Twitter rules out mergers, buyout

US microblogging service Twitter is eager to partner with other companies, including search giant Google Inc, but it is not considering a merger or buyout, the company's co-founder said.

Biz Stone said that Twitter aims to figure out a revenue model in 2009, an acceleration of its previous 2010 timetable, as the company seeks to demonstrate its staying power even as a slew of technology start-ups go belly up in the weak economy.

But, he stressed, Twitter does not need the financial security of a larger, parent company as it has the potential to develop a financially viable business model.