Microsoft made the headlines on May 10, 2011, when it acquired videoconferencing giant Skype for a reported $ 8.5 billion.  Following the antitrust procedure of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, the companies filed a pre-acquisition notification to the various government bodies, required before the deal can be finalized. Generally, the companies need to show that the acquisition…

On September 1, 2009, Ebay announced that it would sell 65% of Skype, an internet calling service to a group of investors which includes Silver Lake, a private-equity fund, and a venture-capital firm started recently by Marc Andreessen, founder of Netscape. The price was $1.9 billion in cash, higher than previously expected. Skype was purchased…