European Commission Likely to Closely Scrutinize Proposed Google Deal
The European Commission is set to open an in-depth antitrust inquiry into online search giant Google Inc's proposed 3.1 bln usd acquisition of online advertising and management technology company DoubleClick Inc, sources and senior lawyers familiar with the matter told Thomson Financial News. A source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the deal always had a 'better-than-even chance' of going to the 'second phase' of the commission's regulatory procedure -- one that can last up to five months -- given the complexity of the issues implicated in the transaction. The commission's current deadline to rule on the deal is Oct 26.
Google buy of DoubleClick set for in-depth EU antitrust inquiry, Thompson Financial News, October 5, 2007.
