Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Computing
  3. News

Microsoft Settles with Real for $761 Mln

By

The last major antitrust Battle in Seattle came to an end today: Microsoft and RealNetworks have announced they’ve resolved Real’s antitrust case against the Redmond-based software giant. Three separate agreements have Microsoft forking over $761 million to RealNetworks and create a new partnership between the two companies to “innovate and promote digital music and games.”

The three agreements settle all of RealNetworks’ antitrust disputes worldwide, enable “wide-ranging” digital music collaboration between the companies (including marketing support for Real’s Rhapsody music subscription service on MSN properties), and an agreement to offer RealNetworks’ digital gamed through Microsoft’s MSN Games and Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360.

Recommended Videos

The music and games agreement has Microsoft paying RealNetworks $301 million over 18 months to support Real’s development, distribution, and marketing, although Microsoft will “earn credits” against that $301 million for any subscribers delivered to Real’s services through MSN. RealNetworks, in turn, will begin supporting MSN Search and promote Windows Media on Rhapsody To Go. In brief:

  • MSN Messenger users will be able to share and play music from Rhapsody while chatting.
  • MSN Search will use Rhapsody’s music editorial catalogue to help users find music.
  • Microsoft and RealNetworks will work together to enable MSN Search within RealPlayer.
  • MSN Search will feature Rhapsody music links in music-related search results.
  • Real will be able to purchase advertising to promote Rhapsody on MSN Search and on the MSN Network.
  • Both companies will promote Windows Media portable devices for Rhapsody to Go.
  • Both companies will collaborate on “casual games,” with Real creating a new subscription service to be offered on MSN Games, as well as new casual games for Xbox Live Arcade for Xbox 360.

The core antitrust agreement settles all antitrust disputes between the companies for a lump-sum $460 million payment to RealNetworks, which resolves all claims for damages and grants RealNetworks long-term access to key Windows Media technologies. In addition, Microsoft will enhance Windows users’ ability to access RealNetworks’ software by directing customers to Real Web pages if they don’t have software to play a Real media file, as well as making it simple and straightforward for customers to choose preferred players and media settings. The companies will also work to ensure interoperability between Real’s Helix DRM system and the DRM capabilities of Microsoft’s Windows Media technologies. Microsoft is also providing contractual assurances that Real will have broad access to the PC OEM distribution channel.

Editors' Recommendations

Geoff Duncan
Geoff Duncan
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Power up your tech game this summer with Dell’s top deals: Upgrade for a bargain
Dell Techfest and best tech on sale featured.

One of the best times to upgrade your tech stack, be it your desktop, a new laptop, or some high-resolution monitors, is when great deals are to be had. Well, I'm here to share that thanks to Dell's top deals, you can power up your tech game and have most of the summer to make it happen. Maybe you're happy with your current system or setup. That's excellent, but you're likely considering upgrading somewhere, and that's precisely what these deals are all about. Dell has a smorgasbord of deals on laptops, desktops, gaming desktops, monitors, accessories, and so much more. We'll call out a few of our favorite deals below, but for now, know that you should be shopping this sale if you're interested in anything tech-related.

 
What summer tech should you buy in Dell's top deals?

Read more
I love the MacBook Pro, but this Windows laptop came surprisingly close
Apple MacBook Pro 16 downward view showing keyboard and speaker.

There are some great machines in the 15-inch laptop category, which has recently been stretched to include the more common 16-inch laptop. The best among them is the Apple MacBook Pro 16, which offers fast performance for tasks like video editing and the longest battery life.

The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 is aimed not only at other 16-inch Windows laptops but also at the MacBook Pro 16. It offers many of the same benefits but at a lower price. Can it take a place at the top?
Specs and configurations

Read more
How to set an ‘Out of Office’ message in Microsoft Teams
Person using Windows 11 laptop on their lap by the window.

Many people use Microsoft Teams regularly to communicate with colleagues both inside of the office and remotely. It is considered one of the most efficient ways to ensure you can stay in contact with the people on your team, but what if you need to let people know you’re not readily available? Microsoft Teams has a method for you to set up an "Out of Office" status for your profile to let staff members know when you’ll be gone for the afternoon, for several days on vacation, or for an extended period.
Where do I go to set up my ‘Out of Office’ status for Teams?
It is important to note that your Microsoft Teams and Outlook calendars are synced. This includes your out-of-office status and automatic replies. So, whatever you set up in Microsoft Teams will reflect in Outlook. Similarly, you can set up your out-of-office status in Outlook, and it will be reflected in Teams; however, the former has a more straightforward instruction.

First, you can click on your profile icon in Teams and go directly to Schedule an out of office, as a shortcut. This will take you to the settings area where you can proceed. You can also click the three-dot icon next to your profile icon, then go to Settings > General, then scroll down to the bottom of the page. There, you'll find out-of-office settings and click Schedule.

Read more