Microsoft Corporation will invest $300 million in Barnes & Noble's digital and college businesses, valuing them at $1.7 billion. Shares of Barnes & Noble jumped 79 per cent.

Microsoft will get a 17.6 per cent stake in the new unit, while Barnes & Noble will own about 82.4 per cent, the companies said in a statement on Monday.     

The business, whose name has not yet been decided, will have an ongoing relationship with Barnes & Noble's retail stores.      

Barnes & Noble, the number one US bookstore chain, said in January that it might spin off its digital business, which includes its Nook e-reader.    

The companies will introduce an application for the Nook on Windows 8, the upcoming version of Microsoft's operating system.     

Barnes & Noble is investing heavily to develop its popular Nook devices and the e-books sales they generate as readers move away from traditional books.     

Barnes & Noble and Microsoft have settled their patent litigation, the companies said.     

Shares of Barnes & Noble were up 79 per cent at $24.50 in premarket trading. The company was valued at just above $823 million at Friday's close.     

Microsoft shares rose 0.7 per cent to $32.19. – Reuters