Skype confirms video messaging feature with legal change

IDG News Service - Skype hasn't officially confirmed rumors of a video messaging service that's supposed to be coming to its platform, but an update to its terms of service on Wednesday did the job.

The video messaging service was first reported in September as a feature that would allow Skype users to send short, pre-recorded messages to other Skype users.

On Wednesday, Skype updated its terms of use to include video messaging.

The update reveals that unlimited video messaging will be offered to users of the Skype Premium service. That service costs $8.99 per month, although customers can get discounts with a three-month or one-year contract.

"If you are a Skype Premium subscriber you can ... send and receive an unlimited number of Video Messages and any Video Messages you send and/or receive shall have no expiry date," the terms of service read.

Skype users who aren't on the premium membership will still be able to send video messages, but the number is limited. The limit wasn't spelled out in the terms of use.

"If you are not a Skype Premium subscriber, the number of Video Messages you can send are limited, however you can receive an unlimited number of Video Messages."

Further, messages sent and received by non-premium users will expire after 90 days, unless they come from a premium member:

"As a non-Skype Premium subscriber any Video Message you send or receive will expire within 90 days, except for Video Messages received from a Skype Premium subscriber or where you upgrade to a Skype Premium subscription before the 90 day expiry period ends, and in either case the Video Message shall cease to have an expiry date."

Skype did not respond to several requests for comment.

Martyn Williams covers mobile telecoms, Silicon Valley and general technology breaking news for The IDG News Service. Follow Martyn on Twitter at @martyn_williams. Martyn's e-mail address is martyn_williams@idg.com