Judge Rules For HP In Hewlett Suit

A Delaware judge late Tuesday ruled on behalf of HP in the lawsuit filed by dissident HP board member Walter Hewlett. In a 54-page ruling, Judge William Chandler III said in that a judgment "is entered in favor of HP on all claims."

The decision paves the way for a May 7 launch date for the combined HP-Compaq.

Many solution providers were relieved that the long merger battle appears to be over. "I'm glad we can now move forward," said John Sheaffer, CEO of Sysix Technologies, Westmont, Ill. "If the judge would have overturned the proxy vote and blocked the merger, it would have been a total whirlwind."

Hewlett said he has not decided on whether to appeal the case. "While we are disappointed with the Court's decision, we are grateful that it heard this case on such an expedited timeframe," he said in a statement. "We will now review the Court's written opinion and decide on a course of action."

Hewlett was voted off HP's board last Friday. He had been a board member since 1987.

"Regardless of our decision, my involvement with HP will not end today," he said in his statement. " As Chairman of The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and as a trustee of The William R. Hewlett Revocable Trust, I represent two major stockholders and I will continue to monitor the company's performance to ensure that it acts in the best interests of all stockholders."