# ItaliaOnLine
**Wikidata**: [Q115191961](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115191961)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/italiaonline-q115191961

## Summary
ItaliaOnLine (IOL) was an Italian enterprise and website operating within the internet industry. Founded in 1994 in Milan, the company served as the owner of the Libero portal before being fully acquired by Wind Telecomunicazioni in 2002. The corporate entity underwent several legal transformations before being dissolved in 2011.

## Key Facts
- **Inception:** Founded in 1994 in Milan, Italy.
- **Dissolution:** Dissolved or abolished in 2011.
- **Owner:** Fully owned by Wind Telecomunicazioni (starting in 2002).
- **Subsidiaries:** Owner of the Libero brand (starting in 2002).
- **Legal Status:** Operated as a *società per azioni* (S.p.A.) from 1994 to 2004; converted to a *società a responsabilità limitata* (S.r.l.) in 2004.
- **Headquarters:** Located in Milan, Italy.
- **Official Website:** http://www.iol.it/ (Italian language).
- **VAT Number:** IT13021040152.
- **Merger:** The website component was merged into Libero in 2002.

## FAQs
### Q: When was ItaliaOnLine founded and when did it cease operations?
A: ItaliaOnLine was founded in 1994 in Milan, Italy. It was officially dissolved in 2011.

### Q: Who owned ItaliaOnLine?
A: The company was fully owned by Wind Telecomunicazioni, which acquired a 100% stake in 2002.

### Q: What was the relationship between ItaliaOnLine and Libero?
A: ItaliaOnLine was the owner of the Libero brand beginning in 2002. Additionally, the ItaliaOnLine website itself was merged into Libero in 2002.

### Q: Is ItaliaOnLine the same entity as "Italiaonline"?
A: No. According to structured data, ItaliaOnLine is explicitly listed as "different from" the entity known as Italiaonline.

## Why It Matters
ItaliaOnLine represents a significant chapter in the early commercialization of the internet in Italy. Emerging in the mid-1990s, it was a pioneer in the Italian digital landscape, serving as both a business enterprise and a web portal. Its acquisition by Wind Telecomunicazioni in 2002 illustrates the period of consolidation within the telecom and internet sectors, where major carriers absorbed independent web entities to bolster their digital service offerings. By owning and integrating the popular Libero portal, ItaliaOnLine played a pivotal role in shaping the infrastructure and user experience of the Italian web during its formative years. The company's transition from a society per azioni to a limited liability company, and its eventual dissolution in 2011, tracks the legal and corporate evolution of early internet firms. It served as a bridge between the standalone web portals of the late 20th century and the integrated service providers of the modern era.

## Notable For
- **Naming Origin:** The name is a portmanteau of "Italy" and "Online."
- **Dual Nature:** Classified simultaneously as a business, an enterprise, and a functioning website.
- **Corporate Evolution:** Notable for its specific legal transition from an S.p.A. to an S.r.l. structure in 2004.
- **Brand Integration:** Functioned as the owner of the distinct "Libero" web portal while also merging its own web presence into it.
- **Historical Context:** Maintained a specific VAT number (IT13021040152) and distinct corporate identity separate from the similarly named modern entity.

## Body
### Corporate History and Structure
ItaliaOnLine was established in 1994 in Milan, Italy. Initially constituted as a *società per azioni* (joint-stock company) named **ItaliaOnLine S.p.A.**, it retained this legal form for a decade. In 2004, the company underwent a structural reorganization, changing its legal form to a *società a responsabilità limitata* (limited liability company) and adopting the name **ItaliaOnLine S.r.l.** This structure remained until the entity's dissolution in 2011.

### Ownership and Acquisition
In 2002, the company became a subsidiary of **Wind Telecomunicazioni**. The acquisition data indicates a 100% ownership stake (proportion 1.0000) held by Wind starting that year. This acquisition placed ItaliaOnLine under the umbrella of one of Italy's major telecommunications operators.

### Operations and Assets
ItaliaOnLine operated the website **http://www.iol.it/**, serving content in Italian. A core component of its business portfolio was the ownership of the **Libero** brand, a significant player in the Italian internet industry. In 2002, concurrent with its acquisition, the web component of ItaliaOnLine was merged into the Libero portal.

### Status and Identity
The entity is currently listed as "out of service," having been dissolved in 2011. It is distinct from the similarly spelled "Italiaonline." Throughout its operational history, it was also known by the alias **IOL**.