Google's Purchase of ITA Software WIll Go Challenged

$700 million acquisition of ITA Software could be in jeopardy: The U.S. Justice Department is considering an antitrust lawsuit to challenge the pending merger, according to Bloomberg News. See full article from DailyFinance: http://srph.it/hV1MM3

The potential acquisition has spurred opposition from online travel agency Expedia (EXPE), global distribution operator Sabre Holdings and other companies, who've said the merger would likely stifle competition and innovation, ultimately hurting consumers. Last October, Expedia, Sabre and others formed a coalition called FairSearch.org to pressure the Justice Department to challenge the proposed deal. Google has maintained that the acquisition would spur innovation and help the online travel industry. See full article from DailyFinance: http://srph.it/hV1MM3 Google is not only a monopoly, but they go out of their way to stifle entrepreneurship and innovation.

Incidentally, I just applied to advertise on google adwords with Fare-Search.com (http://www.fare-search.com)

1. First i was denied because of some FAQ that mentioned something about copyright infringement etc.
2. Second, I was denied on that site because i had a DATA ENTRY AFFILITE tool on my site
3. Third, I was denied because then after i removed the data-entry affilite tool, it violated some strange landing page rule

There is no doubt in my mind that there will be an end to these dishonest and questionable business practices. THere is no way that "google travel" should be formed, and there must be severe penalties against google for disrupting free trade and entrepreneurship. At stake is control over a rapidly expanding online travel industry. Forrester Research projects that U.S. online leisure and "unmanaged travel" spending will surge 38% to about $111 billion in 2014 from $80 billion this year, and also forecasts that travel companies will almost double their annual spending on online advertising -- including search, display advertising, mobile and social media -- to about $5 billion in that time. Google, worth about $183 billion, continues to snap up companies at a rapid pace as it branches out into new technology-related industries. Late last month, the company reportedly bid about $6 billion for online coupon site Groupon, although the bid was rejected. See full article from DailyFinance: http://srph.it/hV1MM3

According to the article, Google pressed the government to make a decision about a possible lawsuit by invoking a provision of federal law that forces the government to make a decision within 30 days about whether or not to challenge the deal.

A number of software and online travel companies including Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Expedia (NASDAQ: EXPE) are in opposition of this deal being completed, but others such as Priceline.com (NASDAQ: PCLN) and Orbitz (NYSE: OWW) are supportive of the transaction.

The deal would allow Google to display flight times and prices in travel search results. During Thursday's trading session, online travel companies are seeing their stocks rise on the potential lawsuit from the Justice Department. Priceline.com (PCLN) shares have gained 0.75% to $437.51, Expedia (EXPE) is up 2.63% and Orbitz (OWW) has added 2.75% to $5.61.

R U Kidding me?