Will Microsoft's Bid for Yahoo Raise Antitrust Issues? Google Thinks So
Mon Feb 04, 2008 @ 10:28AM PSTPosted by Eriq Gardner
Is the technology world ready for Microsoft Antitrust Review: The Sequel?
That's the gist of an interesting blog post by Google chief legal counsel David Drummond, who says that Microsoft's proposed takeover of Yahoo "raises troubling questions."
Drummond jabs at Microsoft's "legacy of serious legal and regulatory offenses" and wants policy-makers to know how the combination of the two companies would approach the email, IM, and web-based services market.
In retort, Microsoft GC Brad Smith says that Google is the real power center these days. “The combination of Microsoft and Yahoo will create a more competitive marketplace by establishing a compelling No. 2 competitor for Internet search and online advertising,” says. Smith. “The alternative scenarios only lead to less competition on the Internet.”
Google has been fighting to gain regulatory approval for its own takeover of Doubleclick, a merger that has been opposed by Microsoft.