RealNetworks Seeks Alliance With Apple

RealNetworks made an appeal last week to Apple, its Internet music rival, suggesting that the two companies form a common front against Microsoft in the digital music business.

The offer to create a “tactical alliance” was made Friday by Rob Glaser, chief executive of RealNetworks, the Seattle-based Internet music and video service, in an e-mail message to Steve Jobs, Apple’s chairman.

But if an alliance with Apple could not be struck, Glaser strongly hinted in the e-mail message that he might be forced to form a partnership with Microsoft to pursue “very interesting opportunities” because support for Microsoft’s media-playing software seems to be growing.

Read the full story at CNET News.com.