Another Proof That Opera Is For Sale

By | May 31, 2012 | 19 Comments

Another Proof That Opera Is For SaleWhen it comes to the search engine agreements, web browser makers tend to extend their partnerships for at least a year or two. For instance, back in 2011, Opera Software has renewed their deal with Google for another year while Mozilla has recently signed a 3 year old contract.

Why are we telling you all this? Well, we have just received a letter from Opera’s Investor Relations group and it’s quite an interesting one.

According to the email, Opera Software and Google have signed a new search agreement for their desktop web browser but there is a catch, it was extended only for a month, from May 31, 2012 to June 30, 2012.

Sure, it makes more sense to sign another 1 year contract unless something big is about to happen. What do you think?


About (Author Profile)


Vygantas is a former web designer whose projects are used by companies such as AMD, NVIDIA and departed Westood Studios. Being passionate about software, Vygantas began his journalism carrier back in 2007 when he founded FavBrowser.com. Having said that, he is also an adrenaline junkie who enjoys good books, fitness activities and Forex trading.

  • http://twitter.com/IbnJuferi MENJ

    Sounds like something big is about to happen.

  • Jorjy27

    Seems like the rumor is kind of becoming true. :-(

  • Yoyo

    FB is doing god’s work …. they want to save people from Chrome and keep them close to FB.

    It would be nice if FB let users know browser usage in FB .. I am sure it is definately chrome …

    I think also FB have own email system right ? may be FB think it is good time so people will not longer use gmail and more likely to  use facemail….

    I think FB will not buy Opera, if they do it will be good for Opera. I will use Opera even it got brought by Aliens :)).

    • concernedwebizen

      only if god == devil
      the Web is supposed to be an open platform, not for individual scumware like FaceFuck decide which browsers should be used or not to be used

      if FB buys Opera, the Web takes another hit from FB
      then I will not only need to uninstall Chrome
      but unplug myself from the Internet
      and live in a cave

  • IWTS

    Can you show this email to us?

  • Anon

    I have a serious dislike for Facebook. They are a new school company but they operate old school. This bodes badly.

  • ruaman

    I’m a Opera fan, but still don’t care who owns the company (ASA or FB or Google or someone else….) as long as it doesn’t stop Opera’s long
    history of speed, creativity, & innovation.

    • Max

      And what of it’s reputation for protecting your privacy and security? Gone if FB owns it.

  • http://hector-macias.blogspot.com Hector Macias Ayala

    “Opera Software ASA and Google Inc. have extended the expiration of their current desktop search agreement from May 31, 2012 to June 30, 2012.”

    This could mean different things:

    1.- They are going to sign up with somebody else, like MS, Yahoo or Duckduckgo.

    2.- They are going to renew their agreement with Google under different terms.

    Cut the crap once and for all.

  • kabforks

    Opera does not agree with Google search lucrative contract extended by 30 days.
    Thursday, 31 May 2012, at. 16:26 by Marius Jørgenrud http://www.digi.no  

     Opera Software’s by far the most lucrative contract, to provide Google search service through its desktop browser, ran out today. Two months ago the agreement was extended temporarily, pending ongoing negotiations. Now the parties have agreed to extend the agreement with 30 days. Out June

    - We do not assume the value, but it is a very big deal for us. Google make up the majority of our revenues on the desktop, said IR CEO Petter Lade, Opera Software to digi.no.

    Quarter of a billion
    Analyst Peder Strand at SEB Enskilda estimate the value of the contract to between 200 and 250 million a year.
    - Search The agreement on the desktop with Google accounts for 20 to 25 percent of Opera’s total revenues, says Strand digi.no.

    He believes that the parties now negotiating for a much more complicated deal than last time. – Previously, there have only been searching. Now I would assume that they look at several things. This may be interesting to look at contracts linked to other Google services such as Gmail, Google + Youtube and, as they did with Opera Mini agreement.

    Opera and Google have been partners a long time. The negotiations now extracts suggest that they discuss something beyond just the dissemination of search traffic, according to the analyst.

    Not least, he thinks the speculation that Facebook will be interested to engulf the Norwegian browser cabinet.
    - It can be quite dramatic, but can also result from the Opera holds back, should there be something in the speculation that Facebook is interested in buying them. Then for any to clarify what Facebook has the desire, says Strand.

    Desktop search is far more lucrative
    Opera and Google has a separate agreement for the provision of search through the mobile browser Opera Mini. The agreement was last revised in December 2011 and runs for one year.

    - These agreements and the way they are set up, means that even if the contract period expires, we have still a considerable period of time where we get paid and bring traffic to your partner, so long as they are integrated into our browser, says Petter Lade.

    Charging would not comment on whether there is some drama in the desktop agreement, as in the previous crossroads lasted for two and a half years, now only been extended by one month. – There is no cutoff for us, but it’s always nice to extend a contract while in the negotiations, says Opera’s IR director. Agreements to convey search traffic on your mobile and desktop version of the browser is a huge difference in value, according to Peder Strand. -

    A desktop search is worth about ten times as much. You may ask yourself how many flat screens you have ordered the complete via your PC versus cell phone, said SEB Enskilda analyst.

  • Guesty Guest

    The only thing we can do is keep watching this space and see what happens in the next month or so. If Opera is bought by Facebook, then Firefox will be the only one of the top 5 browsers that isn’t owned by a major corporation with ulterior motives.

    • Firefoxer

      Firefox – …
      Safari – Apple
      Opera – Facebook
      Google Chrome – Google

      What browser have I missed?..

      • Armin

        Not sure what you’re trying to say, but…

        Internet Explorer – Microsoft

        • Firefoxer

           LOL Thanks. Didn’t even remember that one.

  • Guesty Guest
  • Guest

    The moment GB acquires Opera, I’ll stop using Opera. Definitely.

    • https://addons.mozilla.org/fr/firefox/user/5588990/ Firefoxer

       Already done that.

«
»