Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) does not care much what regulators think about its deal to sell search advertising for Yahoo! (NASDAQ: YHOO). The company will start the new business, and if antitrust officials catch up with them later, then so be it.
According to the AP, "After voluntarily delaying the start of the Yahoo deal three months ago to give antitrust regulators time to review the potential impact, CEO Eric Schmidt said he isn't willing to wait very much beyond an Oct. 11 deadline spelled out in the companies' contract."
Google is taking a dangerous risk. The agencies in the U.S. and Europe handling the investigation into the partnership may view the news as defiance, Google's attempt to "defang" their efforts. That, in turn, makes it more likely that Google will receive a serious challenge to its plans.
Google may have had to wait several more months for a green light on its Yahoo! plans. Betting that authorities will eventually do nothing is a slap in the faces of governments, which could scuttle its efforts.
Douglas A. McIntyre is an editor at 24/7 Wall St.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-18-2008 @ 11:25AM
Zaphod said...
Considering how many banks that are "too big to fail" are failing, I think we should take a new look at the anti trust laws.
Bigger is not always better.
9-18-2008 @ 5:43PM
gmajorspresents said...
Did someone say anti trust? With Jon Gotti Jr.
behind bars in Tampa, why can't our government
assign a task force led by assistant U.S. Attorney Robert O'Neil and go after stinking eBay? Just because Meg Whitman supports John McCain does not mean they are not criminials.
I agree with Google, go for it !!!!!!!!!!