| eBayNews | 06-04-2009 07:20 AM |
eBay UK Discontinues Skype Buttons in Listings
http://www.auctionbytes.com/cab/abn/...ages/skype.jpgeBay UK is discontinuing Skype voice and chat buttons in listings as of June 10, 2009, in what the company calls an effort to remove features with limited buyer and seller usage. eBay had been ambivalent about the buttons from the beginning due to concerns over the potential for members to conduct off-eBay transactions.
Former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, who is running for Governor of California, said yesterday on the campaign trail that eBay has "taken a lot of grief" for the Skype purchase. However, she still thinks it was a good move. eBay acquired the VoIP service in 2005 for $2.6 billion in up-front cash and eBay stock.
eBay's new CEO John Donahoe announced in April plans to spin off Skype beginning with an initial public offering (IPO) that is intended to be completed in the first half of 2010.
Link to announcement
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