How high will Microsoft fly? Message Board

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly?

MSFT 471.45

-1.4%

10:40 AM EST

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next

To: Daniel Schuh who wrote (11638)	10/22/1998 12:52:00 PM
From: rudedog	Read Replies (1) of 74651

Dan - Clark wrote: "No one in my organization knows about this message." IMHO, given that Clark was chairman and CEO, it doesn't matter who else knew about the message. This was a very clear and direct request from the founder and lead executive of Netscape for MSFT to consider taking an equity position in Netscape, more than 6 months before the infamous June 95 meeting. If Clark failed to communicate that information to his 'new hire' Barksdale, I'm not surprised. I would assume that Clark would want at least a few months to take the cut of Barksdale's jib before spilling his guts, given the 'revolving door' executive ranks in silicon valley startups. Warden may have made another key point with Clark's testimony, regarding Netscape's awareness of MSFT plans to include browser functionality as a part of the OS before Netscape fielded their first product. I have a little inside knowledge on this particular piece of history and none of the players saw the browser itself as the revenue piece. Netscape was in a pickle over their abuse of trademark and IP given that Spyglass had the licensing rights from U of I for mosaic, and Netscape's best move would probably have been to get MSFT to do a licensing deal and square things up all around, but they were a little too greedy. Spyglass, which actually owned the rights, took a leaner deal than the one offered to Netscape, who did not own the rights. Go figure. Netscape's behavior over the next 6-9 months was therefore driven by the legal issues around the U of I mosaic IP to some extent. I think you will see some interesting details come out as the legal teams bear down on this particular point in time.

Report TOU Violation

Share This Post

Public Reply Prvt Reply Mark as Last Read File

Previous 10 Next 10 Previous Next