E.U. Starts In-Depth Investigation Into Google/DoubleClick Deal

European Union regulators continue their investigation of the potential impact on competition of Google's proposal to buy DoubleClick by opening a "second phase," which will extend the investigation for approximately four months. The deal is already under scrutiny in the U.S. after competitors such as Yahoo Inc. and Microsoft Corp. expressed concerns that the combination would hurt competition in the $40.6 billion global online-advertising market. In the E.U., publishers have also urged regulators to look at how Google's bid for DoubleClick may reduce advertising choices for media companies.