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Microsoft Threatens Startups Over Account Info

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the strong-arm-of-the-law dept.

HangingChad writes "According to Fortune, there are reports that Microsoft is trying to strong arm startups to give preferential treatment to MSN Messenger and are using account information as leverage. 'If the company wants to offer other IM services (from Yahoo, Google or AOL, say), Messenger must get top billing. And if the startup wants to offer any other IM service, it must pay Microsoft 25 cents a user per year for a site license.' Of course, if the company is willing to use Messenger exclusively 'fee will be discounted 100 percent.' Getting detailed information is difficult as many of the companies being approached are afraid of reprisals."

2 of 156 comments (clear)

  1. They are all playing the lock in game by Zeinfeld · · Score: 5, Interesting
    All the social networking companies are playing this game. The only difference is that when Microsoft points a lawyer at you, they are loaded.

    Open Identity systems such as OpenID are the way to go. But how do we break open the proprietary lock? Tim Berners-Lee told me to look at FOAF but we still need to complete the integration into the authentication systems.

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  2. Heavy Foot by mfh · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Microsoft has always had a heavy foot, but waiving fees for those who cut out the competition requires another solution.

    Drop Microsoft! Just drop them. Stop using them. They are old anyway. Let's come up with something NEW!

    Backfires inc!

    --
    The dangers of knowledge trigger emotional distress in human beings.