate customers. The 100% Pure Java tools support multiple file formats, including those for Microsoft Office. DOQView hasn’t been released yet, but is expected to emerge during the first quarter of 1999. Inso will account for the acquisition as a purchase, expected to have a total value of $4.8m. Last year, Inso acquired Adobe Systems Inc’s MasterSoft electronic publishing-related file access, viewing and conversion technologies (which originally came from Frame Technology), only to discontinue them in favor of its own QuickView technology. That led two of its OEMs – Verity Inc and Softscape Inc – to abandon QuickView, because of Inso’s alleged monopoly position. Verity acquired FTP Software’s Keyview alternative, and agreed to supply it to Softscape. Inso says the new Java expertise will compliment its existing information exchange products, including QuickView Plus and Outside In, and extend its tools to support multiple platform development.
