| Company |
Product or Service |
Transaction Description |
Year
|
Access Software | Developer of PC golf games. | Purchased company | 1999 |
Audible, Inc. | Internet Audio | $11 million equity investment. | 1999 |
AvantGo | Handheld Web software and device developer. | $14.7 million equity investment jointly with 3Com. | 1999 |
Banyan Systems | Developer of network software, including StreetTalk, BeyondMail and Vines. | Equity investment, $10 million employee training program | 1999 |
Cable and Wireless Communications (UK) | Television cable | Proposed $4 billion equity investment. | 1999 |
CareerBuilder | Job information on Internet | $17.8 million equity investment. | 1999 |
CompareNet, Inc. | Management of database products and shopping comparison guides, to be integrated into MSN Sidewalk online guide. | Purchased company | 1999 |
Concentic Network | ISP services WebTV for Microsoft. | $50 million equity investment and other joint initiatives. | 1999 |
Deutsche Telekom | Telecommunications, including telephone and cable. | Proposed $1 billion equity investment. | 1999 |
Dialogic | Computer telephony products | Purchased 5% share of company for $24.2 million and separate licenses of company's products. | 1999 |
Digital Entertainment Network (DEN) | Interactive Web entertainment | Equity investment | 1999 |
Equinix | Internet traffic exchange centers | Equity investment | 1999 |
Fasa Interactive | Game developer (Battletech, Mechwarrior) | Purchased company | 1999 |
Healtheon/Web MD | Internet delivery of health & medical information. | $250 million equity investment | 1999 |
ICL | Informations technology services | Expansion of strategic alliance to develop a wide variety of Windows-based corporate and consumer services. | 1999 |
Inprise (formerly Borlandl) | Developer tools, enterprise databases | $100 million to resolve patent dispute, $25 million (10%) equity investment. | 1999 |
Interactive Objects | Audio playback technology for handheld computers. | Purchased technology | 1999 |
Jump Networks Inc. | Web-based e-mail and calendar service. | Purchased company | 1999 |
Nextel Communications | Telecommunications, cellular telephones, pagers. | $600 million equity investment (4.25% of common stock); deal to integrate MSN connections into wireless devices. | 1999 |
NorthPoint Communications | High-speed digital subscriber line provider. | $30 million equity investment | 1999 |
NTL | The parent of UK's 3rd largest cable TV company, CableTel. | $500 million (5%) equity investment. | 1999 |
OmniBrowse Inc. | Wireless data services for handheld computers. | Purchased company | 1999 |
Portugal Telecom | Phone company of Portugal. | Strategic agreement to jointly develop interactive video and data services and $38.6 million equity investment. | 1999 |
Reciprocal | Internet music and media delivery | 10-15% equity investment | 1999 |
Rhythms NetConnections | High-speed Internet access | $30 million equity investment | 1999 |
Rogers Communications | Canadian cable television provider. | $400 million (US) equity investment, and agreements to provide digital broadcasting services via set-top boxes. | 1999 |
Sendit (Sweden) | Cell phone to Internet communictions software developer. | Purchased company for $120 million in cash. | 1999 |
ShadowFactor | Gaming software technology. | Purchaded company | 1999 |
Telewest | Largest television cable provider in the UK. | Equity investment (29.9%) | 1999 |
ThingWorld.com | Internet content delivery services | Investment | 1999 |
Transvirtual | Developers of Java programming lanugage clone "Kaffe." | Funded development of Kaffe. | 1999 |
Ubuy.com | Subsidiary of Interactive Technologies provides online services to households and businesses. | Purchased customer lists, deal to feature MSN on Ubuy.com's portal. | 1999 |
United Pan-Europe Communications N.V. | Cable systems owner in ten European countries and Israel. | Equity investment. | 1999 |
UPC | Dutch cable television and telephone company. | $300 million equity investment on the company's initial public offering; agreement to develop digital video, Internet, and Internet-based telephone services in Europe. | 1999 |
Waves | Audio technology developers. | License to use Waves "TrueVerb" technologies in future versions of Windows operating systems. | 1999 |
Wink Communications | Television viewer response | $30 milliion equity investment | 1999 |
Xerox | Digital and photo copier manufacturer. | Joint software development at Xerox PARC labs. | 1999 |
ZoomIt | Meta-directory software products developer. | Purchased company, integrate technologies into Microsoft Active Directory service of Windows 2000 Server. | 1999 |
British Royal Mail | The British Post Office | Joint venture, RelayOne project. | 1998 |
CMGI | Internet venture capitalists, with a wide variety of investments. | Equity investment | 1998 |
Firefly Network Inc. | Personalization software | Purchased company for approximately $40 million. | 1998 |
Flash Communications | Internet-based instant messaging and "buddy list" software. | Purchased company | 1998 |
General Magic | Developer of integrated voice and data applications. | Investment of $6 million in exchange for licensing technologies, including Serengeti, a computer network service to be integrated into Microsoft applications. | 1998 |
Headspace | Music creation software and music publisher. | Licensed "Beatnik" software for inclusion in WebTV. | 1998 |
Intergraph | Workstation manufacturer. | Licensed source code for its NFS client (DiskAccess/DiskShare) to Microsoft to promote Windows NT to UNIX interoperability. | 1998 |
Ioptics | Portable optical storage devices. | $9.5 million equity investment. | 1998 |
K-Tel | Leading repackager of "oldies" pop music hits. | Deal to include "K-Tel Express" online music and home video service on Microsoft's MSN Shopping network. | 1998 |
LinkExchange | Web-based advertising | Purchased company for between $200 and $265 million. | 1998 |
Mesa Group | Data and collaborative application migration services. | Purchased company | 1998 |
MetaCreations | Graphics software developers. | Licensed MetaStream 3D graphics file format and run-time engine for integration into future versions of Microsoft's DirectX application programming interface. | 1998 |
OpenPort | Internet faxing technology. | Equity investment | 1998 |
Pluto Technologies | Networking and other equipment for TV broadcasting. | Equity investment | 1998 |
Publishing and Broadcasting Ltd. | Australian media group. | $25 million joint venture contribution to create Internet service "Ninemsn." | 1998 |
QualComm | Cellular phone service provider. | $50 million joint venture to form new wireless communications company, Wireless Knowledge. | 1998 |
Quark, Inc. | Developers of desktop publishing software. | "Strategic alliance" in technology, business development, and joint sales and marketing. | 1998 |
Qwest Communications | Long-distance telephone carrier. | Purchased $200 million in common stock, representing a 1.33% equity investment. | 1998 |
Reservation Works LLC | Travel softwaredeveloper. | Equity investment | 1998 |
Roadrunner | High-speed cable Internet access. | 10% equity investment. | 1998 |
SaveSmart (now Prio) | E-commerce promotions. | Equity investment | 1998 |
ShareWave, Inc. | Home and multimedia networking products | Undisclosed portion of a $7.5 million equity investment with Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, among others | 1998 |
SyNet | Internet service provider. | Microsoft sued this holder of the "Internet Explorer" trademark in 1994, forcing it into bankruptcy. Though Microsoft settled for $5 million, SyNet closed its doors. | 1998 |
TCI | Largest U.S. cable TV provider. | 20% stake holder in Microsoft Network. TCI licensed Windows CE for use in set-top cable boxes. | 1998 |
Thomson Multimedia S.A. (France) | Multimedia and interactive TV. | 7.5% equity investment. | 1998 |
Valence Software | Load-balancing software for mail and web servers. | Purchased company. Valence's "Convoy Cluster" product becomes "Windows NT Load Balancing Service." | 1998 |
VenturCom | Embedded systems tools developer. | Technology license | 1998 |
Wireless Knowledge | Internet access for mobile users. | Equity investment (product of joint venture with QualComm). | 1998 |
Apple Computer, Inc. | Personal computer manufacturer. | $150 million equity investment, broad technology sharing agreement. | 1997 |
Cambridge University | Institution of higher education. | Invested $80 million to establish a basic research lab and $16 million in small technology companies mainly in the Cambridge area. | 1997 |
Citrix | Developers of connectivity software. | Agreed to purchase broad technology license for at least $175 million after threatening to release competing product. | 1997 |
Comcast | Fourth-largest television cable providers in the U.S. | $1 billion (11.5%) equity investment | 1997 |
Cooper & Peters | Developer of EyeOpener, a Java-based office productivity application. | Purchased company for in excess of $20 million, apparently for the purpose of removing EyeOpener from the market. | 1997 |
Digital Anvil | Action-story and action-strategy game developers. | Equity investment, including deal to work exclusively with Microsoft on PC and online game development. | 1997 |
Digital Sound | Communications equipment developer. | Purchased 446,250 shares of Series B stock for $3.3 million (32.4% stake). | 1997 |
Dimension X | Java Technology company with two internet-based Java products: Liquid Motion and Liquid Reality. | Purchased company | 1997 |
E-Stamp Corporation | Internet postage software developers. | Equity investment | 1997 |
eFusion | Internet applications gatesways developers. | Equity investment (along with France Telecom and Telecom Italia) and joint venture to develop technological standards for interconnecting home electronics and information appliances. | 1997 |
Elemental Software Inc. | E-commerce software developers. | Equity investment | 1997 |
Ensemble Studios | Strategy game developer. | Bought rights to "Age of Empires" game. | 1997 |
First Data Corp. | Banking industry services. | Joint venture to develop bill-presentation system, MSFDC. | 1997 |
Hotmail | Free e-mail service with 9.5 million subscribers. | Purchased company for perhaps as much as $400 million and incorporated it into Microsoft Network. | 1997 |
Individual, Inc. | Computer services company specializing in customized news and content delivery, including ClariNet. | Equity investment (7.4%, or over one million shares). | 1997 |
Infoseek | Internet search engine | Equity investment in exchange for preferential display of Microsoft products. | 1997 |
Inktomi | Search-engine software developer. | Licensed technology for use on Microsoft Network. | 1997 |
Insignia Solutions | Windows emulation software for RISC microprocessors. | Purchased software | 1997? |
Interse | Website-tracking software developer. | Purchased company | 1997 |
Lernout & Hauspie | Belgian speech technology firm. | Equity investment ($45 million for 1,450,210 shares in stock). | 1997 |
LinkAge Software | Email connectivity and directory synchronization software. | Purchased company | 1997 |
Liquid Audio | Audio streaming technology developers. | Joint promotion of products and technology; Liquid Audio adopts Microsoft's NetShow streaming media technology and Advanced Streaming Format. | 1997 |
Navitel | Developer of network telephone technologies, including Navitel ScreenPhone. | Equity investment accompanied by annoucement that Navitel will begin developing software for Windows CE. | 1997 |
RealNetworks (formerly Progressive Networks) | Leading streaming media software developer (Real Audio and Real Video). | $30 million (10%) equity investment, license to use Real Audio and Real Video in NetShow. | 1997 |
Trados GmbH | German language translation software developer. | Equity investment? | 1997 |
Tut Systems | Developers of "HomeRun," a "smart house" technology. | Equity investment and joint venture to develop technological standards for interconnecting home electronics and information appliances. | 1997 |
US West Communications | Telecommunications conglomerate | $1 billion equity investment in cable operations. | 1997 |
VXtreme | Streaming media software developer. | Purchased company for an estimated $75 million. | 1997 |
WebTV Networks | TV set-top Internet device manufacturer. | Purchased company for $425 million. | 1997 |
Wildfire Communications | Advanced telephone voice-mail systems. | Equity investment, somewhere under $12 million. | 1997 |
aha! Software | Developer of InkWriter, a pen-based mobile computing technology and patent-holder on handwriting recognition technologies. | Purchased company | 1996 |
Aspect Engineering | Developer of Internet tools and technologies. | Purchased company | 1996 |
Black Entertainment Television | Entertainment and television cable company. | Joint venture, called MSBET. | 1996 |
Colusa | Developer of object-oriented programming software for the Internet. | Purchased company | 1996 |
dbWeb | Web database producer. | Purchased company | 1996? |
Electric Gravity | Internet Gaming Zone creator. | Purchased company, then immediately announced that the IGZ would be accessible only to Windows users. The site was subsequently restricted to users of Internet Explorer. | 1996 |
ENTEX Information Services | Company that handles most of Microsoft's help-desk activities. | Equity investment | 1996 |
eShop | Internet-commerce software developer. | Purchased company | 1996 |
EXOS | Developer of software for game-control devices. | Purchased company | 1996 |
Gameworks | Video game parlors | Joint venture with Sega and Dreamworks SKG. | 1996 |
Helicon Publishing Ltd. | Multimedia encyclopedia publishers (UK). | Equity investment | 1996 |
MTel (SkyTel Communication) | Two-way pager services and other communications equipment. | Equity investment | 1996 |
NetCarta | Developer of WebMapper, a website management tool. | Purchased company | 1996 |
Panorama Software | Database software integration developers. | Aquired OLAP technology | 1996 |
Proginet | Developers of "HostOffice," Mainframe to PC integration software. | Equity investment, technology transfer and marketing agreement. | 1996 |
ResNova Software | Developer of Macintosh Internet technologies. | Purchased company | 1996 |
SingleTrac Entertainment | Games developer. | Equity investment | 1996 |
Tandem | Manufacturers of credit card and ATM transation hardware and software. | Equity investment, cross-licensing. | 1996 |
VDOnet Corp. | Internet digital video delivery. | Equity investment | 1996 |
Verisign | Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and digital certificate solutions developers. | Equity investment | 1996 |
Vermeer Technologies Inc. | Developer of hypertext (World Wide Web) editing software. | Purchased company for between $80-100 million; Vermeer became Microsoft FrontPage. | 1996 |
Wang Labs | Document imaging and workflow company. | Equity investment of 10% ($90 million) to settle lawsuit in which Wang claimed Microsoft's OLE technology infringed their patents. As part of settlement, Wang imaging software is now part of Windows 95 OSR2 and NT 4.0 SP3. | 1996 |
Spyglass | Web browser software application. | Purchased software, which became Internet Explorer. In 1997 Spyglass alleged that Microsoft was withholding royalty payments and requested an audit. In 1999, a $20 million deal to develop browser technology for WindowsCE. | 1995, 1999 |
BAO (Bruce Artwick Organization) | Developer of Microsoft Flight Simulator and Flight Shop, a Flight Simulator add-on. | Purchased company, canceled U.S. distribution of Flight Shop. | 1995 |
Bettman Archives | World's largest collection of historical and news photographs. | Purchased company, integrated collection into Corbus, a company owned by Bill Gates. | 1995 |
Blue Ribbon Soundworks, Ltd. | Developer of SuperJam, EasyKeys and other MIDI music products for Amiga, OS/2 and Windows. | Purchased company. EasyKeys for OS/2 and Amiga products discontinued soon after. | 1995 |
Dare to Dream Entertainment | unknown | Purchased company | 1995 |
Digital | unknown | Equity investment | 1995 |
DreamWorks SKG | Film and entertainment company formed by Steven Spielberg, et. al. | Joint venture | 1995 |
National Broadcasting Company | U.S. television network. | Joint venture to create the MSNBC news service on the Internet and cable television. | 1995 |
Netwise | Mainframe/midrange connectivity company. | Purchased company | 1995 |
Network Managers Inc. | Network managment software. | Purchased SNMP technology | 1995 |
RenderMorphics, Ltd. | 3d graphics software developer, including Reality Lab. | Purchased company | 1995 |
Stac | Developer of Stacker file compression software. | After a failed attempt to license Stacker for DOS 6.0, Microsoft developed a similar product which infringed on Stac's patents. Stac was awarded $120 million in damages, which was partially settled with an investment in Stac by Microsoft. | 1995 |
UUNET Technolgies | Major Internet backbone and service provider. | Equity investment | 1995 |
Vanstar (now Inacom) | Technology sevices provider. | Equity investment | 1995 |
Alamira | Developer of Composer, a graphics software application. | Purchased company | 1994 |
NextBase Ltd. | Digital mapping company, developers of Autoroute Express. | Purchased company | 1994 |
OneTree Software | Publisher of SourceSafe software. | Shortly after SourceSafe's release, Microsoft pre-announced a similar application called Microsoft Delta, which failed to sell. Microsoft then purchased OneTree and renamed SourceSafe as Microsoft Visual SourceSafe. | 1994 |
Softimage | 3d graphics applications developer. | Purchased company ; eventually discontinued development of non-Windows products, then sold company in 1999. | 1994 |
Visa International | Credit card company. | Joint venture to create Internet banking transaction technology standards. | 1994 |
Webcorp | Web peer-to-peer network operating system. | Purchased software and hired developers. | 1993 |
Fox Software | Developer of database software FoxBase, became FoxPro. | Purchased company | 1992 |
Cooper Software | Developer of Ruby, the foundation for Visual Basic. | Purchased software | 1991 |
Dorling Kindersley, Ltd. | Book publisher and international packager. | 26% equity investment in exchange for rights to multimedia titles. | 1991 |
Symantec (formerly Peter Norton) | Operating system utilities developer | Speed Disk and defragmentation technologies for DOS 6.x, Windows 3.x and Windows 9.x were based on the products purchased or licensed from Peter Norton. | 1991? |
Z-Nix | Mouse manufacturer for PCs. | Agreement to bundle "Super Mouse" with Windows resulted in antitrust suit when Microsoft attempted to double its royalty charges. | 1990 |
ZSoft | Graphics software developer. | Purchased Paintbrush software to bundle with Windows 3.0. | 1990 |
Micrographx | Developer of graphics software applications. | Initially offered to purchase software, but instead created similar product after viewing source code for Micrographx's product. | 1989? |
The Santa Cruz Operation (SCO) | Owners of the OS source code that began as AT&T UNIX. | 11.5% equity investment. | 1989? |
3Com | Communications and networking hardware and software. | Joint venture to produce LAN Manager, networking software for OS/2, ended in huge losses for 3Com. | 1989 |
Ashton-Tate | Developers of dBase database software. | Joint venture to develop OS/2 database ended in acrimony. | 1988 |
Sybase | Software code, modified to produce Microsoft SQL Server 6.0 | Purchased software | 1988 |
Forethought, Inc. | Presentation graphics software, became PowerPoint. | Purchased company | 1987 |
Dynamical Systems | Multitasking software developer. | Purchased company, products integrated into Windows. | 1986 |
Lattice | Developer of Lattice C code compiler, became Visual C++ | Purchased software | 1983? |
IBM | Computer manufacturer. | Variety of business relationships, including MS-DOS and OS/2. | 1981- |
Seattle Computer Products | Developer of 86Q-DOS operating system software, which became MS-DOS. | Purchased software for $50,000, but later was sued and paid the company a nearly $1 million settlement. | 1981 |
AT&T | Telecommunications | Licensed Unix to develop Microsoft Xenix, though the actual coding was subcontracted to SCO, Inc.; Proposed $5 billion equity investment. | 1980, 1999 |
Atomic Games | Developers of Close Combat action game. | Purchased software | ? |
