Skype is released to the public, giving a user-friendly interface to Voice over IP calling.
The service was first released in 2003, written by Estonian developers Ahti Heinla, Priit Kasesalu, and Jaan Tallinn, who had also originally developed Kazaa. The service allows users to communicate with peers by voice using a microphone, video by using a webcam, and instant messaging over the Internet. Phone calls may be placed to recipients on the traditional telephone networks.
On 12 September 2005 eBay Inc. agreed to acquire Luxembourg-based Skype Technologies SA for approximately US$2.6 billion. On 1 September 2009 it was announced that eBay was selling 65% of Skype for US$1.9 billion, valuing Skype at US$2.75 billion. And on 10 May 2011, Microsoft Corporation acquired Skype Communications for US$8.5 billion. The company was incorporated as a division of Microsoft, and Microsoft acquired all of the company's technologies with the purchase. This was completed on 13 October 2011.