Bill Gates now looking at Universal music:

Microsoft has expressed interest in buying Vivendi's Universal Music Group, setting up a possible bidding war between the software maker and rival Apple Computer, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Microsoft's interest is said to be at the level of "poking around, kicking the tires," but it has indeed had conversations with Vivendi executives about buying the music division, sources said.

The unit is the world's largest record company.

The music and technology worlds were abuzz yesterday after a published report revealed that Apple, and its technology maven CEO Steve Jobs, is weighing a bid for Universal Music.

....Apple's interest is said to be stronger than Microsoft's - but Microsoft might intensify its interest as an April 29 Vivendi board meeting approaches. At that meeting, Vivendi is expected to weigh a variety of proposals for selling its U.S. entertainment assets, which include a movie studio, theme parks and television properties. [NY Post]

Rapacious convicted monopolist Gates taking over the world's largest record company? Hmm. Hey Bill, I hear Steve Jobs is interested in Blogcritics - care to make a bid?