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Google Experiences EU Antitrust Friction Over Doubleclick

Posted by Zonk on from the it's-tough-trying-to-take-over-the-world dept.

An anonymous reader writes "Here in the US, the Google purchase of Doubleclick is old news. Despite a few hiccups, the news of April and May seems well in the past. In the European Union, though, the discussion begins anew again as Google seeks permission from EU antitrust regulators. From the article: 'The European Commission said it had set a review deadline of October 26, when it could approve the deal, give a two-week extension or open an in-depth, four-month investigation ... The Commission has already sent questionnaires asking competitors and customers what they think about the deal. Google has already filed with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and with the Australian competition regulator.'"

2 of 62 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Asking the competitors what they think.. by suv4x4 · · Score: 0, Troll

    It only makes business sense to prevent Google from acquiring whenever you can. This seems equivalent to the FCC asking the telecoms how they feel about Google buying/leasing some airwaves.

    The questionnaire does not make sense, but it's only now as the EU Antitrust commission starts attacking geeks' favorite Google (DoubleClick) and Apple (iTunes / DRM) you'll see how the EU Antitrust commission operates.

    The bias though which the community spins EU's actions is hilarious, but I see this is consistent to what they did with Microsoft, charging them nearly a billion because they shipped a video player in their OS.

    I've a question: who'll protect us from the monopoly of the EU? Did anyone ask YOU if you want them protecting your rights in THIS particular fashion? Did someone ask you when EU slapped VAT and sales tax on online purchases? Do I have a choice, short of moving to a different continent.

  2. google's anti-trust problems by daniel.waterfield · · Score: 0, Troll

    Hm, don't you think this EU anti-trust venture is getting a tad out of hand now? I'm usually a fan of the eu, but it's getting to the point where it's stifling business' right to succeed, if they wish to help the start ups and the string of failed projects, then maybe cash would help?

    --
    i know not what weapons the next world war will be fought with, but world war IV will be fought with sticks and stones.