Opera Software

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Opera Software ASA
Type Public
Founded 1995
Headquarters Oslo, Norway
Key people Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner (CEO)
Industry Software
Products Web Browser
Revenue NOK 153.9 million (2005)
Operating income NOK 0.9 million (2005)
Net income NOK 4.6 million (2005)
Employees 380 (Jan 31, 2007)
Website http://www.opera.com

Opera Software (OSE: OPERA) is a Norwegian corporation, primarily known for its Opera suite of internet applications. Opera Software is also involved in promoting web standards through participation in the W3C. The company has its headquarters in Oslo, Norway and is listed on Oslo Stock Exchange. The company also has offices in Sweden, China, Japan, Poland and USA.

Contents

[edit] History

Initially started as a research project within the Norwegian telecommunications corporation Telenor in 1994, Opera Software was founded as an independent company on August 30, 1995 by Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner and Geir Ivarsøy [1]. The first public version of Opera, version 2.1 for Windows was released in 1997.

Opera Software had an IPO in February 2004, and was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange March 11, 2004.[2]

The introduction in August 2005 of "Opera Mini", [1] a Java ME based web browser for mobile phones marketed not to end users but to mobile network operators, possibly marks a new direction towards directly revenue generating business, making the company less dependent on give-away and advertising-based Internet software.

On September 20, 2005, Opera announced that it would remove the advertising from its browser and remain free of charge. Although Opera was free to download and use, it displayed an advertising banner unless the user purchased a license. The move was made in the hope that it would prompt more users to switch to the Opera browser.[2] However, Opera does continue to charge for its "Opera Mobile" product which runs on many Mobile devices.[3]

[edit] Legal

On May 18, 2004, Opera Software settled a lawsuit:

Opera Software ASA has settled legal claims with an international corporation resulting in payment to Opera of net USD 12.75 million. The other party is not a customer of Opera and the settlement does not negatively impact future revenues. The entire amount will be booked in Q2.
Details are confidential pursuant to the settlement agreement.

It is widely theorized that the 'international corporation' named above is Microsoft,[4] who it was previously reported had blocked Opera users from correctly viewing MSN.com. [5]

[edit] Notes and references

  1. ^ Have WAP but want WEB? Introducing Opera Mini™ for mobile phones, URL accessed on 20 April 2006
  2. ^ Feel Free: Opera Eliminates Ad Banner and Licensing Fee
  3. ^ Buy Opera
  4. ^ Microsoft behind $12 million payment to Opera, URL access on 20 April 2006.
  5. ^ MSN lockout stirs antitrust rumblings, URL accessed on 20 April 2006.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

v • d • e
 Opera
Companies Opera Software • Telenor
Topics History • Features • M2 • Community • Presto
Notable individuals Håkon Wium Lie • Jon S. von Tetzchner • Geir Ivarsøy
Devices Opera Mobile • Opera Mini • Nintendo DS Browser • Internet Channel
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