AOL gets tough in messaging battle with
Microsoft
By Jim Hu
Staff Writer, CNET News.com
August 6, 1999, 2:10 p.m. PT
America Online is sending a more aggressive message to MSN Messenger users,
logging them off the system when they try to communicate with AOL Instant
Messenger users.
MSN Messenger users sending messages to AOL users today received the following
message: "You have been disconnected from the AOL Instant Message Service (SM) for
accessing the AOL network using unauthorized software." It then links to a site where they
can "download a FREE, fully featured, and authorized client."
The AOL message then causes the MSN Messenger client to log off, and it cannot be
reactivated until the user relaunches the software.
AOL spokeswoman Tricia Primrose said the block does not affect the MSN Messenger
software. Rather, it is a warning to MSN Messenger users that AOL will block access to
its network of screen names.
"MSN is continually trying to work around blocks that we put in place," Primrose said. "We
are blocking Microsoft, so [the new message] lets users know they are about to be
blocked.
The focal point of the debate is instant messaging software popularized by AOL that allows
users to send text messages to each other in real time. AOL has dominated this space by
maintaining 40 million screen names in its instant messenger "Buddy List" network, and
an additional 38 million registrations in ICQ, the instant messaging software it acquired last
year.
The action is AOL's latest shot in its ongoing volley with Microsoft over competing instant
messenger services. The battle began two weeks ago when Microsoft released MSN
Messenger with a feature allowing users to communicate with AOL Instant Messenger
users. AOL responded by blocking MSN Messenger from communicating with its users.
Microsoft has pushed for open standards for instant messaging, and AOL said it also
supports standards. Microsoft is calling for AOL to join standard efforts outlined by the
Internet Engineering Task Force. AOL, on the other hand, has asked Microsoft to join its
own standards advisory board, which is staffed by top executives from AOL, Apple
Computer, Sun Microsystems, RealNetworks, and Novell.
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