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India Launches Antitrust Probe of Google

India has launched an antitrust probe of Google Inc.’s online advertising business to investigate potential anti-competitive practices, according to government officials familiar with the matter.

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Google Discloses a Pair of Overseas Probes

Google Inc. formally disclosed a pair of inquiries under way in Argentina and South Korea this week, adding to global scrutiny of the Internet company.

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FTC Hires High-Profile Lawyer to Help Lead Google Probe

The Federal Trade Commission announced Thursday it has enlisted a seasoned litigator to help lead its antitrust investigation into whether Google Inc. has abused its dominance in Web-search advertising, a move that could provide a big boost to the agency’s legal team if it ultimately decides to bring a case against the search giant.

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As Software Industry Patent Wars Rage, the Consumer Is Not Without an Advocate

As leverage to avoid antitrust lawsuits, the Department of Justice has emphasized a little-known tool to regulate the cost of patent licenses.

Federal Judge Forces Apple, Google, Others to Face Antitrust Suit

A federal judge says there’s enough information that six tech companies had “do-not-cold-call” agreements between them that they have to face an antitrust suite from five software engineers.
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EU Expected to Approve Sony’s EMI Music Deal

European antitrust regulators are expected Thursday to approve a plan by a Sony Corp.-led investor group to buy EMI Group Ltd.’s huge music-publishing division for $2.2 billion, according to people familiar with the situation.

Another Down Day for Apple Shares

The stock is off for the fifth straight session after hitting an all-time high.
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Apple Fires Back at the Feds, Amazon

Apple responds to antitrust charges: “The launch of the iBookstore in 2010 fostered innovation and competition, breaking Amazon’s monopolistic grip on the publishing industry.”
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The Apple/Amazon Conspiracy That Never Happened

Apple competes ferociously with Amazon. But the feds say Cupertino considered a different strategy, where Apple would rule music and movies, and Amazon would rule e-books. Really?
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U.S. Sues Apple, Publishers Over E-Book Pricing

The U.S. filed an antitrust lawsuit Wednesday against Apple Inc. and five of the nation’s largest publishers, alleging they conspired to limit competition for the pricing of e-books.