(Liberate Technologies, San Mateo, CA) A software company that specialized in the information appliance field. Formerly Network Computer, Inc. (NCI), a spin-off from Oracle in 1996, it changed its name in 1999. The company initially promoted the NC Reference Profile specification, later turned over to The Open Group. Liberate provided client and server software for satellite, cable, telco, ISP and corporations to deliver thin computing services. In 2005 the company declared bankruptcy and sold its North American assets to Cox Communications and Comcast Corporation. See network computer.