Skype Technologies

Skype Technologies S.A.R.L (also known as Skype Software S.A.R.L, Skype Communications S.A.R.L, Skype Inc. and Skype Limited) is a telecommunications company headquartered in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg and Redmond, Washington, United States, whose chief business is the manufacturing and marketing of the instant messaging computer software program Skype, and various Internet telephony services associated with it.Microsoft Corporation purchased the company in 2011, and it has since then operated as their wholly owned subsidiary; however, the software continues to be licensed and operated by Skype Technologies. The company is a Société à responsabilité limitée, or SARL, equivalent to an American limited liability company.

Skype, a voice over IP (VoIP) service, was first released in 2003 as a way to make free computer-to-computer calls, or reduced-rate calls from a computer to telephones. Support for paid services such as calling landline/mobile phones from Skype (formerly called SkypeOut), allowing landline/mobile phones to call Skype (formerly called SkypeIn and now Skype Number), and voice messaging generates the majority of Skype's revenue.