Microsoft's $8.5 billion purchase of Skype approved in Europe

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The European Commission has approved Microsoft's purchase of Skype, announced earlier this year. The $8.5 billion acquisition, the largest in Microsoft's history, paves the way for Microsoft to integrate VoIP services into its various products.

With the European Union's stamp of approval, Microsoft can move into the final steps to complete the acquisition of Skype. The purchase was already approved by the United States earlier this summer. Skype is expected to be run as an independent division within Microsoft, with all current products continuing forward in development. In the future, Microsoft is expected to integrate Skype with its existing portfolio of software and devices.

Microsoft released a statement about the European Commission's approval:

"We're pleased that the European Commission has approved Microsoft's acquisition of Skype. This is an important milestone, as we've now received clearance from both the United States and the European Union. We look forward to completing soon the final steps needed to close the acquisition, bringing together the employees of Microsoft and Skype, and creating new opportunities for people to communicate and collaborate around the world."