Microsoft will invest $300 million in a new subsidiary that combines Barnes & Noble's Nook digital reader and college businesses. The new subsidiary will bring together the digital and College businesses of Barnes & Noble. Microsoft will make a $300 million investment in the new subsidiary at a post-money valuation of $1.7 billion in exchange for an approximately 17.6% equity stake. Barnes & Noble will own approximately 82.4% of the new subsidiary, which will have an ongoing relationship with the company's retail stores.

The companies will initially release a NOOK application for Windows 8, which will extend the reach of Barnes & Noble's digital bookstore by providing its digital catalogues to Windows customers.

Through the newly formed company, Barnes & Noble's NOOK Study software will also provide students and educators the technology platform for the distribution and management of digital education materials in the market.

Barnes & Noble has also settled its patent litigation with Microsoft and the new unit will have a royalty-bearing license.