Avantek

Hewlett-Packard Co. has agreed to acquire Avantek for about $82.8 million, the companies announced Wednesday. The merger with Avantek, a Santa Clara-based maker of microwave semiconductors, components and assemblies, is expected to be completed this fall. It is subject to approval by Avantek shareholders and an antitrust review by the federal government. Under the proposal, HP will pay $4.60 per share for each of Avantek's approximately 18 million shares of common stock.

Hewlett-Packard Co. has agreed to acquire Avantek for about $82.8 million, the companies announced Wednesday. The merger with Avantek, a Santa Clara-based maker of microwave semiconductors, components and assemblies, is expected to be completed this fall. It is subject to approval by Avantek shareholders and an antitrust review by the federal government. Under the proposal, HP will pay $4.60 per share for each of Avantek's approximately 18 million shares of common stock.

Microsoft Corp., the world's largest software maker, said Monday that it was filing lawsuits against eight computer-system builders and resellers in California and six other states, accusing them of distributing counterfeit and unlicensed software and software components. The lawsuits follow similar action in November 2004 against eight dealers. Legal amendments in 2003 provide criminal and civil penalties for distributing software without authenticity certificates.

A roundup of business developments spotted by other publications. Items were compiled a nd edited by Grassroots Research, a unit of the San Francisco money management firm of RCM Capital Management. Disk Drive: Avis now rents Compaqs. In an agreement with LapStop Corp. of Salem, Mass., Avis rents laptop computers for about the same price (day or week) as a car. It also rents portable printers and fax machines. The service is available at five U.S.

* Michael Wentink has been appointed executive vice president and chief financial officer of Taylor Woodrow, a Laguna Hills home builder. He has been with the company since 1992 as chief financial officer. Before that, he was chief financial officer for Newport Pacific Group, a Newport Beach-based real estate conglomerate.

* Abigail Abbott, a provider of temporary and permanent office help, has reorganized into three companies under a new parent company, Abbott Resources Group Inc. in Irvine. Karen Powers is president of Abigail Abbott Staffing Services; Shelle Thompson is president of Abbott Specialty Staffing Inc.; and Sandra Golden has been named president of Abbott HR Inc.

* Frank T. Sample, president and chief executive of VitalCom Inc., has been named chairman of the board. He succeeds Donald W. Judson, who resigned for health reasons, the company said. Judson, who joined the company as chief executive in 1983, will continue as a technical consultant. Before joining VitalCom in 1997, Sample was executive vice president at IDX Systems Corp. in Burlington, Vt., and resident and chief executive officer at Phamis Inc., which was merged into IDX Systems.