Software Merger: Siebel Systems Inc., a provider...

Software Merger: Siebel Systems Inc., a provider of customer-service software, agreed to buy OpenSite Technologies Inc., maker of online-auction software, for about $444 million in stock. Closely held OpenSite had been planning to sell about 21% of its common shares, or about 5 million shares, to the public at $13 to $15 a share. The Siebel deal values Durham, N.C.-based OpenSite at about .13 of a Siebel share, equivalent to $14.66 based on Monday’s closing price. Closely held Bidder’s Edge, which agreed in February to be acquired by OpenSite said it “was disappointed in OpenSite’s change in strategy.” Shares in Siebel, based in San Mateo, Calif., jumped $14.13 to close at $126.88 on Nasdaq.