Google optimistic regulators won't bar Yahoo

Apparently, Google believes regulators would not bar a potential business deal with Yahoo Inc because it would be "non-exclusive" and falls short of an outright merger. Yahoo is exploring alternatives to Microsoft Corp's $42.7 billion takeover offer, which the Web pioneer has rejected for being too low. The U.S. Justice Department is questioning the companies about potential competitive issues raised by a partnership, sources said this week, as Yahoo completed a two-week test of Google's system for selling ads alongside Yahoo's own Web search results. Google believes such a partnership would not be anti-competitive because it would be an arrangement in which Yahoo would use Google's more profitable search advertising platform to make more money for itself. A deal would be no different from partnerships Google has with other Web companies including Time Warner Inc's AOL and IAC/InterActiveCorp.
http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUSN2543490820080425