The personal Web publishing service that jump-started blogging in Russia has been sold by its US owner to a Russian business partner.
Six Apart said it sold the blog community site LiveJournal for undisclosed terms to SUP, a Russian-focused Internet media company led by an American and British duo that has expanded LiveJournal's Russian business over the past year.
The free, ad-supported blog site encourages users to keep online diaries they share and discuss with friends. It counts 14.3 million blog accounts and roughly 20 million visitors a month. Its writers publish more than 150,000 new posts a day.
"The deal will allow LiveJournal to get the attention, and frankly, the investment, to allow it to flourish," Andrew Paulson, SUP's chief executive, said.
SUP said it is forming a new San Francisco-based company, LiveJournal, to operate the service globally.
Alden said Six Apart will continue to partner with LiveJournal, by supplying advertising and other services.