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Microsoft In Talks To Buy Claria

Posted by Zonk on from the formerly-a-no-good-gator dept.

axonis writes "For the last two weeks, Microsoft has been in talks to buy Claria, an adware marketer formerly called Gator, and best known for its pop-up ads and software that tracks people visiting Web sites. The offer price on the table as recently as Wednesday was $500 million. One person briefed on the deal said there was opposition within Microsoft to the acquisition. Analysts said Microsoft would probably be most interested in the long-term potential of Claria's personalization software rather than its pop-up ads."

17 of 352 comments (clear)

  1. I thought that said CHINA! by bc90021 · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...and I got really scared there for a second. ;)

    It could, of course, be a good thing, if they can buy the company, and use their software for something other than spyware and popups!

    --
    libertarianswag.com
    1. Re:I thought that said CHINA! by CSMastermind · · Score: 5, Interesting

      No, Microsoft has had a long record of strongly fighting spammers and their lot. Now Microsoft is releasing antivirus and antispyware tools. What better way to shut down a company that produces so much spyware and other unwanted adds than to buy them. From the deal, they'd not only get the code to the software (which could improve their removal tools) but also valuable code for personalization. I say they should go for it.

    2. Re:I thought that said CHINA! by rpozz · · Score: 5, Insightful

      What better way to shut down a company that produces so much spyware and other unwanted adds than to buy them.

      Sends out the wrong sort of message when they buy them for $500 million though.

  2. What to do with them? by dlefavor · · Score: 5, Funny

    With any luck they'll buy them and then blow them up.

  3. Antispyware, and now this? by bheer · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Microsofts Antispyware's cred just took a dive for no fault of its own. Pity, since Giant (which it was before MS purchased it) was one of the better antispyware apps.

    --
    Go somewhere random
  4. This will eliminate SPYWare by spicydragonz · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft will just embed Gator into Longhorn.

    1. Re:This will eliminate SPYWare by Alien+Being · · Score: 5, Funny

      old: Where do you want to go today?
      new: We know where you've been!

  5. Microsoft is no longer the Microsoft we all love by Bemmu · · Score: 5, Funny

    What are they thinking, don't they realize what this is going to do to their image? Microsoft, the company cherished for it's warm human point of view and high quality software, associating itself with such a low-life company.

  6. Encouragement by Mark_Uplanguage · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Yes, let's reward these companies for their abuses of the internet. 500 million reasons to be unscrupulous in business. This is going to make spyware/adware that much worse. Yea, let's here it for best business practices!!! /rant

    --
    "The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits." -- Albert Einstein
  7. on the bright side... by downerad · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, at least deciding which company we hate most should get a lot easier.

  8. I felt a great disturbance in the force. . . by smooth+wombat · · Score: 5, Funny

    as if millions of pcs suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.

    --
    We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
  9. Bonzai Buddy by DavidLeblond · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft should buy whoever made Bonzai Buddy (or whatever that purple guy was called.) The integration of that and Clippy would be revolutionary.

    1. Re:Bonzai Buddy by AndersOSU · · Score: 5, Funny

      Could we make 'em fight? You know to the death? I'd install the buddy and resurect clippy if I could see that.

  10. Is anyone else scared? by suman28 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What in the world is going on?
    First, the senior level executive from Gator goes to work for Homeland Security (head still spinning from that one).
    And now, Microsoft is in talks to buy Claria?
    I smell something fishy. Suddenly, the HSD will be buying all things Microsoft, in the name of anti-terrorism and patriotism.

  11. Let me give you a little history lesson by Rogerborg · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Number of times in the entire history of the world that buying off thugs has ever made them go away: 0

    --
    If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  12. talk about a value-add for the OS!!! by Thud457 · · Score: 5, Funny
    Don't forget:

    NWO : "For only $29.99, we won't tell the wife/DEA/Homeland Security!"


    Oh damn, forgot to click "Post Anonymously"...

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  13. Re:Makes sense to me... by Neon+Spiral+Injector · · Score: 5, Funny

    How about:

    Q: What is the difference between Microsoft and Claria?

    A: One makes software that subverts control, slows operation to a near halt, and generally damages the way your computer functions. The other is just a spyware company.