AOL-Netscape Merger

[James Love <love@cptech.org>]

DOJ has issued a second request in the AOL-Netscape merger.  One issue
concerns AOL's acquisition of Netscape's browser.  Specifically, does
AOL have a conflict on interest, and if so will independent ISPs
harmed?  Independent ISPs need browser software for their customers to
obtain access to Internet content.  Both AOL and Microsoft have an
interest in degrading the importance of open internet standards, and
both companies want to promote proprietary alternatives for access to
Internet content.

AOL has rejected suggestions that they guarantee continued support of
the Mozilla.Org project as a condition of the merger approval, and AOL
has also indicated that it expects to release future versions of the
Netscape browser that are not open source, and which contain proprietary
technologies.  


I would very much like to be in touch with any ISPs that are willing to
simply discuss this issue with DOJ.   There are several things that DOJ
could do, from blocking the merger to setting conditions on the merger,
such as non-exclusive licensing of the NS code under non NPL or MPL
licenses, continued support for Mozilla.Org, guaranteeing continued
support for non-MS OS alternatives for the  browser (such as Linux or
other platforms, recall for example AOL's earlier decision to drop NS in
return for good Windows location).

  Jamie


-- 
James Love, Consumer Project on Technology
P.O. Box 19367, Washington, DC 20036
202.387.8030; f 202.234.5176
http://www.cptech.org, mailto:love@cptech.org