CADE approves acquisition of Skype by Microsoft

On the trial session of 3rd of April, 2013, the Tribunal of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense approved the acquisition of 100% of Skype Global shares by Microsoft Corporation. Both companies sell software that allows users to exchange text, voice and video messages in real time through the internet.

The acquisition will enable the integration of Skype with the products and services that Microsoft offers to consumers, such as Windows Live Messenger and Hotmail.

The parties informed Cade that after the approval of the transaction, Skype will continue to be offered to consumers for free. Additionally, Microsoft affirmed that there will be no harm to other companies that offer products with the same characteristic and purpose and the use of Skype will be expanded to television and other platforms and devices such as Xbox and Kinect.

The case reporting commissioner (Merger file no. 08012.006188/2011-33), Elvino Mendonça de Carvalho, found that Skype market share is not significant as compared to the instant messengers market via internet communicators.

The transaction has also been approved without restrictions by the United States, the European Union, Russia, Taiwan, Serbia and Ukraine.