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December 2, 2008 9:36:48 AM CST

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Microsoft and Google Launch Anti-Trust Duel

Posted Feb 8, 08 6:00 PM CST in US,  Business,  Technology 

(Newser) – Microsoft isn’t sitting still as rumors spread that Yahoo will try to outflank a hostile takeover by allying with Google: The Redmond company is drawing up an antitrust argument it hopes will be at least as good as Google’s. The younger colossus is already claiming that Microsoft’s unsolicited $44.6 billion bid is anti-competitive, but the PC software king says a Google-Yahoo partnership is even more troublesome.

Their proposed online ad alliance, whether or not it involves revenue-sharing, could lessen Google’s imperatives to price competitively, Microsoft says. An attorney said even strategic discussions “are susceptible to challenges of unfair and improper collusion,” MarketWatch reports. Microsoft argues its own takeover plan will increase competition—combining second- and third-placers to combat an industry leader—but one watcher said regulators view two-player markets unfavorably.

Source MarketWatch

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Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer, reacts during Tech.Ed, a technology conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)   (Associated Press)
The reception desk is shown at Google's New York offices on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008. Google Inc. says Microsoft Corp. could use its proposed $42 billion acquisition of Yahoo Inc. to gain illegal control...   (Associated Press)
Graphic compares unique Internet traffic to Google, Microsoft and Yahoo since 2002; 1c x 3 5/8 inches; 46.5 mm x 92.1 mm   (Associated Press)
The Yahoo Center office building is seen in Santa Monica, Calif. Friday, Feb. 2, 2008. The Justice Department on Friday said it is "interested" in reviewing antitrust issues associated with Microsoft...   (Associated Press)
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and former president Bill Clinton announced the results of the annual Microsoft Giving Campaign in a news conference following Mr. Clinton's address to Microsoft employees....   (Associated Press)
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