ICQ is a popular instant messaging computer program, which was first developed by the Israeli company Mirabilis, then bought by America Online, and since April 2010 owned by Digital Sky Technologies. The name ICQ is a homophone for the phrase "I seek you".
The first version of the program was released in November 1996 and ICQ became the first Internet-wide instant messaging service, later patenting the technology. AOL acquired Mirabilis on June 8, 1998, for US$407 million.
In April 2010, AOL sold ICQ to Digital Sky Technologies for $187.5 million. According to Time Warner, ICQ has over 100 million accounts registered.
History
Mirabilis was first established by five Israelis: Yair Goldfinger, Sefi Vigiser, Amnon Amir, Arik Vardi, and Arik's father Yossi Vardi. They recognized that many people were online accessing the Internet through a non-UNIX operating system, and that there was no software that enabled an immediate connection between them.
What was missing was the technology for locating and connecting the users of the Windows operating system.
The technology Mirabilis developed for ICQ was distributed free of charge. The technology's success caused AOL to acquire Mirabilis on June 8, 1998, for US$407 million. At the time, this was the highest price ever paid to purchase an Israeli technology company.
QQ, a Chinese instant messaging program and network, originally used the name OICQ. This name conflicted with ICQ, and the company changed the name to QQ.
ICQ's Management changed at the end of 2003. Under the leadership of the new CEO, Orey Gilliam who also assumed the responsibility for all of AOL's Messaging business in 2007, ICQ resumed its growth and turned into a highly profitable company, and one of AOL's most successful businesses.
Eliav Moshe replaced Gilliam in 2009 and became ICQ's Managing Director.
http://www.icq.com/
