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Real And Microsoft Close to Settlement
pdirty writes "Real networks may be close to winning a $750 million settlement agreement with Microsoft following Real's antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft. The deal would include Microsoft paying cash as well as advertising for Real services, and products through channels such as MSN. Real is holding a conference call after the closing bell today to announce the details." From the article: "The deal follows on the heels of the European Commission appointing a watchdog last week to monitor Microsoft's compliance with its antitrust ruling. The pact is the latest in a string of payments by Microsoft to settle charges, including $750 million in 2003 to Time Warner to end charges about Microsoft acting to suppress Netscape, and $1.95 billion to Sun Microsystems to settle a suit by Sun over Microsoft's use of incompatible Java technology."
OS X comes with iTunes yet there is no foul play there...
In the press conference, Rob literally said "We will be releasing Rhapsody to Mac and Linux in the web browser." My mouth about hit the table.
If Real does release that (and it works..which are two big IFs) then they will be the first subscription music service on the Mac. They might actually gain some street cred with the linux/mac crowd and some more mind share of subscription service.
Knowing Real, they'll screw it up.