Skype Mum On Reports Of Possible $3 Billion Acquisition By EBay
Posted by
W. David Gardner
September 08, 2005
Skype Technologies on Thursday declined to comment on reports that it's in talks with eBay, under which the online auction giant would buy the VoIP provider for a price tag of $2 billion to $3 billion.
That stance marked an about-face from Skype's position of only a week ago, when it flatly stated that it wasn’t for sale.
Skype on Thursday also released a new suite of services called the Skype Voice Services Program, which includes some features that could be attractive to online auctioneer eBay. The Skype program calls for opening its VoIP universe to content providers to develop applications of interest to the firm’s 53 million users.
Both Skype and eBay have enjoyed close relations with Silicon Valley venture capital firm Draper, Fisher, Jurvetson. The VC company is a major investor in Skype and in past years has participated in financings with eBay.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that unnamed sources said discussions between Skype and eBay were centered around a $2 to $3 billion price tag. Rupert Murdoch’s New York Post floated a $5 billion figure. Earlier media reports had Skype discussing acquisition with Murdoch’s News Corp, as well as with Microsoft and Yahoo.
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