Google gets China OK to buy Motorola

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Google gets China OK to buy Motorola
Updated 10m ago

NEW YORK (AP) – Authorities in China have approved Google Inc.'s bid to buy phone maker Motorola Mobility, clearing the way for the $12.5 billion deal to close early next week.

But Chinese regulators attached a big condition: That Google's Android operating system for mobile devices remain available to all at no cost for the next five years.

The approval brings the Internet search giant closer to sealing its biggest acquisition ever. Buying Motorola allows Google to expand into manufacturing phones, tablet computers and other consumer devices for the first time. The deal also gives Google access to more than 17,000 Motorola patents.

The Chinese government approved the deal on Saturday, Google spokeswoman Niki Fenwick said. "We look forward to closing the deal," she said.



Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/story/2012-05-19/google-to-buy-motorola/55082932/1

[NYC_SKP]

1. "China, May I?"

There was a time when we didn't need their permission for shit.

Grumble grumble grumble.

[RC]

2. And to think I could have bought a few shares of Google when then first went public.

Oh, well.

[onehandle]

3. The world's biggest ad spammer needs to broken up by the Feds. nt

[cstanleytech]

4. Wont happen. nt

[agent46]

5. Google's bigger than the Feds

Welcome to the new global corporate normal.

[secondvariety]

6. China owns Motorola?

Did not know that.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

7. no it's about their market

Questions of mergers and monopolies used to need the 'OK' by regulators from the US and the EU. Now the Chinese market is so large that are demanding regulatory adherence from companies too.