Regulators have begun to take a long, hard look at whether the AT&T buyout of T-Mobile would create a quasi-monopoly in the American cellular carrier industry. If those antitrust concerns sink the deal, AT&T could be in real trouble, because cellular is its only clear hope for growth.
In its first government complaint against a rival, Microsoft has accused Google of antitrust behavior in Europe. The European Commission is investigating the search giant after smaller websites alleged that Google was unfairly burying them in search results.
Apple CEO Steve Jobs has been ordered by a federal judge to answer questions in an iTunes antitrust lawsuit, according to Reuters. Jobs will respond to allegations that Apple designed its software in a way that prevented competitor RealNetworks' music files from playing on iPods.
The clock is ticking for U.S. regulators to decide whether to sue Google to prevent its announced $700 million merger with ITA Software, the maker of the largest airfare-pricing platform. Google last month invoked a legal provision that gives the Justice Department 30 days to make a decision.
Comcast got an early Christmas present Thursday, when the Federal Communications Commission chairman approved its huge merger with NBC Universal. The proposal comes with conditions meant to protect net neutrality, but vagueness renders the terms nearly meaningless -- and unlikely to inspire much confidence.
The EC says it's launching a formal, in-depth investigation into Google's treatment of search rivals, setting the stage for yet another potential legal entanglement over whether Google is unfairly taking advantage of its dominant market position.
Several online travel sites launched a coalition Tuesday to shoot down Google's proposed $700 million buyout of flight search technology developer ITA Software, issuing a mayday to federal antitrust regulators to challenge the deal.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has been sued by the U.S. Justice Department for what regulators say are actions by the insurer that boost both hospital and consumer costs while stifling competition.
The Justice Department filed an antitrust lawsuit against American Express Monday, alleging that the financial institution has been engaging in anticompetitive practices. Justice also said it reached a proposed settlement with Visa and MasterCard over similar charges.
On Friday, the Justice Department announced it had settled with six tech giants that had made anticompetitive agreements not to poach top employees from each other. That may have been an issue two years ago, but not now as a major talent war rages in Silicon Valley.
