Spotlight: Microsoft Forms Alliance With Liquid Audio

Microsoft Corp. said it formed an alliance with Redwood City-based Internet music provider Liquid Audio in the software giant’s latest bid to unify media “streaming� standards, which allows users to download video and audio. Liquid Audio will adopt Microsoft’s technology, and Microsoft will promote Liquid Audio’s system on its Web site and work to integrate the company’s products with its electronic commerce software. Liquid Audio said no money changed hands in the deal.