Real, Microsoft reach truce | CNET News.com: "
Under the deal, Microsoft will pay $460 million in cash to RealNetworks to settle antitrust claims. It will also pay $301 million in cash to support Real's music and games efforts and Microsoft will promote Real's Rhapsody subscription music service on its MSN Web business. Microsoft can earn credits toward that $301 million by signing up subscribers via MSN.
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For its part, Microsoft noted that the agreements with RealNetworks over Rhapsody are not exclusive, meaning that Microsoft could partner with others or offer its own subscription service. Gates stressed that the company has not announced any plans to do so, and both he and Microsoft's general counsel Brad Smith characterized Tuesday's announcement as a first step toward what's possible between Real and Microsoft.
But, Smith added, 'There's no guarantee that further steps will follow.'"
I hope I'm never forced to download the Real Player again. I had to do so in order to watch the recent Sun/Google non-event and was reminded of all the advertising junk Real throws at its users.
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