First a story about Google picking up the Oslo-based browser software company surfaced, then one placing Microsoft in the acquirer role; one humorous article that followed said Opera was buying itself!
It looks like someone’s been having some fun pranking Opera and the ravenous tech media, including us along with such distinguished sites who will remain nameless. (Until you do a search for Google/Microsoft buying Opera, or something like that.)
The Google rumor started from a report attributed to Yahoo! Europe. That story was attributed to former Yahoo! Europe president Pierre Chappaz, who claimed to have a very good source close to the discussion.
That was a surprise to Opera, which was besieged with requests for comment. It’s not happening, Opera said, they weren’t talking to Google or anyone else.
Shortly thereafter, CoolTechNews published a rumor they attributed to a source inside Microsoft, claiming Opera was going to be picked up by Microsoft. That story raced around the Internet too.
Not happening, Opera said. No one’s buying the company.
Finally, Mozilla developer Blake Ross posted the ultimate takeover rumor: Opera buys itself:
Amidst mounting speculation of an all-out bidding war between Microsoft, Google and the Korean bakery down on 3rd, Opera Software announced today that it inadvertently purchased itself in a $0 million recursive merger
Next up: Yahoo buying Opera, gaining a foothold on millions of mobile phones and bundling its services like Mail and Search with the Opera browser, to be followed by providing web service APIs for Yahoo services to mobile developers.*
*Strictly a fanciful jest!
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David Utter is a staff writer for murdok covering technology and business.
