Logitech Buys Out Video Conferencing Company SightSpeed

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October 31st, 2008 by Video Conferencing Expert

Today, Switzerland-based Logitech International,a popular maker of webcams and computer peripherals announced that it had reached an agreement with video conferencing company Sightspeed to purchase the company for $30 million.

SightSpeed’s video conferencing services, which are SIP-based and standards-compliant, deliver high quality video on standard computers and consumer broadband connections as a result of the company’s patented technology. The Sightspeed services are based on more than ten years of research and development originating out of Cornell University.

Privately held SightSpeed is based in Berkeley, California and has about 25 employees. Currently along with its business video conferencing solutions, its client software comes preloaded on Dell Inc. computers marketed as “Dell Video Chat.” There’s no word on whether this buy out of Sightspeed will affect the contract will Dell Inc.

Logitech said the acquisition is part of a move to take video conferencing beyond the computer and into the living room. Currently several companies are looking to integrate video conferencing into television sets, making it a more commonly used means of communication. Logitech shares rose 16 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $14.57 in premarket trading Wednesday.