Connecticut AG looking into Google's charge against Microsoft
60027
Blog: The U.S. government rejected Google's initial complaint that Microsoft was engaging in anticompetitive behavior, but at least one state attorney general is willing to look into it.
376115
Internet giant Google was accused Monday of misleading web users and misidentifying sponsored links in a court case brought by Australia&#39;s consumer watchdog.
373574
(InfoWorld) - Google still hopes to influence changes that Microsoft plans to make in Vista's desktop search function, even after the parties involved in Microsoft's 2002 antitrust settlement agreed to alterations to the search system. On Monday, in response to Microsoft's opposition to an earlier request, Google asked that the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia allow it to weigh in as an interested party regarding the way the search function should be changed. The filing comes two weeks after Microsoft and the plaintiffs in the antitrust suit said that they had worked together and agreed to changes. The concerns about the desktop search function initially arose after Google complained to the plaintiffs and state attorney generals late last year that Microsoft's desktop search put third-party desktop search providers at a disadvantage. According to the terms of Microsoft's antitrust settlement, third parties like Google must address their complaints about Microsoft's compliance with the settlement to the plaintiffs and the states. In their quarterly report to the court on June 19, Microsoft and the plaintiffs told the judge that based on Google's complaint, they had agreed on a way for Microsoft to change Vista desktop search to satisfy third party concerns. However, on June 25, the night before the judge was set to meet with the parties to discuss the quarterly report, Google made a filing to the court asking to weigh in on the case. In addition to the request, Google included the comments that it wanted to file as a third party. In a response filing, Microsoft called the move an attempt at an "end-run" around the terms of the settlement agreement, which require third parties to work with the plaintiffs, not directly with the court. Microsoft also argued that the matter is settled already, so there's no issue for Google to participate in resolving. It also argued that Google isn't qualified to participate because it isn't a party involved in the antitrust case. During the discussion of the quarterly report last week, the judge appeared to agree with Microsoft. Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly remarked then that the plaintiffs serve as representatives of the consumer and that Google isn't a party in the case. Google's filing on Monday is in response to Microsoft's filing. Google argues that it can offer an important and useful perspective to the situation because it is a developer of a desktop search product and because it initially drew the attention of the plaintiffs to the Vista desktop search issue. Google is also asking for more information about the agreed changes so that it may determine whether they go far enough. If Google thinks the changes aren't enough, it wants to have the opportunity to offer its opinions to the court, according to the filing. The next step is for the judge to decide whether to allow Google's participation.
451332
European group asks for an investigation into how Google's DoubleClick acquisition could affect privacy rights.
293446
Doubts over charges against a US firm underscore concerns about the legal system and foreign investment.
604011
A Microsoft Corp. attorney will attack Google Inc.'s book search service in a speech Tuesday to the Association of American Publishers (AAP), saying Google is misappropriating principles of fair use to further its own business model.
423583
Antitrust authorities will conduct an extended investigation into Google's  proposed acquisition of Web ad supplier DoubleClick Inc., Google said on Tuesday.
582808
By PATRICK CONDON MINNEAPOLIS - Best Buy is under investigation by Connecticut's attorney general after consumers complained they were denied deals found at the electronic retailer's Web site by store employees who pulled up a lookalike site that listed higher prices on some merchandise.
624940
The federal judge overseeing Microsoft's compliance with a 2002 antitrust settlement will allow Google to file a brief detailing its objection to a June agreement between Microsoft and government regulators regarding desktop search features in Windows Vista.
386438
By MICHAEL LIEDTKE SAN FRANCISCO - Internet search leader Google Inc. is trying to convince federal and state authorities that Microsoft Corp.'s Vista operating system is stifling competition as the high-tech heavyweights wrestle for the allegiance of personal computer users.
755763
A nonprofit group charges that Google hosts potentially copyrighted videos on Google Video.
108770
Google is finding itself increasingly having to explain its planned acquisition of DoubleClick, and is now being asked to testify in September as part of a broader Congressional inquiry into advertising industry consolidation.
496539
Pot calls kettle... The US Justice Department has urged state authorities to reject Google's anti-trust claim against Microsoft.â¦
127856
By Jessica Mintz  SEATTLE  --  Google Inc. is pressing for an extension to U.S. Justice Department oversight of Microsoft Corp.'s business practices, most of which is set to expire in November, according to a court filing Monday.
64682
A trademark infringement suit against Google may alter how the search industry makes a profit.
536908
WASHINGTON -- The judge overseeing Microsoft Corp.'s antitrust settlement said Tuesday she would not immediately address complaints Google Inc. has made about Microsoft's Windows Vista software.
572266
The acquisition by Microsoft and Time Warner of a company with a significant portfolio of patents covering digital rights management technologies generates scrutiny by European antitrust regulators. The main focus of the investigation: Microsoft. By Wendy M. Grossman.