“America Online Inc. (NYSE: AOL) has now blocked iCast, a CMGI
Inc. (Nasdaq: CMGI) company, from accessing its AIM (AOL Instant
Messenger) program. iCast’s iCaster application combines a
multimedia player with messaging, using technology from Tribal
Voice, another CMGI firm.”
“Several companies, including AltaVista and AT&T Corp.
(NYSE: T), use Tribal Voice’s technology in their instant messaging
programs.”
“AOL has fiercely resisted attempts by unauthorized third
parties to interoperate with its AIM program. While the
company has agreed to license its software to some companies, it
has accused unauthorized companies of ‘hacking’ in their attempts
to work with the AIM program.”