Quark Says Adobe Systems Rejected Its Acquisition Offer

Publishing and graphic software company Quark Inc. said Tuesday that it had offered to acquire Adobe Systems Inc. at a premium to its rival’s current stock price but had been turned down.

Quark, a closely held company that makes publishing and desktop design software, said it was interested in acquiring all or a significant portion of Adobe’s common stock. The Denver-based maker of QuarkXPress software said it was making the offer public after being rebuffed last week.

San Jose-based Adobe is the No. 1 maker of desktop graphics software, with such products as PhotoShop and PageMaker, a rival of QuarkXPress.

“We strongly desire the support of Adobe’s management in this matter and hope that our proposal will receive the prompt endorsement of Adobe’s board of directors,” Fred Ebrahimi, Quark’s chief executive, wrote in an Aug. 18 letter to John Warnock, co-chairman and chief executive of Adobe, and Charles Geschke, co-chairman and president.

“Adobe has advised Quark that it is not interested in pursuing discussions with Quark and that Adobe is focused on the exciting opportunities available to the company, its stockholders, employees and customers,” a spokesman for Adobe said.

“These letters failed to state any material terms that would constitute a firm and bona fide offer, including price,” the spokesman said.

Adobe shares closed at $24.56, up 13 cents, on Nasdaq.