:NY Times: AOL's Rivals Want to See Open Instant Messaging
NY Times: AOL's Rivals Want to See Open Instant Messaging Jul 31, 2000, 22 :32 UTC (0 Talkback[s]) (2245 reads) (Other stories by LAURIE J. FLYNN) (As seen on sendmail.net)
"It is important to note that the debate is not about whether the
various instant messaging systems will ever interoperate.
Instead, the questions seem to be when and how. Even AOL
does not dispute the need for an interconnection standard. But
like most market leaders, the company would prefer to control
the standard."
"So the debate comes down to which side you believe. AOL
contends that the development and testing of an instant
messaging standard will take over a year. Its critics accuse the
company of stalling in order to better solidify its market position."
"In the meantime, the company [AOL] said, it has already "opened" its
network through royalty-free licensing agreements that allow
Internet service providers and Web companies to use AOL
Instant Messenger technology to create their own messaging
software.
