After 18 months of discussions, Vista International has called a halt to merger negotiations with Klopotek, a German software company.

Vista has been providing comprehensive business solutions to the publishing industry for 25 years and currently operates out of three international sites: Somerset, N.J.; London; and Sydney, Australia. John Wicker, v-p of Vista, confirmed that plans to set up a global network for servicing the publishing industry had suffered a setback. Talks had stalled because of "the risks and complications of different cultures and approaches," but Wicker did not rule out future expansion into Europe or other territories.

Klopotek's specialist publishing applications are just 10 years old, and the company recently netted all Bertelsmann's royalty administration business. Given the moribund state of the German publishing industry, it is likely that Klopotek will embark on another merger plan soon.