Among other things, this is also about taking over the IM market. Yahoo+MSN together would be able to impose standards, and in case of acquisition the standards most likely will be closed or just partly open.
It is interesting that both MSN and Yahoo messengers are gaining customers largely based on the Eternal September effect. Once a user becomes more advanced, she usually abandons these toys and moves on to better tools. What I am trying to say is, an Eternal September-based market is shaky and if I were... well, whoever - I wouldn't bid on a shaky market. (But then maybe that's the reason I'm not "whoever" and I can't bid.)
It is interesting that both MSN and Yahoo messengers are gaining customers largely based on the Eternal September effect. Once a user becomes more advanced, she usually abandons these toys and moves on to better tools. What I am trying to say is, an Eternal September-based market is shaky and if I were... well, whoever - I wouldn't bid on a shaky market. (But then maybe that's the reason I'm not "whoever" and I can't bid.)