VR-Zone

 

The $12.5 billion buyout has been held up by lengthy investigations by regulators across the world, but the European Commission recently ruled that the deal would not negatively impact competition and therefore should be allowed to go ahead. Hours later the US Department of Justice also approved the acquisition.

 

However, both regulators said they would keep a close eye on the behaviour of all companies in the mobile sector and expressed concern over the use of patents to crush competition, suggesting they might bring in new laws to put an end to the recent spate of patent lawsuits.

 

 

Samsung was recently brought up by the European Commission on allegations of patent abuse, but other companies, such as Apple and Motorola Mobility, could also face scrutiny. It is largely believed that Google's bid for Motorola Mobility was to gain its portfolio of over 17,000 patents, which could also bring Google into the crossfire.

 

The European and US approval was largely considered the biggest obstacle for Google to overcome, and one that Google VP Don Harrison said was an “important milestone,” but the company still needs approval from regulators in China, Taiwan and Israel before the deal goes through. Approval from Europe and the US makes it increasingly likely, however, that the acquisition will be given the green light elsewhere as well.

 

Source: BBC