About Opera

Opera started out in 1994 as a research project within Telenor, Norway’s leading telecom. Within a year, Opera Software ASA was launched as an independent development company. Today, Opera is headquartered in Norway, with over 700 employees in offices around the world.

Since the beginning, Opera’s founders and employees have shared the belief that access to the Web is a universal right. This has guided the company’s product development, and the Opera web browsers are adapted to a wide range of platforms, operating systems and embedded Internet products — including Mac, PC and Linux computers, tablets, mobile phones and PDAs, as well as various game consoles and other devices.

Opera Software has always strived to develop the fastest and technologically most advanced browsers. As a result, the Opera browser is the choice of some of the world’s most demanding and knowledgeable users. At the same time, when the powerful compression technology in the full browser is applied to the Opera Mini browser, the Web is accessible on even the simplest handsets, with small screens and limited memory. This has made the Opera Mini browser the world’s most popular mobile browser.

We are passionate about breaking down barriers, so everyone can share in the power of the Internet. We believe in the power of a single idea. Participation changes everything.

Opera Software ASA is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OPERA.

Opera’s Vision

Our vision is to deliver the best Internet experience on any device on all major platforms.

Mission

We strive to develop a superior Internet browser for our users through state-of-the-art technology, innovation, leadership and partnerships.

Values

The movement that discovered the vision and ideals of the Net as a boundary-less community is gaining strength and focus as millions more are joining its ranks every month.
A global movement of netizens is forming in the protection of the Net’s basic philosophy of being a medium accessible to all, independent of creed, culture, language or social class.
We in Opera Software deeply believe in this vision and promise to remain faithful to the following principles:

We believe in respect for our users.

Users have since the beginning shaped Opera’s features and spread the word to the uninitiated. Thanks to this interaction Opera Software exists today, both as an organization and as a technology leader. Opera Software will never forget that its main focus is the user.

We believe in a Net that preserves cultural diversity.

The Net should not eradicate cultural differences. As in life, the Net provides richer experiences when people from all over the world meet and learn from each other in mutual respect. Opera Software will make every effort to promote cultural diversity and make its products available in as many languages as possible.

We believe in security.

The Net gathers people from all walks of life, carrying with them different intentions as well as experiences. Opera Software will do everything possible to maintain the highest possible level of security for all netizens, so they can navigate without fear of being compromised.

We believe in international, open standards.

The Internet should stay open and free to all users, regardless of which browser-application they are using. Standards are much like the spirit of the Internet; a structure on which human innovation can prosper to the benefit of everyone. Opera Software will never seek to hinder the Net’s continuous evolutionary process by imposing proprietary standards.

We believe in a patent-free Web.

Opera Software does not believe innovation in the software industry is protected or encouraged by software patents. In particular, we believe interoperability on the Internet should be encouraged, and we actively work to ensure that software patents do not stand in the way of interoperability.
As a highly innovative company, Opera Software comes up with many ideas and concepts that are patentable. In some situations, we will apply for software patents as a way to protect ourselves from attacks by other aggressive patent holders.

We believe in good employment.

Opera Software’s employees are our most valuable resource. Opera Software will interact with its employees in the same way as it strives to interact with its customers: following the highest ethical standards and respect of individuality.

We believe in a Net with unlimited accessibility.

The Net can be a fantastic experience and opportunity for netizens with physical disabilities. Opera Software will strive to make the Net accessible to all. See Access Opera for more information.

We believe in privacy.

We will always employ the highest ethical standards when dealing with our customers’ private information. Opera Software is licensing out Internet products, not its customers.

We believe in social responsibility.

Opera Software will only thrive in an environment where every care is taken to act as a responsible netizen. Opera Software will strive to always act as a pillar of social responsibility in everything it does.
Opera Software promises to always endeavor to adhere to the aforementioned principles, so all Opera-code will abide by the five S’s: Speed, Size, Security, Standards Compliance and State of the Art. In doing so, it seeks the help and guidance of the Net community. Under the watchful eyes of a diverse population of Net users, Opera Software will continue evolving into what it strives to be: Simply the Best Internet Experience.

Opera Environmental Policy

Opera does not pollute

Opera Software ASA understands the importance of supporting the environment. For this reason, Opera has adopted an environmental policy to indite the Company’s mission in preventing any environmental impact of its activities.
Opera shall:

• Act according to environmental laws to limit the environmental burden on earth, air, water and ecosystem.
• Commit to using environmentally safe products in the workplace.
• Educate staff about company environmental regulations.
• Evaluate the consumption of energy and other resources to determine means of control.
• Ensure the development of environmental protective procedures.