Broad opposition meeting Yahoo-Google ad deal

By Ed Oswald | Published May 12, 2008, 5:52 PM

While the company may be free of Microsoft, Yahoo is now facing pushback over its planned advertising deal with Google.

Even though no deal has been officially reached, the mention of discussions has some calling for government intervention over antitrust issues. Several interest groups across a wide variety of industries are asking the Justice Department to step in.

The DOJ is already interested in Yahoo's apparent moves to embrace Google ad technology. Testing is reportedly underway, and if the deal becomes permanent, it may require regulatory approval.

16 different groups including the Black Leadership Forum, and even the American Corn Growers Association are saying any pact between Google and Yahoo would be anticompetitive.

The groups fear that such a deal would be a threat to privacy and choice, which would hurt small and medium businesses across the country. At least one of the groups, the Black Leadership Forum, also played a role in opposing the XM-Sirius merger, which was given approval by federal regulators.

Microsoft is not listed among the organizations asking for a review. It is not known if any of the groups may have business dealings with the Redmond company through its own advertising programs, including adCenter.

View comments by with a score of at least

'A pivot from war to peace:' The AMD + Intel armistice, in their own words

An extraordinary day in technology history is recognized by two long-time rivals that mutually decided it's futile to fight anyplace else except the marketplace.

PS3, Xbox to soon get Twitter, Facebook integration

Both Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Sony's PlayStation 3 will integrate with Facebook in the near future.

Windows Marketplace for Mobile now available in browser, iTunes' App Store still not

You can now check out what Windows Marketplace for Mobile has to offer without a Windows Phone.

Microsoft damage control after marketer claims Win7 inspired by Mac

Have you ever said anything you wish you could take back? Ever? No? Not even once? Well then, you won't sympathize with a mid-level Microsoft manager today.

Blockbuster's way down, but poised for a comeback

Though it took a serious beating in 2009, Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes says the company can turn it around.

iTunes Preview deson't go far enough to create Web-based option for store

Apple has rolled out iTunes Preview, a Web interface for browsing iTunes.

PDC 2009 Preview: The move to Office 2010 and Visual Studio 2010

The major focus of Microsoft's conference next week will likely be explaining why two pillars of its software sales strategy deserve to remain where they are.

Dell's first smartphone aids the Android onslaught

Longtime PC leader Dell has finally announced its Android-based smarphone.

After the Intel + AMD armistice: Do we really want a level playing field?

Scott Fulton On Point: One by one, the reasons for us to continue suspending the course toward open and fair competition in IT, are dropping like flies.

FLO TV launches pocketable, smartphone-like TVs

Qualcomm's FLO TV Personal Television made by HTC launches in retail today.

Google acquires Gizmo5, builds IP telephony portfolio

Google Voice today confirmed rumors that it would acquire IP telephony company Gizmo5