SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of March, 2000
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THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
(formerly known as M.A.I.D plc)
(exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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THE COMMUNICATIONS BUILDING
48 LEICESTER SQUARE
LONDON WC2H 7DB, ENGLAND
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
FORM 20-F |X| FORM 40-F|_|
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934:
YES |_| NO |X|
<PAGE>
On March 20, 2000, the Registrant issued a press release entitled: "Dialog
Comments Re/Press Speculation."
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Date: March 20, 2000
THE DIALOG CORPORATION PLC
By: /s/ David G. Mattey
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David G. Mattey
Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
- ----------- -----------
99.1 Press Release, "Dialog Comments Re/Press Speculation,"
dated March 20, 1999
TYPE: EX-99
SEQUENCE: 2
DESCRIPTION: EXHIBIT 99.1 - PRESS RELEASE
EXHIBIT 99.1
Monday March 20, 9:25 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Dialog Comments Re/Press Speculation
CARY, N.C. and LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 20, 2000--The Dialog
Corporation plc (NASDAQ:DIAL, LSE:DLG), a leading provider of Internet-based
information, technology and e-commerce solutions, today issued, at the behest of
the London Stock Exchange, the following clarification statement:
Further to comment in today's press, Dialog can state that following an
extensive strategic review, it is in advanced discussions to dispose of its
Information Services Division ("ISD") to a third party purchaser for a cash
consideration that will enable it to repay all of its outstanding debt
obligations. In addition, these discussions also involve a strategic alliance
and equity subscription with the same third party, together with license
agreements for the Group's technologies and software as well as provision of
content reseller rights. Dialog has also secured agreement for a further equity
injection from another third party with interests in global high technology
developments.
Post the ISD disposal, Dialog is proposing to change its name to Bright Station
Plc and will consist of the E-Commerce ("ECD") and Web Solutions ("WSD")
divisions. These divisions contain technology assets and brands such as
InfoSort, Muscat, WebTop, WebCheck, Sparza, OfficeShopper and Knowledge
Management. Combined WSD and ECD revenues rose substantially in 1999, compared
to 1998. Dialog will also form a new division, Internet Ventures Division
("IVD"), to leverage its technology assets, management experience and capital to
support new Internet and eCommerce start-ups.
Assuming these proposals are secured, Bright Station will be focused on its ECD,
WSD and IVD businesses with new equity investment from strategic partners, which
will enable these divisions to be further developed.
The discussions referred to above are at an advanced stage, and assuming their
conclusion on satisfactory terms, also involve securing agreement with Dialog's
Bondholders and the senior banking group. If these discussions are successfully
concluded, details of the proposals will be sent to both shareholders and
bondholders for their approval.
<PAGE>
A further announcement will be made as and when appropriate.
The Dialog Corporation (http://www.dialog.com) is a leading provider of
Internet-based information, technology and e-commerce solutions, created by the
merger of M.A.I.D plc and Knight-Ridder Information Inc. The Dialog Corporation
brands include the DIALOG, DataStar and Profound range of products and services.
These brands provide comprehensive, authoritative sources of information to
professionals worldwide. The Dialog Corporation has world headquarters in London
and US headquarters in Cary, N.C. Its American Depositary Shares (ADS) are
traded on NASDAQ under the symbol 'DIAL' with four Ordinary Shares comprising
one ADS; its Ordinary Shares trade on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol
'DLG.'
