Phil Wolff at the Skype Journal documents several reasons why Joltid is not only unlikely to win its case against eBay and Skype, but also is unlikely to affect the VoIP giant's viability if it indeed wins the case. Wolff lists five hurdles Joltid, the P2P tech firm that terminated Skype parent eBay's license to its technology and is suing for breech of contract over continued use of its software, would have to clear to win the case, and a couple of Skype's actions that likely would mitigate the effects of any ruling in Joltid's favor.
Wolff says Skype is working on code to replace the Joltid tech currently, and as the case won't be heard for another 10 months, has plenty of time to perfect it, should a judge order it to stop using Joltid's software.
Joltid, also founded by Skype cofounders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis, has been discussed frequently as a roadblock to the IPO eBay tentatively plans [1] for Skype in early 2010. Skype reported strong Q2 2009 results, and if the Joltid case fizzles as Wolff suggests, the IPO could be one of the biggest, and certainly most publicized tech stock offerings since the recession began.
For more:
- see Wolff's quick list of problems with Joltid's case here [2]
Related articles
What's Skype really worth? [3]
eBay plans 2010 IPO for Skype [1]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/ebay-plans-2010-ipo-skype/2009-04-15
[2] http://skypejournal.com/2009/08/skype-not-falling.html
[3] http://www.fiercevoip.com/story/whats-skype-really-worth/2009-05-14