| Type | Allmennaksjeselskap (OSE: OPERA) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Software |
| Founded | June 22, 1995 |
| Headquarters | Oslo, Norway |
| Key people | Lars Boilesen (CEO) Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner (founder) Geir Ivarsøy (co-founder, deceased) Håkon Wium Lie (CTO) |
| Products | Web browser |
| Revenue | NOK 497.1 million (2008)[1] |
| Operating income | NOK 80.9 million (2008)[1] |
| Net income | NOK 89.9 million (2008)[1] |
| Employees | 757 (end of Q4, 2009) [2] |
| Website | http://opera.com |
Opera Software ASA (OSE: OPERA) is a Norwegian software company, primarily known for its Opera family of web browsers with over 220 million users worldwide.[3] 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, Poland, the People's Republic of China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Czech Republic and the United States. Opera's stated vision is "to deliver the best Internet experience on any device."[4]
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Opera Software was founded as an independent company on August 30, 1995 by Jon Stephenson von Tetzchner and Geir Ivarsøy.[5] The company was created to continue what was originally a research project at Telenor, the largest Norwegian telecommunications company.
Opera Software's first product, the Opera web browser 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.[5]
In an attempt to capitalize on the emerging market for Internet-connected handheld devices, a project to port the Opera browser to more platforms was started in 1998.[5] Opera 4.0, released in 2000,[6] included a new cross-platform core that facilitated creation of editions of Opera for multiple operating systems and platforms.[7]
Up to this point, the Opera browser was trialware and had to be purchased after the trial period ended. But version 5.0 (released in 2000) saw the end of the trial period requirement. Instead, Opera became ad-sponsored, displaying advertisements to users without a license,[8] which was commonly criticized as a barrier to gaining market share. In newer versions, the user was allowed a choice of generic graphical banners or text-based targeted advertisements provided by Google based upon the page being viewed.
On January 12, 2005, Opera Software announced that it would offer free licenses to higher education institutions[9] — a change from the previous cost of $1,000 USD for unlimited licenses. Schools that opted for the free license included Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, University of Oxford, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Duke University.
With version 8.5 (released in 2005) the advertisements were removed entirely and primary financial support came through revenue from Google (which is by contract Opera's default search engine).[10]
The introduction in August 2005 of "Opera Mini", 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.[11]
On May 18, 2004, Opera Software settled a lawsuit. Its statement on the Oslo Stock Exchange read:[12][13]
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,[14] who had previously blocked Opera users from correctly viewing MSN.com (see First MSN.com controversy and Second MSN.com controversy).
In 2007 Opera filed a complaint against Microsoft in the European Commission, alleging that bundling Internet Explorer with Microsoft Windows is harmful to both the consumer and to other web browser companies.[15] The complaint resulted in the creation of BrowserChoice.eu.[16]
On January 20, 2010 Opera Software announced that it has acquired AdMarvel, Inc, who makes mobile advertising work by enabling mobile publishers and operators to easily source, provision, manage and track advertising from virtually any ad network or direct sourced advertising inventory. The acquisition will enable Opera to expand its portfolio of products and services to include highly scalable ad monetization services for Opera branded mobile products and services offered by mobile operators and content partners.
On April 30, 2010, Opera announced that it had acquired Australian web email provider FastMail.FM. Opera claims that the acquisition will enable it to expand its current messaging product portfolio and deliver cross-platform messaging to a wide range of devices.[17]
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