Lotus-Novell merger off. (Lotus Development Corp.; atLotus)

Lotus-Novell Merger Off Lotus and Novell called off the proposed merger they announced in early April. Discussions broke down over Novell's "sudden and unexpected" demand for an eight-member board of directors, says Jim Manzi, Lotus's president and CEO. The original agreement called for four members from Lotus and three from novell. Novell confirmed that it was unwilling to go forward without equal board representation, which it said was crucial to the combined company's …