AOL: Steve Makes Case for Dividing Time Warner

BUSINESS/TECHNOLOGY

COMMENTARY
In a story that was once near and dear to my stock options, Steve Case says it's time to clean up the mess he helped make with the AOL -- Time Warner merger.

Where would the Web be now if not for that silly merger?

NEWSBYTE
It's Time to Take It Apart
By Steve Case
(Washington Post) There has been a lot of speculation about what Time Warner should do to increase its lagging stock price, and the media giant appears to be nearing a decision on the future of one of the Washington area's most significant enterprises: AOL. Although I played a key role in bringing AOL and Time Warner together six years ago, it's now my view that it would be best to "undo" the merger by splitting Time Warner into several independent companies and allowing AOL to set off on its own path. Here's why. Read full story.

RELATED
AOL Co-Founder Calls for Split of Time Warner
(NYT) As Time Warner nears a decision on a big alliance with Google or Microsoft for its America Online unit, Stephen M. Case, the co-founder of AOL, has spoken out against the plan, aligning himself with the thinking of the financier Carl C. Icahn, who has pushed for a breakup of Time Warner. Read full story.

Icahn warns Time Warner about 'errors in judgment'
(CNET) Investor Carl Icahn, who is organizing a proxy battle for control of Time Warner warned the media conglomerate on Wednesday against any "egregious error in judgment" for any deal it plans for its America Online unit. Read full story.

AOL's Steve Case Adds Pressure to Parsons With Call for Breakup
Dec. 12 (Bloomberg) -- Steve Case, architect of the $112 billion merger of Time Warner Inc. and America Online, joined Carl Icahn in pressing for a breakup of the company. Read full story.

TENSION: Web 2.0
GRAVITY: Flat stock price

Tags: News, Computers and Internet, technology, America Online, AOL, New Media, online, Web2.0, Web 2.0, Microsoft, Yahoo, Politics