Skype (Skype Technologies S.à r.l.)

Skype is a telecommunications application originally developed to provide peer-to-peer voice calling, video calling, and instant messaging over the internet. The technology and brand were created by Niklas Zennström and Janus Friis in 2003, and the original operating company was incorporated in Luxembourg (commonly referenced as Skype Technologies S.à r.l. or historically Skype Technologies S.A.). Skype popularized VoIP calling for consumers and small businesses and became widely used for cross-border voice and video communications.

After a series of ownership changes (acquired by eBay in 2005, later purchased by private investors, and ultimately acquired by Microsoft in 2011), Skype has been integrated into Microsoft's communications and consumer product portfolio. Today the Skype brand and services continue to offer voice and video calls, messaging, screen sharing, and conference features across desktop, mobile, and web platforms, while some enterprise features have been folded into...