Is Microsoft In Talks to Aquire AOL??

[DudeAsInCool]

Microsoft in talks to acquire AOL?

Time Warner executives have held discussions in recent months with Microsoft about a potential sale of AOL, The Post has learned.

In addition, Time Warner lawyers have begun analyzing any potential antitrust issues from such a deal, and to date their conclusion is that there would be few roadblocks to a Microsoft acquisition of AOL, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Time Warner spokesman Ed Adler said "such speculation is silly and pointless," and wouldn't comment further. A Microsoft spokesperson declined comment.

Sources say the deal being discussed within Time Warner would include Microsoft paying cash plus the assumption of debt to acquire AOL. A possible investment by Microsoft in Time Warner Cable has also been considered, sources say. Microsoft previously invested $1 billion in Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator, and owns about 7 percent of that company.

Time Warner and Microsoft are already deep in discussions about ways to use Microsoft technology in Time Warner's content businesses, and discussions about a deal for AOL emanated from those talks, sources say.

As first reported by The Post this week, Time Warner is stepping up efforts to consider alternatives for AOL. Its bankers at Goldman Sachs are putting together a proposal for the division, which could include a sale, spin-off or radical restructuring of the business.

Sources close to Parsons insist that no deal is imminent and that the review of AOL is only in its early stages. But Parsons himself appears especially eager to pursue a deal with Microsoft, according to a source.

http://www.nypost.com/business/17300.htm

[Bombardier]

Time Warner denies Microsoft-AOL reports

Time Warner on Friday denied a report that it has held talks in recent months with software maker Microsoft about selling its America Online Internet unit.

"We do talk to them (Microsoft) about digital rights management...but the other stuff is just not true," said Time Warner spokeswoman Tricia Primrose, referring to a New York Post report about talks on a possible merger between Microsoft and AOL.

Microsoft spokesman Kent Hollenbeck said the company does not comment on rumors and speculation.

The newspaper, citing unidentified sources familiar with the matter, said lawyers at the media company have begun studying potential antitrust issues stemming from a possible Microsoft acquisition of AOL, and so far they have found few roadblocks.

http://news.com.com/2100-1030_3-5176017.html?tag=nefd_top

[DudeAsInCool]

Generally speaking from experience, rumors in Hollywood tend to turn out to be true.

[Shawn]

I don't even know why, but that strikes me as funny as hell.

Is Oliver Stone included? ;)

[DudeAsInCool]

Of course its funny--imagine those two crappy companies together...

[Ken]

Well, if they start sending me 10,000,000 copies of Windows 2000 Professional every week, I don't have any problems with that.

[Yoda]

lol pick them up at the store on those stands. Then i could sell them and become a millionare! muahaha