Sun, Microsoft enter distribution tie-up

CALIFIORNIA, USA: Sun Microsystems, a provider in IT services, announced on Wednesday that it has entered in to a distribution agreement with Microsoft to offer all US-based Internet Explorer users the option of installing the Live Search-powered MSN toolbar when they download the Java Runtime Environment (JRE).

The toolbar would not be automatically upgraded for existing customers and the customers who have already downloaded Java would be offered the option to install the MSN Toolbar when they upgrade to the latest Java version, said a press release.

Internet Explorer users downloading Sun's JRE would also have the option to download the MSN toolbar and get one-click access to Live Search features including news, entertainment and sports from the MSN network, it added.

They users would also get direct access to Windows Live Hotmail and Windows Live Messenger.

“This agreement with Sun Microsystems is another important milestone in our strategy to secure broad-scale distribution for our search offering," said Yusuf Mehdi, Senior vice-president, Online Audience Business, Microsoft.

He added that vast array of Java software-based web applications that are downloaded every month, this deal would expose Live Search to millions more Internet users and drive increased volume for the search advertisers.

Jonathan Schwartz, CEO, Sun Microsystems, said, “This deal would be one of the most valuable distribution deals ever struck in the industry and it likely makes Microsoft one of Sun's largest customers. It'll also set the stage for an even more interesting auction next year, as more and more folks realize the value of retail distribution.”