RealNetworks pursues alliance with Apple

Internet media company RealNetworks is pursuing a digital music alliance with Apple Computer, The New York Times said on Thursday.

RealNetworks offered to create a "tactical alliance" with Apple in an April 9 e-mail from the company's Chief Executive Rob Glaser, the Times said. The message to Apple Chairman Steve Jobs was obtained by the Times from a person close to Apple.

If Apple is not interested in a tie-up with RealNetworks, the Times said Glaser "strongly hinted" in his e-mail that he may team up with Microsoft Corp. to pursue what the message called "very interesting opportunities".

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Officials at RealNetworks and Apple were not immediately available to comment.

The European Union's decision in March to fine Microsoft a record 497.2 million euros ($611 million) marked a victory for the software giant's competitors, RealNetworks said at the time.

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RealNetworks is one of the main companies to gain from the European Commission ruling that Microsoft must offer computer makers in Europe a version of its Windows operating system without Microsoft's music and video-playing software wrapped in.

Apple has been an early front-runner in the online music downloading industry with its Itunes music store.

Glaser told Reuters last week that RealNetworks was talking to computer makers about how they could include Real's software in the wake of the European Commission's ruling.