SAN FRANCISCO — Skype might have to shut down because of a dispute over the core technology used to make the internet telephone system work. EBay, which paid $2.6 billion (£1.6 billion) for the voice-over-the-internet system in 2005, is facing a court battle with the original founders of the company who retained the rights to the technology at the heart of the system. EBay admitted in a regulatory filing that it might have to close down the company. It said it was trying to develop alternative software but if that did not work, or if eBay lost the right to the original software: ‘Skype would be severely and adversely affected and the continued operation of Skype’s business as currently conducted would likely not be possible.’ The dispute also threatens eBay’s plan to spin off Skype, scheduled for next year. Earlier this year, Skype filed a claim in London against Swedish company Joltid, which is controlled by Skype co-founders Niklas Zennstrom and Janus Friis. Skype is seeking resolution on a dispute over a software licensing agreement between the parties that Joltid was seeking to terminate. ‘In particular, Joltid has alleged that Skype should not possess, use […]