I think they spent 8.5 billion dollars for the skype brand. It also reduces competition. In the article it sounds like Microsoft Research has a good amount of

I think they spent 8.5 billion dollars for the skype brand. It also reduces competition. In the article it sounds like Microsoft Research has a good amount of tech of their own. I almost wonder if Microsoft Research has the next big thing, and they're planning on using skype to put it out there.