DailyTech

"A new report released Wednesday in the Wall Street Journal indicates that Microsoft expressed interest in acquiring Facebook, the second largest social network, painting a more interesting picture of the waning talks with Yahoo.  Microsoft already owns a $240M USD, 1.6 percent stake in the company.  A full acquisition could be valued at $15B USD or more.

According to the reporter, Microsoft's bankers subtly inquired about Facebook's interest in a possible full acquisition.  The talks were first made public by All Things Digital, a website owned by publisher Dow Jones, which also owns the Wall Street Journal. Microsoft's spokespeople did not make themselves immediately available for comment on the report.  Facebook spokeswoman Brandee Barker also refused comments.

The report indicates that no current talks are going on between the two companies, as apparently Microsoft was rebuffed.  Facebook is one of the hottest internet properties, founded in 2004 by Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg.  The site has over 70 million registered users and boasts high site loyalty and traffic volume.  Zuckerberg in the past has opposed selling the whole company, working instead to develop partnerships and move toward an initial public offering.

It is unclear exactly where the comments fall in the chronology of Microsoft's online dealings, but it appears that they were made before Gates comments on Wednesday.  Perhaps Microsoft only decided to go it alone after being rejected by Facebook, if the reports are to be believed."

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