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.