I was wondering what will Google‘s response be, when it comes to the Yahoo! Microsoft deal. I came across this post which has some interesting points and it gives a clear idea about what Google’s concerns are, about this deal.

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.

Yes, that is a serious concern. Microsoft is always for copyrights, making the PC costly, making the computing itself costly.. and it kept it away from masses for a long time. Now, do you see low cost laptops entering market with Linux OS on it ? don’t you think it could have been much earlier, if Microsoft’s approach was different ?

Another question

Could the acquisition of Yahoo! allow Microsoft — despite its legacy of serious legal and regulatory offenses — to extend unfair practices from browsers and operating systems to the Internet? In addition, Microsoft plus Yahoo! equals an overwhelming share of instant messaging and web email accounts. And between them, the two companies operate the two most heavily trafficked portals on the Internet. Could a combination of the two take advantage of a PC software monopoly to unfairly limit the ability of consumers to freely access competitors’ email, IM, and web-based services? Policymakers around the world need to ask these questions — and consumers deserve satisfying answers. Continue reading →