Netscape Ups The Ante

Netscape Communications Corp., fighting to regain ground in the browser war against Microsoft, on Thursday took a weapon from its rival’s arsenal: Its Navigator software is now free.

Netscape said it will let computer makers and Internet service providers distribute Navigator without restriction. It also is encouraging computer users to download the software from the Internet without charge.

The no-charge policies also apply to Communicator, a suite of business programs that includes the browser.