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Technology Stocks : How high will Microsoft fly? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Scotsman who wrote (7393)	5/17/1998 11:23:00 PM
From: MR. PANAMA (I am a PLAYER)	Respond to of 74651

Maybe Janet and Joel should get acquainted on a Viagra date....better they do that than screw us all....

To: Scotsman who wrote (7393)	5/18/1998 12:51:00 AM
From: mozek	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 74651

I think this kind of thing can be easily misunderstood. I'm not sure how long, but I think about 4 years ago Microsoft started an interactive TV effort that developed all sorts of potentially useful technologies. I don't know any specifics of the meeting that your describing, but I doubt that Microsoft pirated technologies. I know that some people believe Microsoft is better at marketing than innovation, but they'd probably be surprised to learn how strong Microsoft's R&D really is. Typically, I think it's sometimes a make or buy question for Microsoft. If a company has non-proprietary technology and they approach Microsoft with it, they should understand that it won't behoove them negotiate for unreasonable terms. They may be negotiating to license or sell something Microsoft already has. Microsoft has quite a few development and research projects going on all the time. Even if MSFT has a technology under development, it may still make business sense to buy a productized implementation or something with "filled in" areas of technology. If it doesn't make sense with the offered terms, should they be forced to buy it? Should they be prevented from talking to companies that want to sell it? I believe this is standard business, not something dishonest or unethical. Mike