Gateway 2000 jumps at the chance to buy Amiga

Direct manufacturer Gateway 2000 is set to purchase the struggling Amiga Technologies after a German bankruptcy court accepted its offer to buy the rights and remaining stock.

The future of Amiga has been in doubt since its parent company, German manufacturer and retailer Escom, plunged into liquidation in July 1996. Escom bought Amiga?s assets from the receivers of the now bankrupt Commodore in April 1995, as it wanted to get hold of the multimedia technology.

But US sources claimed that Gateway 2000 was set to announce next month that it had bought Amiga. The deal is understood to include rights to patents amd trademarks, and gives the manufacturer access to Amiga?s Motorola-based multimedia computer.

The purchase would give Gateway 2000 access to computer graphics, animation and film technologies to strengthen its multimedia portfolio.

Amiga was always seen as a pioneer of technology but lacked the marketing clout and finances to succeed.

It is understood that Amiga will be renamed Amiga International and that it will operate as a separate business unit under current president Petro Tyschtschenko.

Gateway 2000 was unavailable for comment.