Yahoo, Microsoft and AT&T Sour Grapes in Google, DoubleClick Deal

Sunday, April 15th, 2007 by Andy Beal

Yahoo, Microsoft and AT&T Sour Grapes in Google, DoubleClick Deal

What is the best way to act, when you’ve been out-bid for DoubleClick by Google. You walk away with your head held high and at least keep your dignity, right?

Not if you’re Yahoo, Microsoft or AT&T you don’t. According to CNET, having lost out to Google, the three jilted-suitors are starting a campaign to push regulators to examine the $3.2 billion purchase of DoubleClick.

Although the companies have yet to file any formal objections with regulators in the U.S. or Europe, they are beginning to publicly voice their concerns, according to a source close to one of the companies…If the deal goes through, Google would account for 80 percent of the ads served up on the Internet, the source said.

Does anyone else smell that faint whiff of hypocrisy coming from Redmond? Software companies in monopolistic houses shouldn’t throw stones!

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7 comments on “Yahoo, Microsoft and AT&T Sour Grapes in Google, DoubleClick Deal”

lyndonmaxewell Says:

April 15th, 2007 at 11:31 pm

lol.. Why don’t they spent some effort in examining future tactics to fight against Google instead of squabbling over this one? I guess this explains Google’s hold on the internet, if it requires 3 major companies to gang up against them.
What’s The Problem With The Acquistion of DoubleClick? » SELaplana Says:

April 16th, 2007 at 3:49 am

[...] So, why did Microsoft complains about the deal, when in fact the acquisition passed through the bidding first? Is it because Microsoft is really interested to own the DoubleClick? Well, it’s true. But it’s not only Microsoft that calls for the review of the deal, Yahoo! and At&T join Microsoft on it.Â Consider these words of Andy Beal: What is the best way to act, when youâ€™ve been out-bid for DoubleClick by Google. You walk away with your head held high and at least keep your dignity, right? [...]
Runa Says:

April 16th, 2007 at 5:46 am

Microsoft shouldnâ€™t throw stones of this kind at all. Anyway it’s true that Google is becoming another monopolistic giant.
Christopher Says:

April 16th, 2007 at 8:38 am

I will gladly fill out the paperwork for them to get the regulators to examine this situation, I for one was thinking this the moment I heard the sale was going through. It seems rather small minded to imagine that a public Company would be given this much share of voice without a hue and cry being raised.
I donâ€™t care what MSFT does, we the people should be objecting to this.
Stephen Ward Says:

April 16th, 2007 at 4:01 pm

Yeah, that was the first thing I thought when I read about Microsoft’s call for antitrust regulation. The whole thing makes them sound like spoiled brats who didn’t get their way. Really, not much more than I would’ve expected out of them, especially when it comes to Google, but it’s shamefully hypocritical nonetheless.
» Microsoft to Google: Play fair with your billions | Digital Markets | ZDNet.com Says:

May 22nd, 2007 at 6:37 pm

[...] “Sour grapes?” asks Andy Beal. [...]
With DoubleClick, Google Plugs Into Display Advertising Says:

June 22nd, 2007 at 8:13 am

[...] More Updates: Robert Scoble, Don Dodge.Google Watch, Washington Post, Things That, CNET News.com, A VC, Microsoft, Jeremy’s Blog, Scobleizer, Search Engine Roundtable, Oliver Thylmann’s Thoughts, Microsoft News Tracker, WebProNews, Silicon Valley Watcher, GigaOm, Inc. Magazine and Andy Beal’s Marketing Pilgrim — Jay Sears Sphere It [...]