NEWS IN BRIEF
Daily Digest 12 February
12-02-2010
by Deirdre McArdle
ProSys signs USD1m US contract | Veoh files for bankruptcy
Dublin-based e-learning firm SkillSoft has been acquired by a group of private equity firms -- Berkshire Partners, Advent International and Bain Capital -- for USD1.1 billion, or USD10.80 per share, in cash. In a statement, SkillSoft said it will continue to be headquartered in Dublin and will be led by the current management team, including Chuck Moran as CEO. SkillSoft provides on-demand e-learning software to businesses and governments.
CR Entertainment's Aisling's Diary has scooped the award for Best One-Off, Special or TV Movie in the Teen/Tween category at the Kidscreen Awards, which were held in New York on Thursday night. The Irish digital media firm is one of 13 Irish firms participating in the Kidscreen Summit, as part of an Enterprise Ireland trade mission to New York led by the Minister for Trade and Commerce, Billy Kelleher.
In more news of the trade mission, Cork company ProSys Sampling Systems has signed a USD1 million contract with one of the world's leading pharmaceutical firms. ProSys will work with the unnamed US firm on a project to design and manufacture high containment isolators for its US headquarters. "Prosys is a leading example of the innovative, high-technology design and manufacturing companies that are developing in Ireland. This is a significant achievement by the company that will enable them to further internationalise and will support their ongoing business in Midleton," said Minister Kelleher.
Google has responded to criticism on the privacy issues surrounding its social networking feature, Buzz. In a blog post the internet giant says it has made some improvements, including making the option to not show your followers in your public profile more visible, and making it easier to block anyone who starts following you. Google claims that since its launch three days ago "tens of millions of people have checked Buzz out" and over 9 million posts and comments have been created.
Veoh, the online video sharing site, has announced that it is to go into liquidation and file for bankruptcy protection. In his blog, Veoh founder Dmitry Shapiro cited the difficult economy and costly legal battles with Vivendi's Universal Music Group over claims of copyright infringement for the company's current situation. Veoh launched in September 2005 and competes with Google video giant YouTube. Shapiro said the service had grown to 28 million users per month.
Caped Koala Studios has built a virtual world for kids, combining education and social networking 