Red Hat buys technology from Netscape

SEATTLE: Linux distributor Red Hat Inc. said that it had bought Netscape's computer user identification and management technology from America Online Inc., a unit of Time Warner Inc.

Raleigh, North Carolina-based Red Hat, which provides update and support services for the Linux operating system, said it will integrate the assets from Netscape Security Solutions into its products in the next 6 to 12 months.

The technology purchased by Red Hat for an undisclosed amount is used to manage user profiles in large corporate networks.

Red Hat is focusing its efforts on selling more of its update and support services to large companies that are using Linux, a software operating system that can be copied and modified freely, unlike proprietary software such as Microsoft Corp.'s Windows.

Netscape was bought by AOL which later merged with Time Warner.