Food for Thought: Did you know: "AMAZON Japan BUYS VIKI for $200million" (Nov 2013)!

General Discussion
1

This happened late last year, but I just discovered this fact. And yes, I do think differently as it’s no longer a “project” but part of Amazon business.

Here is the link for those who are interested…
http://venturebeat.com/2013/09/02/japans-rakuten-pulls-another-amazon-snaps-up-video-site-viki-for-200m/

This is quite interesting news. Some questions include:

  1. Where did the purchase price go?
  2. Does this mean Amazon now gets free translations?
  3. Will multi-billion dollar Amazon be employing VIKI translators or is it still voluntary?
2

Hi!
Maybe this is something for you to read, prior to this viki had already changed, it was no longer the “project”, you seemed to think of.

http://discussions.viki.com/t/sale-of-viki-to-rakuten/150

Where did the purchase price go?

How would I know? Only the executives will know.

Does this mean Amazon now gets free translations?

I don’t know what you mean with free translations for Amazon, in which way? And are Amazon and Rakuten the same?

Will multi-billion dollar Amazon be employing VIKI translators or is it still voluntary?

Since it has been some days since Rakuten bought Viki and Viki will be bring more profit, if volunteers are doing the work on the dramas, I don’t think there will be too many changes.

There is only payed staff for all the other things for running the business.

P.S. Interestingly your viki profile is 1 day older than the post about he Rakuten sale, so technically you could have known earlier.