Netscape gives out free versions Navigator/Communicator

Netscape Communications announced Thursday that it would allow users to download free copies of its Navigator Web browser and Communicator Internetsuite. Additionally, developers will be able to license the source code tothe next version of Communicator for free. This will allow third partiesto integrate Communicator into their own products more easily, and at nocost.

"The time is right for us to take the bold action of making our client free--and going even further by committing to post the source code for freefor Communicator 5.0," said CEO Jim Barksdale.

Netscape's Web browser has lost significant marketshare since Microsoftreleased its free Internet Explorer 3.0 browser in mid-1996. While it oncecommanded about 90% of the market for Web browsers, Navigator is now hovering around 50%, and it provides only 13% of Netscape's revenues.

In addition to giving out free Web clients, Netscape will also try to boostsales of its server products by offering discounts to Communicator users.The next version of Communicator will include free versions of the NetscapeSuiteSpot Standard Edition server suite while the Professional Version willbe bundled with Communicator Professional 5.0, which the company will sellat retail.

Netscape Communicator 5.0 Beta 1 is scheduled to be available by March 31,1998 on the Netscape Web site