Seems like if they were closer he would've met with her in person or called her on the phone to discuss options. The "Open Letter" is something you do when all other options are exhausted.

Prince can just call up Madonna. Anytime. This is a business. They have agencies,representation, and lawyers. Trust me the open letter was meant for our eyes more than Madonna's. It was a stunt, and the Wyclef thing is hilarious and a respoonse to Wyclef having (at the time) mocked him for a few seconds on MTV... "purple rain"

An "open letter" I'll believe it whaen I see it.

January 10, 1999:

Open Letter 2 Madonna

from The Artist:

Madonna: artist 2 artist, eye am sure u understand the connection eye
feel 2 my music. U more than any1 at Time Warner knows the patience
and care with which we give birth 2 creation... and u maybe moreso
than any1 knows how much a new artist longs 2 find a place amongst
"the chosen few" 2 flaunt those creations (and at the same time put
food on one's table). Music lawyers, managers and execs make deals
best suited 4 their futures as well as urs in most cases... OWNERSHIP
OF MASTER RECORDINGS IS ALMOST NEVER AN ISSUE! (let's remember, it was
1978!)

Eye dreamt of u and eye at the Grammy Awards and felt a need 2 write
this letter 2 u. In my dream, eye approached u and asked u if u
remembered me, and u said "sure"... u were on ur way up 2 receive 1 of
numerous awards u will no doubt receive that night, and eye asked u 2
help me with my fight 2 retain ownership of my legacy and u said, "eye
don't own ur masters, Time Warner does... if it was my company, u
could have them."

"But eye say 2 u, dear sister, it IS ur company as long as u remain in
their graces... 4 all Artists, Madonna, make a stand 4 what is
RIGHT... surely they will listen 2 u!" In the dream u seemed 2 feel me
and yet u were a bit non-committal... so as u approached the podium,
eye followed u, and as we stood side by side, eye said, "b glad this a
commercial break!" and eye walked offstage and looked 4 Wyclef.
Interpretations aside, artist 2 artist, "U Can Help Us... and eye know
u will becuz u REMEMBER ME."