REDMOND, Wash. - Dec. 7, 1995 - Microsoft Corp. and Oracle Corp. today announced they are collaborating on Internet development and publishing technologies to allow for richer and more active Web content. Under the agreement the companies are cross-licensing technology to deliver standard scripting and programming features in their respective Internet software products.

Oracle will license Visual Basic® Script from Microsoft to include in its Macintosh® and Windows® operating system-compatible Oracle PowerBrowser™ products. Microsoft will license Oracle PowerBrowser OCX software and distribute it to Microsoft's third-party developer customers for their use. With support for OLE Controls, Oracle PowerBrowser OCX is the industry's first embeddable Web browser.

"We are excited to work with Oracle," said John Ludwig, vice president of the personal systems division at Microsoft. "By licensing the PowerBrowser OCX, Microsoft and Oracle can enable developers to bring dynamic and active content to the Web."

"The combination of Visual Basic Script and support for OLE Controls enables Oracle and Microsoft customers to build customized, Web-enabled software," said Marc Benioff, senior vice president of Oracle Web/workgroup systems. "We are combining the best of traditional client-server applications, which offer powerful interactivity and database connectivity, with the breadth, ease-of-use and openness of the Internet. This builds on Oracle's core competency - delivering any data from any server over any network to any client."

Visual Basic Script allows developers to create, link and automate a wide variety of objects in Web pages, including OLE components and Java applets. It's a fully compatible subset of the Microsoft® Visual Basic programming system, enabling developers to leverage their current investment and knowledge of Visual Basic easily as they move to the Internet. Visual Basic Script is a fully open and cross-platform solution freely available without royalty for the Windows® 95, Windows NT™ Workstation and Macintosh operating systems. A reference is available on the Internet to enable third-party implementation on other platforms.

OLE Controls extend the functionality of OLE-enabled software to the Internet. Millions of computer users already use OLE software that integrates functions from multiple applications into powerful new combinations. Thousands of developers can easily leverage their existing knowledge of OLE to create and use OLE Controls for the Internet.

The Oracle PowerBrowser OCX software also covered by the agreement is based on Oracle's recently announced PowerBrowser technology. It allows any independent software developer to embed Web browsers into a broad range of applications easily for instant access to timely information via the Internet or Intranet corporate Web networks. The software allows developers using Microsoft Visual Basic to build a new class of applications that integrate traditional software with Web-based information. ISVs will be able to use and redistribute Oracle PowerBrowser OCX free of charge and without royalty.

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.

Microsoft, Visual Basic, Windows and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer Inc.

Oracle PowerBrowser is a trademark of Oracle Corp.

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Microsoft Windows Internet Information Server site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows