Facebook to Buy Skype?

Two reliable sources say Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is talking to Skype about either buying the company or forming a joint venture, according to Reuters.

One of the sources said Facebook is considering a buyout of Skype at a price of between $3 billion and $4 billion. Others pointed out that Skype’s IPO, which has been recently delayed by its new CEO until the second half of 2011, was expected to raise less than that, around $1 billion.

The other source told Reuters the deal won’t be a purchase by Facebook, but a joint venture between Facebook and Skype.

Skype and Facebook are no strangers. Last October, when Skype released its version 5.0 software for Windows, it included a Facebook tab that let users chat or call Facebook friends via Skype, right from the Facebook newsfeed that can be viewed from within the Skype application.

Facebook isn’t the only one chasing Skype. One of the sources talking to Reuters added that Google was also in “early talks” with Skype about a joint venture.

Update: When we contacted Skype tonight, the company responded, “As a practical matter, we avoid commenting on rumor and speculation.”

Let us know in the comments what you think of this deal, and who stands to gain the most.

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