Business Wars Browser Wars - An Offer They Can’t Refuse | 4
Dec 6, 2018
Marc Andreessen, co-author of Mosaic, discusses how Bill Gates and Microsoft are threatened by the rise of the internet, leading to fierce competition in the browser wars of the mid-90s. The podcast delves into the negotiations, legal battles, and strategic moves made by both Netscape and Microsoft to dominate the market.
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Gates' Bold Proposal to Netscape
- In June 1995, Bill Gates visits Netscape headquarters to propose a business relationship, asking Netscape to limit competition in exchange for investment.
- Netscape's Jim Clark and Marc Andreessen reject the offer, suspecting a threat to their independence and market share.
Netscape Settles Mosaic Lawsuit
- Netscape faces a lawsuit from University of Illinois claiming its browser copies Mosaic, Andreessen's earlier creation.
- Netscape settles by dropping 'Mosaic' from its name and paying $3 million or shares to the university, avoiding a costly legal battle.
Netscape Navigator 2.0 Launch Success
- Netscape releases version 2.0 of its Navigator browser in December 1994 with a celebratory launch.
- The browser quickly gains millions of users globally through word-of-mouth without marketing.