RealNetworks buys Ruse. com for prikkie
Approximately the half of the sum is paid announced in cash, the rest in shares, as the businesses Monday. The two are otherwise no stranges of each other. In February, RealNetworks took all a minorities interest in the noodlijdende Ruse. com
Ruse. com is with name known of its online music service Rhapsody. The tragedy of the furrow Americas meant service is that these through critics is valued round its use childness, but that it much too little paying users opposite stand. of. It appeared again difficult compete with with free alternatives as KaZaA.
The striking at the take-over purchase of Ruses. com is that Rhapsody a direct competitor is of MusicNet. RealNetworks is with 40 per cent yet always largest shareholder in this collaboration. Other interested parties its Bertelsmann, AOL Tim Warner and EMI.
Addition
The purchase of Ruses. com want according to RealNetworks-boss Ribbed Glaser however do not say that MusicNet now on a low low flame becomes gezet. According to Glaser, Rhapsody must be seen more as a beautiful end product for the consumer, while the business offer want with MusicNet the underlying technology for music services. Self offers Real yet always an antiquated version of MusicNet on, where AOL Tim Warner an improved variant furnishes.
RealNetworks puts integrate to want Rhapsody with its betaalservice RealOne.
The named 36 million dollars may named become a bargain. In total is there already more than 100 million dollars in Ruses. com genvesteerd.,. The business became according to connoisseurs many times more high than this sum valued. But that was burst before the dotcom-zeepbel.