August 9, 1999 Web posted at: 10:01 a.m. EDT (1401 GMT) by Nancy Weil

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(IDG) -- The instant messaging fracas took another turn Friday when EarthLink Network Inc. and MindSpring Enterprises Inc. announced they will distribute co-branded versions of America Online Inc.'s (AOL's) Instant Messenger, making the software available to another 2.5 million users.

AOL's Instant Messenger, called AIM by the company, will allow subscribers of rival ISPs (Internet service providers) EarthLink and MindSpring to trade real-time online messages across networks. EarthLink and MindSpring subscribers will become part of the 28 million-strong global AIM community. EarthLink, in Pasadena, California, has 1.3 million users and MindSpring, in Atlanta, has 1.2 million.

Ironically, the "hot news" section of MindSpring's home page includes a link titled "Make the Switch to MindSpring and Escape AOL" which leads to a page detailing all the reasons why MindSpring is better than AOL. The content bar at the top of that page says "Toss AOL! Get MindSpring!" The page also notes that MindSpring subscribers can use AIM, as well as other messaging software.

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"I think there are a lot of different people in this space," Erika Jolly, vice president of consumer products for Atlanta-based MindSpring said when asked about the company's page. "People leave AOL services and we'd like to encourage them to switch over to MindSpring."

MindSpring likely isn't the only company that advocates tossing AOL, which has recently become embroiled with Microsoft Corp. The software maker recently released MSN Messenger, announcing it would interoperate with AIM. Yahoo Inc. followed suit. AOL wasn't pleased.

Microsoft and Yahoo messaging software communicated with AIM by accessing user AIM passwords, which AOL deemed a breach of security. AOL also took umbrage over the rival messaging software accessing its servers. AOL denied access to its networks, but Microsoft tried to circumvent AOL's attempts by posting new versions of its messaging software.

Microsoft, Yahoo and other vendors wrote a letter to AOL Chief Executive Officer Steve Case asking to meet so they could discuss an industry standard for instant messaging. AOL responded by creating an advisory board stacked with Microsoft critics and chief rivals and announced deals with Lotus Development Corp. and Apple Computer Inc. for interoperability between messaging software from those vendors.

MindSpring "absolutely" intends to stay out of the brouhaha, Jolly said today, adding "We'll let those other guys handle that."

The deal with AOL was forged because it will give users a better overall online experience, she said. EarthLink President and CEO Garry Betty expressed the same sentiment in a written statement.