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[Camie]

Originally Posted by www.bbc.co.uk

Microsoft pays RealNetworks $761m

Microsoft has already had to change its software to settle claims
Microsoft is to pay $761m (£436m) to US software rival RealNetworks to end an anti-competition lawsuit over computer music players.
RealNetworks had alleged that Microsoft forced PC makers to fit its rival's Windows Media Player software at the expense of its own Real Player.

Microsoft and RealNetworks said the agreement paved the way for future collaboration between the two firms.

Washington-based Microsoft has been hit by a number of similar lawsuits.

Back in July, it paid IBM $775m to settle a case.

It had earlier reached anti-competition agreements with the US government, and fellow companies Time Warner and Sun Microsystems.

A dispute with the European Union (EU) remains.

Access deal

"Today we're closing one chapter and opening a new one in our relationship with Microsoft," said RealNetworks' founder and chief executive Rob Glaser.


RealNetworks boss Rob Glaser is pleased with the deal

"The legal chapter is being closed with an appropriate and fair outcome that sets the stage for a very productive and collaborative relationship between our companies."

In addition to the $761m, RealNetworks now gets long-term access to Microsoft technologies that will enhance its Real Player software.

Microsoft has also agreed to promote RealNetworks' music and games subscription service through its MSN internet network.

Continuing case

Back in March 2004, the EU fined Microsoft $597m for anti-competition practices.

It also ordered the computer giant to share its computer codes with rivals and offer stripped down versions of its Windows software.

Microsoft is continuing to appeal certain aspects of the EU's finding, and EU spokesman Jonathan Todd said on Tuesday that the computer firm's agreement with RealNetworks would have no affect on the ongoing legal case.

"We will continue to ensure full and complete compliance with the March 2004 decision," he said.

Would be interesting to see how Real will use this advantage, but I don't even think some lawsuit will take Microsoft of the top of the market.

[Cloud]

The worst thing is that the money is going into the pockets of one of the worst companies out there - Real is ran by a bunch of crooks, and putting more money in their pockets is a verrry bad thing.

[Paulscoconutass]

Real Player is pretty ace though. A rm episode of a tv show is around 40MB wheras a Windows Media rip of a show weigs in at around 140MB. It's also shit-hot for streaming things.

[jester1470]

Originally Posted by Paulscoconutass

Real Player is pretty ace though. A rm episode of a tv show is around 40MB wheras a Windows Media rip of a show weigs in at around 140MB. It's also shit-hot for streaming things.

RM works really well as a streaming thing for cartoons and animatioon whereas wmv still works better for 'real' videos.

It's dependent on the amount of colours used I think.

Cheers

Stuart