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

Client Alert | less than 1 min read | 11.15.07

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.

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Client Alert | 4 min read | 09.15.26

GAO Indicates Reasonable Conflict of Interest Investigation Must Include Inquiry of Involved Firm

The U.S. Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recent decision in Viderity Inc.—Costs, B-424422.5, Sept. 1, 2026, offers useful insight into what constitutes a legally sufficient conflict of interest investigation. The decision arose in an unusual procedural posture: Viderity initially protested, alleging that an agency evaluator had a personal conflict of interest. After the agency took corrective action, Viderity filed a cost entitlement claim requesting that GAO direct the agency to reimburse Viderity’s protest costs. In evaluating that claim, GAO assessed whether Viderity’s underlying protest ground was “clearly meritorious.”...