Page 1 of 2

Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:43 pm
by AYHJA
Image

arstechnica.com — Yahoo released a statement on Friday indicating that its board would indeed evaluate the deal seriously, saying that it would evaluate Microsoft's and any additional offers closely.

How does Google feel about all this? Moments ago, Google's top counsel, senior vice president David Drummond posted Google's first official response to the proposed deal, and it has some bite. Drummond asks some questions that are clearly meant to sketch out a dark future should a deal go through:

"Could Microsoft now attempt to exert the same sort of inappropriate and illegal influence over the Internet that it did with the PC? While the Internet rewards competitive innovation, Microsoft has frequently sought to establish proprietary monopolies—and then leverage its dominance into new, adjacent markets," he writes.

It isn't an understatement to say that Google apparently opposes this deal. Going for the jugular, Google's Drummond instantly suggests that the Redmond giant could (would?) use unsavory tactics for unfair advantage, ultimately harming the Internet and the very open and innovative environment that's driving it.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/yntzfl

Re: Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 12:33 am
by Sir Jig-A-Lot
shit just when i thought Steve Jobs had turned into Billy Gates,Gates goes & turns into Jobs. a vicious cycle.

Re: Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 1:52 am
by happywonton
I really really like how Yahoo is right now. I wonder if Microsoft will have any changes done to it if Yahoo were to be bought.

Re: Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 5:19 pm
by Bastilles76
Even if Yahoo were to accept Microsoft's buyout offer, while it wouldn't be good for Google, I'm not sure how much of a threat it would actually pose to them.

Yesterday a story broke that Yahoo is now considering an alternative offer from Google on forming some kind of partnership.

Link: Yahoo may consider Google alliance, source says

I wonder what Drummond's response to the anti-trust implications of that would be!

In any case, John Dvorak wrote an excellent column a few months ago arguing that Microsoft is on the wrong track branching out into all these other areas, trying to become an internet search giant and making money on advertising, just to name one, while forsaking what should be their core business, software, which is falling apart. Their office products face serious competition from free alternatives such as OpenOffice. Vista is a disaster, and they're losing customers to Mac and Linux. If the dominance of Windows fades, that bodes poorly for the rest of Microsoft's products.

Here's the link to the column if anyone wants to read it: The Vista Death Watch by John Dvorak

Re: Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:25 am
by raum
There is no way Yahoo! who is declining monthly, could justify to its shareholders not taking this deal which values them at at least 30% over market value.

The 67% share of the market Google has will increase, while Microsoft will grow in terms of its size, at a far lower cost than if it had direct increase of users.

In this, everyone wins. Though Microsoft has said nothing about retaining the Yahoo! brand.

Re: Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:29 am
by Sir Jig-A-Lot
raum wrote: Though Microsoft has said nothing about retaining the Yahoo! brand.
yes,i'd noticed that as well.

Re: Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:04 pm
by AYHJA
I just think its funny how when M$ tries to merge, Google seems to make a whine or fuss, but they regularly suck up competition...Now, as it was mentioned, the deal on the table is one that involves them, and I'm anxious to see what they say about it...

Re: Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:06 pm
by happywonton
Yahoo board to spurn $44B Microsoft bid

SAN FRANCISCO - Yahoo Inc.'s board has concluded Microsoft Corp.'s $44.6 billion takeover bid undervalues the slumping Internet pioneer and plans to reject the unsolicited offer, a person familiar with the situation said Saturday.

The decision, first reported by The Wall Street Journal on its Web site, could trigger a showdown involving two of the world's most prominent technology companies.

If it wants Yahoo badly enough, Microsoft could try to override Yahoo's board by taking its offer — originally valued at $31 per share — directly to the shareholders. If Microsoft pursued that risky route, it will likely have to nominate its slate of directors to supplant Yahoo's current 10-member board.

Alternatively, Microsoft could sweeten its bid. Many analysts believe Microsoft is prepared to offer as much as $35 per share for Yahoo, which still boasts one of the Internet's largest audiences and most powerful advertising vehicles despite a prolonged slump that has hammered its stock.

Yahoo's board reached the decision after exploring a wide variety of alternatives during the past week, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press. The person didn't want to be identified because the reasons for Yahoo's rebuff won't be officially spelled out until Monday morning.

Microsoft and Yahoo declined to comment Saturday.

Source: Yahoo News

Re: Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Wed Feb 13, 2008 9:28 pm
by Bastilles76
In the days since Yahoo! announced they were rejecting Microsoft's $31/share bid, there have been reports that Yahoo! has talked to Google, AOL, and now News Corp. about forming an alliance. I wonder if any of these 3 are seriously interested or if Yahoo! is just trying to get Microsoft to think they are so they increase their bid.

Re: Google implies Microsoft/Yahoo hookup will ruin the Internet

Posted: Sun Mar 23, 2008 5:18 am
by bob1919
After Microsoft's latest development efforts, Google shouldn't worry about a thing.