Microsoft Actively Lobbying Against Doubleclick Deal

Microsoft is actively getting into the business of lobbying the federal government to reject the Google-DoubleClick merger, government documents indicate.

A Wednesday Associated Press article detailed a lobbying disclosure form that the Redmond company is required to file with Congress. It showed that Microsoft hired Patton Boggs LLP to lobby the government concerning the DoubleClick merger.

Microsoft would not address the subject specifically in requests for comment, only offering that Google's attempt to acquire the advertising network should be closely reviewed.

The company is fresh off completing its own advertising merger, having closed a $6 billion deal with aQuantive. Microsoft has hopes that the acquisition will put it on more even footing and strengthen its position in the ad industry.

The DoubleClick merger has been one of the most highly contested tech mergers of 2007. Several groups have already filed complaints with the FTC saying that the merger could harm user privacy, and Congress has expressed concern with Google controlling too much of the ad industry.

Both houses of Congress plan to hold hearings on the subject in the Fall.