Is Microsoft Getting Jealous Of Google?

Microsoft Corp. softened its criticism of Google Inc's planned $3.1 billion acquisition of online advertiser DoubleClick, which it had claimed earlier would give the search engine group a dominant position. Last week, Brad Smith, Microsoft's general counsel, said Google's deal would make the web search company "the overwhelmingly dominant pipeline for all forms of advertising" and it would be "bad for consumers." Jean- Philippe Courtois, head of Microsoft International said, that Microsoft was keen to take an active part in the $40 billion digital marketing market. He forecast the online advertising market was growing between 15 and 20 percent a year worldwide while the global advertising market gained only between 2 percent and 3 percent.

Recently, Microsoft bought DoubleClick's competitor Aquantive for $6 billion, one of the largest deals in a recent wave of acquisitions in the sector. However, last month, the European Union's Court of First Instance in Luxembourg upheld a landmark 2004 European Commission decision and a 497 million euro fine against Microsoft for illegal business practices that violated antitrust law. In my opinion, this type of case is showing the competitiveness within business's. If Google signs a new deal, then Microsoft is going to want to sign a new deal. Its what makes up competitive marketing.


This article can be found in The Washington Post, entitled "Microsoft Softens Tone on DoubleClick/Google Deal."


Watch a video- Google Buys DoubleClick for $ 3.1 Million