Microsoft settles with RealNetworks for $761 million

ipodnn ^ | 10/11/2005

[Panerai]

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.

[postaldave]

since your pointing that out, i would also like to state that it is not against the law to "have" a monopoly. it's only against the law to use your monopoly to crush others like M$ did.

[NCjim]

I don't use Media Player either

Me neither. Anything that lets its media file imbed executable code or the ability to launch a browser is much too dangerous for me to ever use.

[bitt]

I delete it whenever I see it....and it is always enabled in XP's 'manage add-ons'....

now THERE's a good tweak...

[Abcdefg]

If you must play Real media format files, try Real Alternative from http://www.codecguide.com/about_real.htm

[zeugma]

since your pointing that out, i would also like to state that it is not against the law to "have" a monopoly. it's only against the law to use your monopoly to crush others like M$ did.

Absolutely. It is abuse of monopoly power that is bad, not the monopoly itself.

[ByDesign]

"VLC is good...IMHO."

VLC=Goodness. THE best media player, hands down, and it's free. Rock solid on Windows and MAC OSX. VLC will pay clips Quicktime and WMP refuse to. (As a long-time Mac user, I'm very irked by how few codexs work in Quicktime!)

I banned RealPlayer from any computer I use years ago, and I hate that they prevailed - this will keep that shoddy, underhanded company afloat way past it's natural lifespan. I was hoping the company would just die and go away.

[Musket]

If everyone would just use Mpeg there would be no problems. I mean, that's why it was created - to be a standard. But some companies just want to create problems I guess.