Japanese messaging app Line to launch open sticker marketplace and Skype rival

By VCPOST Staff Reporter

Feb 26, 2014 09:34 AM EST

Line will launch an open sticker marketplace called Line Creators Market in April. The company announced this during a press conference held in Tokyo, according to TechCrunch.

Before, the sticker platform was available exclusively to the Line's partners. Stickers account for 20% of the app's revenue. Opening the marketplace to all designers and firms is a good move for the company to reach users who have not yet installed the app's gaming platform Line Game. This will also help the firm tap companies interested in creating stickers and other promotions, the report explained.

In addition, the Japanese messaging company also announced that it will launch a Skype-like service that will allow users to make voice calls to landlines and mobile phones. The said service will be initially released in the US, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Thailand, and the Philippines, the report detailed.

There have been talks that Line and its South Korean parent firm Naver are discussing acquisition plans with Softbank, but both companies denied this before the conference, TechCrunch reported.

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