RealNetworks has expected for some time that Microsoft would sell its shares in RealNetworks as the two parties came to a full on slagging match earlier in the year. Or, as the press release puts says, “it became clear that the two companies’ business strategies were not aligned.”

RealNetworks has just launched the RealSystem G2 software to much fanfare. And with new technology and distribution partners such as Intel, Lotus, America Online and Netscape, why would you need Microsoft away?

As the Boss Man of RealNetworks, Inc., Rob Glaser puts it: “In the past year the streaming media market has really taken off. We’re very pleased with our continued 85% market share of streaming media Web pages, growth from 12 million to 38 million users, and 100% revenue growth over the past year. Microsoft’s action is further validation of the importance and tremendous potential of the streaming media market. In the past three and a half years there have been many competitors in the streaming media market including Microsoft. We have continued to dramatically grow our business and deliver the products most people choose to standardise on.”

http://www.real.com/