Google Korea subscribes to TNC

Google Korea has officially signed a subscription contract today (September 12, 2008) with TNC (Tatter and Company), the developer of Textcube.com.

The focus is on Textcube, an installable blogging tool similar to Wordpress (formerly known as Tattertools). The lineage is as follows:

1. TNF - Tatter and Friends / Tatter Network Foundation: TNF is the main company developing the blog tool Textcube, which holds the top market share in South Korea.

2. TNC - Tatter and Company: TNC is the main sponsor of TNF. They previously developed tistory.com, based on Tattertools (the predecessor to Textcube), which is the leading BSP (Blog Service Provider) in South Korea now operated by Daum. TNC owns Textcube.com, an independently run BSP based on Textcube currently in beta testing, and eolin.com, a blog media platform.

3. Tatter & Media: A Blog Network established using Textcube.

Summary of announcements from all parties involved in this subscription:

TNC: We have signed the subscription contract.

TNF: We will continue to develop Textcube as before, with not much change. If there are changes, it would only be that the main sponsor shifts from TNC to Google.

Tatter & Media: This does not concern us.

Key messages conveyed through this subscription:

>> TNC will not terminate any current services being provided.

>> There is a possibility that eolin.com's services could be integrated into Google Korea.

>> Google Korea's product localization and user center...

>> Providing more effective search services for Korean users...

>> TNC and Google Korea's R&D Center will continue to work towards developing more convenient products and services.

The amount of the subscription has not been disclosed by either party. However, prior to the official subscription, TNC had already begun layoffs and other preparations. Rumors suggest that besides this subscription, Google Korea is also preparing other more challenging moves.

Considering all this information, it seems that Google Korea is not targeting the various services currently provided by TNC, but rather aims to significantly improve its search services in the Korean market. In other words, they value TNC’s talent. Of course, according to the contractual terms, TNC will continue to provide existing services, and Google Korea will continuously support TNC's current services. Therefore, it is expected that the existing services provided by TNC, such as Textcube.com/eolin.com, will see significant improvements.