Microsoft Buys Netscape For $1 Billion, Sort Of

Remember Netscape, a little web browser that could not and how Microsoft had to pay AOL $750 million for abusing its monopoly power?

Do you remember when Microsoft tried to buy Netscape back in 1994? Turns out, Microsoft has finally realized its dream.

Why? Well, if you are a huge fan of Netscape web browser then we have some good news for you, in a deal worth just over $1 billion ($1.056 billion to be exact), Microsoft has acquired all the Netscape (and other) patents from AOL. Although not many details were revealed, other than the patent count (800), the transaction is expected to be finalized by the end of this year. However, don’t get too excited yet as the branding itself will remain the property of AOL.

“This is a valuable portfolio that we have been following for years and analyzing in detail for several months,” said Brad Smith, General Counsel and Executive Vice President, Legal and Corporate Affairs, Microsoft. “AOL ran a competitive auction and by participating, Microsoft was able to achieve our two primary goals: obtaining a durable license to the full AOL portfolio and ownership of certain patents that complement our existing portfolio.”

What could Microsoft possibly do with these patents? Let us know!