Heres a possible slogan for Microsoft Corp.: If you cant beat em, join the guys who are having the same problem. Microsoft struck two deals this week with sometime adversaries aimed in part at taking on mutual competitors.

Those partnerships with RealNetworks Inc. and Yahoo Inc. could signal a return to Microsofts roots of successfully challenging IBM by finding the right allies, analysts say. And both show how seriously Microsoft takes competitors, including Google Inc. and Apple Computer Inc.

Microsoft grew to a point where they thought they were big enough they could weather any storm, said analyst Rob Enderle. I think theyve been reminded recently that nobodys really big enough.

RealNetworks, the Seattle-based digital media company, on Tuesday announced a broad partnership with longtime nemesis Microsoft that also settles all the companys antitrust complaints. A series of agreements to share technology and promote each others products could better position both companies to fight against Apples market-leading iPod player and iTunes music service.

Business is all about rivalry and being one better than your competitor but if this story is anything to go by things are changing…

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