AOL Outrages Bounty Hunt
BetaNews | at | by Mike
Microsoft spokesperson Vivek Varma downplayed Redmond's involvement in such exclusionary practices, telling BetaNews that "Like AOL, we may enter into co-marketing deals with OEMs to promote MSN to mutual customers. Unlike AOL we will not pay OEMs to exclude competing Internet access offers."
According to internal documents viewed by BetaNews, the amount AOL pays its partners largely depends, and is occasionally tiered, on registration volume. The higher the number of signups, the more money PC makers receive. Budget computer manufacturer eMachines is involved in such a tiered bounty with AOL.
Dell seemingly holds the largest deal, with an immediate $70 bonus upon registration and $3.50 per month once the 120 day mark is reached. In exchange for the hefty bounty, Dell guarantees a minimum commitment of 200,000 signups. Similarly, Toshiba receives a lesser $65 initial bounty and $1.50 revenue share.