MySQL to get acquired by Sun

This just hit the presses: Sun will acquire MySQL for $1 billion. If you’re not familiar with MySQL: it’s the open-source database system that fuels a lot of sites, including Facebook, Google, and this one. From the press release:

SANTA CLARA, CA January 16, 2008 Sun Microsystems, Inc. (NASDAQ: JAVA) today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire MySQL AB, an open source icon and developer of one of the world’s fastest growing open source databases for approximately $1 billion in total consideration. The acquisition accelerates Sun’s position in enterprise IT to now include the $15 billion database market. Today’s announcement reaffirms Sun’s position as the leading provider of platforms for the Web economy and its role as the largest commercial open source contributor.

Will this change MySQL as we know it? Mårten Mickos, MySQL CEO, says the culture of the company (mainly open-source minded) will stay the same:

Marten Mickos with The Next Web founders

“Sun’s culture and business model complements MySQL’s own by sharing the same ideals that we have had since our foundation — software freedom, online innovation and community and partner participation. We are tremendously excited to work with Sun and the millions of members of the MySQL open source ecosystem to continue to deliver the best database for powering the modern Web economy.”

Sun CEO Jonathan Schwartz also elaborates on his blog.

We’ve had the pleasure of having dinner with Mårten in Amsterdam a few months back. We’ll try and contact him ASAP for a short interview regarding this news. Congratulations Mårten!