Back to 1995

Chapter 663 Double Standard
"The latest news from Silicon Valley, AOL and Netscape have reached an acquisition agreement, with a total acquisition scale of more than 47 billion US dollars, making it the largest transaction in the history of the Internet industry. 15 billion in cash!

After the acquisition is completed, AOL will get all of Netscape's industries, including brand, technology, and R&D personnel.

Netscape has the best Internet technology in the world, a new generation of Raptor browser, known as the world's top browser, and Netscape also has instant messaging, portals, web servers and other businesses, all of which will fill AOL's Affected by the news, AOL shares rose more than 6% today..."

On the TV station, AOL news was reported. At the airport, Keith and Leonsis waved to the media and reporters with smiles on their faces. They were going to take a business jet purchased by AOL to go to San Jose to sign a contract with Netscape.

From all the opponents, defeating Microsoft, Yahoo, ICQ and other powerful rivals, snatching away Netscape, AOL can be said to shine this time, and let the entire technology industry see that AOL has been taken advantage of, no, it is the determination of the technology overlord!
Investors who bought AOL shares also recognized Case's decision. The risk was so much higher by [-] million points, but the exposure rate alone was not comparable to before. The technology companies mentioned before were Microsoft, Yahoo, and ICQ. Class, and now AOL has finally entered the ranks.

As the big brother in the Internet industry, he was acquired just like that. Although he was acquired at a high price, when he saw the news, many people in the industry still felt embarrassed.

On the plane, Leon Heath gave his boss a stack of newspapers, all of which were freshly published. Most of the reports on AOL's acquisition of Netscape were touting AOL's courage and Case's decisiveness.

Of course, there are also some media who questioned that AOL is simply being taken advantage of. Netscape has lost much value. AOL claims to have 3000 million users, but if it wants to compete with Microsoft in the browser industry, it must launch a free browser .

Now free browsers are basically a loss. Microsoft's IE browser is now losing money and making money. If you don't believe that AOL bought Netscape, you can make money!
"The Oakland Tribune has become something like this now. I don't know how much public relations fees Bruno Song paid for it!"

Leon Sis picked up the Oakland Tribune, glanced at it, and said to Case with disdain, since the Hotmail mailbox was born a few years ago, several media outlets in the Oakland Tribune have become Song Yang's hardcore supporters, As long as there are reports about Song Yang, it is to support Song Yang.

This time is no exception. The Oakland Tribune believes that Netscape should be acquired by ICQ. ICQ's [-] million users, coupled with Netscape's browser technology, can set off a second battle of browsers and kill Microsoft's IE browser. Down.

As for how to make money from the browser, the Oakland Tribune's answer is very metaphysical. As long as Song Yang is around, the browser can make money. He is even more confident than Song Yang. As for AOL's acquisition of Netscape, the Oakland Tribune kept complaining. , This is a bear breaking a stick. It's useless to buy it back!

Keith saw the long report in the Oakland Tribune, and he blew ICQ into the sky. In conclusion, he said that this is Song Yang's, so he is optimistic about it, and AOL is not Song Yang's, so he is not pleasing to the eye.

Although he was upset, Case still acted gracefully. After all, he was the winner now, and no winner would be jealous of the loser.

"Time will tell. Some people always think they are right, but only time will tell. The truth is in the hands of a few. I am looking forward to how the Auckland Tribune will report on everything today two years from now!"

Case said with a smile, his words were full of confidence, as if he was sure to fight against Microsoft IE and clear all doubts.

Leon Heath then praised his boss, and then said a piece of news that excited Case, "Jerry Levine, President of Time Warner, agreed to meet with us and talk about the previously proposed project!"

Case blushed for a while. He knew that all of this was not in vain. The acquisition of Netscape was indeed a demonstration of AOL's strength and courage to its allies.

"Netscape will be free!"

Inside the Microsoft headquarters, Bill Gates and a group of executives also watched the reports sent back by frontline reporters in Seattle.

Case, who just got off the plane, released the news when he went to the Netscape headquarters, "The Raptor, Netscape's latest generation browser after AOL's acquisition, will be completely free!"

It is self-evident what the purpose is, but Bill Gates and others are not concerned about this. In the browser field, IE browser has the absolute upper hand, with a market share close to 90%, and the bundled system. Big killer, what does AOL use to fight Microsoft.

"For the antitrust lawsuit against Netscape and Microsoft..."

Hearing this, Bill Gates, Ballmer and other executives all came to their senses. This is what they are concerned about. Microsoft hopes that AOL can withdraw the lawsuit. As long as there is no Netscape lawsuit, Microsoft will face The antitrust lawsuit against the Federal Department of Justice has reduced the pressure by more than half.

"I respect the wishes of Jim Clark and Anderson. As we all know, they gave everything for Netscape. AOL bought Netscape and got everything in Netscape, including allies and opponents!"

Case did not answer with proof, but his attitude showed everything. AOL inherited everything from Netscape, which naturally included the lawsuit between Netscape and Microsoft. He directly stated that he would not withdraw the lawsuit against Microsoft.

"I feel that Bruno Song is still too light on AOL!"

Ballmer cheered up the atmosphere, "AOL's acquisition of Netscape basically drained the cash flow and borrowed a lot of funds from Wall Street!"

Cash flow, when nothing happens, doesn't seem to be a big deal. Banks, institutions, etc. are willing to donate generously, but if something happens, cash flow will be the last straw that breaks the camel's back.

Bill Gates took a deep breath and looked at Case on the screen looking forward to his own strength. He originally wanted to give AOL a way to survive and give up part of the browser market to AOL. Bill Gates also knew that he couldn't do things. It's too bad.

Just like the existence of Apple, as long as Apple still maintains that poor share of the operating system, Microsoft does not have to worry about being split, so Microsoft is willing to give Apple a hand.

For AOL, Bill Gates also had the same idea, but AOL obviously didn't cherish it, and even wanted to fight against Microsoft.

Turning off the plan to negotiate with AOL, Bill Gates told Ballmer and others, "Go to ICQ and Double-click to stop all cooperation with AOL, especially advertising, Bruno Song will understand. I mean!"

Now that he has decided to do AOL, Bill Gates will not show mercy. He knows that this time Song Yang will definitely stand on Microsoft's side.

Netscape has already been acquired. Double-click, ICQ, etc. don’t need to act any more. They have been advertising for Netscape. In addition to this acquisition, ICQ and AOL are already tearing their skins apart. past.

Now, of course, it's time for Microsoft and ICQ to join forces to kill AOL, at least AOL can't be left idle!

On the night when Keith arrived in San Jose, Jim Clark held a grand banquet for Keith. Major technology companies, congressmen, and celebrities in San Jose were present. Only Song Yang and ICQ were "violent" for the future because of the failure of the acquisition.

This was one of the pinnacle moments of Case's life. Countless people surrounded him, and he was the focus of the banquet.

In the past, Jim Clark and Anderson, who were the focus of the crowd wherever they went, stood in the corner of the banquet with the former Netscape president Baxter, and it was quite deserted. Anderson realized what it means to let people go.

It's not like no one cares, there are many Wall Street institutions, investment companies, and small Internet companies that have just been established, and they frequently join them.

The purpose, of course, is for the cash in Jim Clark's hands. After all, it is $15 billion in cash and billions of dollars in stocks, which can be cashed out at any time.

Even though he was mentally prepared, Anderson still couldn't help showing resignation and helplessness when he looked at Case, who was so beautiful in the crowd.

Of course Anderson knows that he is not losing money. In just a few years on the Internet, he has won billions of dollars and a social status that other people can't get in a few lifetimes. Thinking of the popularity before, and looking at the current situation, it is inevitable. There will be gaps.

Jim Clark can see it. He has already experienced it once. The last time was much more tragic than this time. He directly fell out with the board of directors and was kicked out. But this time, he retreated completely and took billions of dollars The knife is successful and retreats.

Glancing at Case, who was praised by others for changing glasses, Jim Clark raised the corner of his mouth, looked on with a bit of indifference, then turned around, and raised his glass to Anderson and Baxter in a low voice, "Toast Bruno Song!"

Even though he was in a bad mood, Anderson still raised his glass after hearing this. If they didn't respect Song Yang's glass of wine today, Anderson and the others probably wouldn't dare to leave the banquet.

Netscape sold 47 billion U.S. dollars, and it was all raised by ICQ. Before the sale, Anderson never dreamed that Netscape could be so valuable!

Jim Clark also felt bored without staying at the banquet. America is a vanity fair, and Silicon Valley is no exception. Come get your feet up, and grab another.

When leaving the banquet, Jim Clark couldn't help but looked back with some nostalgia, and finally left resolutely, Netscape no longer belonged to him!

Song Yang was following a few people who had traveled thousands of miles to San Jose. When they were eating barbecue in the backyard of the villa, they suddenly heard the arrival of Jim Clark, which made Song Yang puzzled. , Jim Clark even came to him.

(End of this chapter)