Microsoft clear for Skype buyout

THE European Commission approved yesterday the proposed $8.5 billion (€6.4bn) acquisition of the internet phone and video communication company Skype by Microsoft, saying the deal would not significantly impede competition in Europe.

The approval appears to be the final step in the technology company’s effort to acquire Skype.

Although Microsoft has often been at odds with the EU over antitrust issues, its acquisition of Skype was not controversial. Microsoft submitted its application to the European Commission early in September, in the hope it would gain approval before January. In the event, the approval took only five weeks.