digital music/video
10/11/2005, 3:10pm, EDT
Tuesday, October 11th
Microsoft settles with RealNetworks for $761 million
Microsoft today said it will pay $761 million to RealNetworks, one of Apple's major online music competitors, to settle an antitrust suit regarding Microsoft's use of its dominance to promote its own media software. RealNetworks said Microsoft's decision to bundle Windows Media Player for free within the Windows operating system slowed sales at RealNetworks, according to a report from Reuters. Microsoft will pay RealNetworks $460 million in cash up front to resolve all damage claims, and RealNetworks will get licenses and commitments that give it long-term access to Windows Media technologies to enhance the Real Player software, according to the report. Microsoft has also vowed to promote the music and game subscription services of RealNetworks through the MSN internet network, and will earn credit against the remaining $301 million for subscriptions to Real from MSN, according to the report.
Filed under: industry
Other story tags: digital music/video
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If neither of these companies can complete with Apple they should ask WHY. I generally avoid REAL because their products have become spyware and clunky. I avoid WMP because it's cluttered and horrible to use. (Unless I have no options of course.)
iTunes & Quicktime (two separate products as they should be! Hint hint) are streamlined and a true pleasure to use. Get with it guys and just maybe you'll make some inroads.
Now ... let me go get a Dell Ditty.