CNET: Mozilla's messenger may compete with AIM, others

"In an ironic twist to America Online's open-source efforts, the AOL-funded Mozilla organization appears likely to support an instant messaging technology in direct competition with AOL's own messaging software.

"Mozilla.org, the group shepherding the open-source development of AOL's Communicator Web browser, is hard at work on a messaging program, or client, for users of the Internet Relay Chat network (IRC).

"The IRC client could be included in Mozilla's first beta release of the browser, expected in the next four weeks. IRC, which is not affiliated with any firm, would compete directly with AOL's market-leading AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) and ICQ products."

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