Top DOJ Asset Integration Consultants Waiting for Your Call, Jerry Yang!

Yahoo’s exploratory advertising deal with Google has given it an alternative to Microsoft’s unsolicited takeover bid after all–the possibility of a federal antitrust investigation. The Justice Department is reportedly examining the companies’ dalliance amid concerns that it violates antitrust laws.

Which isn’t surprising at all, really. Together, Yahoo (YHOO) and Google (GOOG) control more than 80% of the U.S. search market. And as Microsoft (MSFT) general counsel Brad Smith will happily tell you, that’s anti-competitive. And he’d know, right?