Isolated reports indicate that Bertelsmann intends to merge its US book clubs with the stock market-listed Internet bookseller Barnesandnoble.com. This statement is incorrect and has no basis in fact. The integration of BOL.com and Clubs to transform Bertelsmann's direct-to-customer businesses - with their 55 million customers - into a community-based venture refers exclusively to the European and Asian market. Bertelsmann has a 36 percent interest in Barnesandnoble.com. Further Information is available: www.directgroup-news.de ots Original Text Service: DirectGroup Bertelsmann Internet: www.presseportal.de Contact: Gerd Koslowski, Vice President Communication, DirectGroup Bertelsmann, Tel.: +49 (0) 5241 / 80-4 15 55E-Mail: Gerd.Koslowski@bertelsmann.de