Sony to use RealNetworks in laptops, music players

SEATTLE: Sony Corp. and Internet media software maker RealNetworks Inc. said

on Monday they have forged a deal in which Sony will use RealNetworks' software

in portable music players and Vaio laptop computers.

As part of the deal, RealNetworks will include Sony's ATRAC3 technology in

RealNetworks' RealSystem 8, which is used to disseminate audio and video over

the Internet, the companies said. RealNetworks will also license Sony's OpenMG

copyright protection technology.

RealNetworks closed at $22 in Friday's Nasdaq trading, up nearly 16 per cent,

or $3 from the previous close.

Shares reached a high of $96 in February and a 52-week low of $10-1/8 last

Wednesday, a day after it disclosed that fourth quarter advertising revenue

would be lower than the third quarter.

(C) Reuters Limited 2000.