Paul Allen, co-founder with Bill Gates of Microsoft Corp and chairman of Asymetrix Corp, says he may seek to acquire America Online Inc, currently the hottest competitor for the IBM Corp-Sears, Roebuck & Co Prodigy Services Co viewdata offering. The company’s shares jumped $3.875 to $30.125 on Monday on the news. Allen already holds a 24.9% stake in the company, and said he might seek representation on the board and also might buy additional shares, adding that America Online’s adoption of a shareholder rights plan to fend off hostile takeovers, has caused him to reconsider his position as a passive investor in the firm.
