Skype is a widely used and important instant messaging platform. While there are alternatives such as Google Hangouts, Yahoo, ICQ and IRC, Skype has a large user base worldwide and is used to communicate with people around the world.

Skype lacks an open API where developers can Send/Receive messages to the Skype servers. The lack of this API creates a monopoly in that only Skype or specific Skype Partners can interact with the server.

This monopoly limits creativity. Recently IMO Messenger which had developed Skype support no longer can connect to Skype servers. Users who wish to consolidate their various internet chat programs are still forced to run the Skype application standalone. The Skype application is often bloated and in the case of Android performs very poorly even on quad core phones.

I am petitioning Skype (Owned by Microsoft) to do the following.

1. Agree that Skype needs to have a public API and interface for developers.
2. Provide that API and access to the servers in less that 12 months.
3. Stop blocking applications such as IMO from communicating with their servers within 1 month.