Google to buy Skype?

Rumors have begun circulating that eBay is actively looking to offload Skype and that search engine giant Google is a willing buyer.

Skype, which was purchased by the auction company in 2005 for $3.1 billion USD, has not shown eBay the growth it expected and now it seems the company would rather get rid of it then continue to try to turn a profit. For fiscal 2007, the VoIP service recorded a decent sized loss which led to the ousting of CEO Niklas Zennstrom.

It is not sure whether Google wants a partnership or to purchase the company, but both eBay and Google refused comment for the time being.

More information as it becomes available.

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Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 4 Apr 2008 18:53

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4 comments

21Q

Not much to say really. I don't really like Skype to much because I have to pay to use the calling service. I didn't know that Ebay owned Skype though.

4.4.2008 19:30 #1

navi1199

if this keeps up google is going to end up buying everything out.

4.4.2008 20:10 #2

nobrainer

Great at least google will take the fight to the ISP's on net neutrality and the current flavour to block the p2p protocol that skype utilises.

and everyone thought that p2p blocking was about piracy omg those big telecoms see the potential for a huge fall in revenue if VoIP takes off.

The BPI Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.

The RIAA Soundexchange Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, EMI.

The IFPI Are: The same anti consumer lot as listed above!

The MPAA Are: SONY, UNIVERSAL, WARNER GROUP, DISNEY, PARAMOUNT, FOX.

How do you stop anti consumer = its easy purchase only second hand media and avoid their propertarian hobbled by DRM hardware! http://www.boycott-riaa.com/

5.4.2008 00:59 #3

H0bbes

Originally posted by nobrainer: Great at least google will take the fight to the ISP's on net neutrality and the current flavour to block the p2p protocol that skype utilises.

and everyone thought that p2p blocking was about piracy omg those big telecoms see the potential for a huge fall in revenue if VoIP takes off.That's a good point. If Comcast and the others keep up their p2p shenanigans, they may have some voip companies join the legal battle against them.

5.4.2008 15:34 #4

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