Australian trade regulator reviews Google DoubleClick deal anew
Just when the Google DoubleClick acquisition seemed to be off the radar, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is putting pressure on Google with an “informal review” of unresolved acquisition issues.
The ACCC is quietly asking online publishers, digital agencies and other internet service groups on how the acquisition deal would impact the Australian market.
Specifically, the ACCC is probing whether Google’s acquisition of the DoubleClick would give Google a market advantage over other search engines and advertising providers to the point that it could put its competitors out of business. The ACCC had summarized 10 issues relevant to the controversial acquisition deal and had asked opinion from prominent online advertising industry experts.
The ACCC also wants to ensure that the price of Google advertising and rates paid to Australian web publishers would not be greatly affected by the DoubleClick acquisition.
Despite this new investigation being conducted, a Google representative from its regional office in Australia told The Sydney Morning Herald that Google is confident that the results of the ACCC review will be favorable.
“DoubleClick and Google provide different services to each other and we’ve provided information to the ACCC in the normal cause.”
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February 5th, 2008
Outrageous.