Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Google buy of Groupon could see antitrust review
|
Edition:
U.S.
Article
Comments (0)
Email
Print
Reprints
Read
Wikileaks' Assange in UK, police know where: report
01 Dec 2010
Amazon stops hosting WikiLeaks website
01 Dec 2010
Elizabeth Smart storms out of kidnapper's trial
01 Dec 2010
Top U.S. military officer presses China over North Korea
01 Dec 2010
Elizabeth Smart storms out of kidnapper's trial
01 Dec 2010
Discussed
71
Saudi king urged U.S. to attack Iran: WikiLeaks
64
South Korea names security adviser as defense minister
64
Obama to propose two-year federal worker pay freeze
Watched
Bejeweled bra exposed in NY
Thu, Oct 21 2010
Row over vote orgasm video
Fri, Nov 19 2010
World reacts to WikiLeaks release
Mon, Nov 29 2010
Special Report
How BP's oil spill costs could double
The energy company's recent better-than-expected earnings gave investors hope it had turned a corner, but BP may be underestimating the final costs of the massive Gulf oil cleanup. Full Article
More Green Business headlines
Google buy of Groupon could see antitrust review
Tweet This
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Facebook
By Nadia Damouni
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc could run into antitrust scrutiny that would make any acquisition of discount coupon provider Groupon a long, complex affair, a source and experts said.
The two companies remain in direct...
Related News
UPDATE 3-Google buy of Groupon could see antitrust review
Wed, Dec 1 2010
Groupon expanding in Silicon Valley and Asia
Wed, Dec 1 2010
VENTURE CAPITAL-Groupon's success inspires copycats
Wed, Dec 1 2010
Google close to clinching Groupon deal: reports
Tue, Nov 30 2010
UPDATE 3-Google close to clinching Groupon deal -- reports
Tue, Nov 30 2010
Analysis & Opinion
EU antitrust pile-on overshadows Google’s Groupon
Google wants Groupon, but is the feeling mutual?
Related Topics
Technology »
Deals »
Inflows Outflows »
Media »
Stocks
An online coupon sent via email from Groupon is pictured on a laptop screen November 29, 2010 in Los Angeles. Google Inc is reportedly closing in on a deal to buy online discount-coupon sensation Groupon for up to $6 billion in its largest-ever acquisition, signaling a willingness to use some of its huge cash hoard to buy growth.
Credit: Reuters/Fred Prouser
By Nadia Damouni
NEW YORK |
Wed Dec 1, 2010 8:22pm EST
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Google Inc could run into antitrust scrutiny that would make any acquisition of discount coupon provider Groupon a long, complex affair, a source and experts said.
The two companies remain in direct negotiations, sources said on Wednesday.
"The more Google acquires, the more antitrust issues they are opening themselves up to," said a source familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity because the talks are ongoing. "That has to be considered."
The review process in the United States will take a long time, said one head of media investment banking who is not involved in the discussions.
But one argument that Google could make is that the barriers to entry for a discount coupon company are low, given the 80 to 100 participants already in the market, said a sector banker who is not involved in the talks.
A possible deal will undoubtedly bring more vendors and customers to one place, but that banker said Google will be able to assert that although it is buying a big participant, the deal is not anticompetitive.
Groupon said it would not address any speculation about its business, an apparent reference to media reports on Tuesday that Google was close to buying it for $6 billion.
Google shares gained 1.6 percent to close at $564.35 on Wednesday.
Chicago-based Groupon separately said it was acquiring Ludic Labs, which develops local marketing services including Offer Foundry and Diddit. It also announced the opening of an office in downtown Palo Alto, California, and plans to expand its team there from 25 people to more than 100 in the next year.
Late on Tuesday, Groupon said it had acquired three "daily deal" websites -- uBuyiBuy, Beeconomic and Atlaspost -- to expand its reach across East and Southeast Asia. Atlaspost has more than 1.2 million users in Taiwan, Groupon said.
Groupon did not disclose terms of any of the transactions.
The company sends its members daily e-mails with details of discounts for 200 goods and services. The deals are activated only when a minimum number of people agree to make a purchase, giving Groupon the clout to negotiate steep group discounts on products and services.
The three Asian companies, active in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, will transition to the Groupon brand in a few months.
Groupon also launched Groupon Hong Kong, Groupon Singapore, Groupon Philippines and Groupon Taiwan on Wednesday.
"We see enormous potential in the Asian marketplace," President Rob Solomon said in a statement.
Groupon's global network has more than 33 million subscribers in 35 countries.
(Reporting by Martinne Geller in New York and Melanie Lee in Shanghai; Editing by Chris Lewis, Lisa Von Ahn and Matthew Lewis)
Technology
Deals
Inflows Outflows
Media
We welcome comments that advance the story directly or with relevant tangential information. We try to block comments that use offensive language, all capital letters or appear to be spam, and we review comments frequently to ensure they meet our standards. If you see a comment that you believe is irrelevant or inappropriate, you can flag it to our editors by using the report abuse links. Views expressed in the comments do not represent those of Reuters.
Comments (0)
Be the first to comment on reuters.com.
Add yours using the box above.
Social Stream (What's this?)
© Copyright 2010 Thomson Reuters
Editorial Editions:
Africa
Arabic
Argentina
Brazil
Canada
China
France
Germany
India
Italy
Japan
Latin America
Mexico
Russia
Spain
United Kingdom
United States
Reuters
Contact Us
Advertise With Us
Help
Journalism Handbook
Archive
Site Index
Video Index
Reader Feedback
Mobile
Newsletters
RSS
Podcasts
Widgets
Your View
Analyst Research
Thomson Reuters
Copyright
Disclaimer
Privacy
Professional Products
Professional Products Support
Financial Products
About Thomson Reuters
Careers
Online Products
Acquisitions Monthly
Buyouts
Venture Capital Journal
International Financing Review
Project Finance International
PEhub.com
PE Week
FindLaw
Reuters on Facebook
Thomson Reuters is the world's largest international multimedia news agency, providing investing news, world news, business news, technology news, headline news, small business news, news alerts, personal finance, stock market, and mutual funds information available on Reuters.com, video, mobile, and interactive television platforms. Thomson Reuters journalists are subject to an Editorial Handbook which requires fair presentation and disclosure of relevant interests.
NYSE and AMEX quotes delayed by at least 20 minutes. Nasdaq delayed by at least 15 minutes. For a complete list of exchanges and delays, please click here.
Other News on Thursday, 2 December 2010 Pakistan rejects fears over its nuclear weapons
|
Pakistan passed potential attack info to Israel
|
Ivory Coast president party says rebels rigged poll
|
Darfur mediators face violent protests
|
Northern Europe freezes, Cyprus in drought
|
S.African teen sex challenges anti-AIDS fight
Paksitani stocks, o/n rates end lower; rupee firms
Groupon expanding in Silicon Valley and Asia
|
Verizon to launch new high-speed service on Sunday
|
German patent firm wins part of battle vs Nokia
|
RIM launches patent suit against startup Kik
|
Israel's Cellcom network suffering major fault
|
Elton John edits UK newspaper for World AIDS Day
|
Johnny Depp driven nuts by French language
|
Uma Thurman stalker back in jail
|
US soldier gets 9 months for killing Afghan civilians
Wikileaks' Assange in UK, police know where: report
|
US-TECH Summary
Israel unveils new residential plan near East Jerusalem
Eurozone braces for radical ECB liquidity move
Take-Two sees opportunity in digital
U.S. views Chavez in axis of mischief: leak
|
'Critical safety issue' with Rolls A380 engine
Canada probing possible US misconduct in Afghanistan
Motorola eyes home streaming to mobile
China says North Korea ties have survived tempest
|
Fed lifts lid on crisis lending to non-US banks
NATO member killed in roadside bomb in Afghanistan
FTC backs "do not track" tool for Web users
Obama extends drilling ban in wake of BP spill
Putin warns West over missile defence: report
|
NZealand website defends topless breast cancer campaign
South Africa's anti-AIDS drugs reach a million people
Egypt's opposition groups quit "rigged" vote
Ivory Coast president wants vote cancelled: party
|
Higuain facing surgery for herniated disk
Israel unveils new residential plan near East Jerusalem
|
Afghan election body declares parliamentary results final
German EON offloads 'milestone' Gazprom stake
Afghanistan announces last set of election results
|
Migration watch saves Israeli jets from bird strike
US firms post best job gains in three years
Congo army commander hit with U.N. sanctions
|
Gambhir leads India to easy one-day win over NZ
Iran says U.N. sanctions helped scientist's killers
FCC chief backs some rationing of Internet traffic
Tom Hanks to star in controversial Latino film
Amazon drops WikiLeaks under political pressure
Ben Affleck wants to make movie about DRCongo
U.S. initiates post-WikiLeaks security crackdown
Google buy of Groupon could see antitrust review
Belarus to eliminate highly-enriched uranium stocks
News trumps celebrity in 2010 Web searches
Netflix scrambles future of TV and films
Motorola eyes home streaming to mobile
Google buy of Groupon could see antitrust review
|
FTC backs do not track tool for Web users
|
Motorola eyes home streaming to mobile
|
German patent firm wins part of battle vs Nokia
Take-Two sees opportunity in digital
|
Netflix scrambles future of TV and films
|
Malaysia launches women-only buses
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Media companies look beyond today's App stores
|
Eminem and R&B singer Bruno Mars lead Grammy nominees
News trumps celebrity in 2010 Web searches
|
Madonna's new gym overcomes Mexican bureaucracy
Michael Jackson's dad refiles lawsuit against doctor
US museum pulls video after Catholic complaints
Marshals' order calls for Wesley Snipes to start sentence
Tom Hanks to star in controversial Latino film
Sundance unveils competition films for 2011 festival
Ben Affleck wants to make movie about DRCongo
Seoul shares gain as chip maker bounce; Kia gains
South Korea bonds pare losses on policy rate views
NZ 2013 govt bonds yield 4.19 pct at tender
N.Korea may shell South again in 2010 -Japan media
US, S.Korea push for auto, beef deal to save pact
S.Korea economy grows 0.7 pct in Q3, revised figure confirms
South Korea won advances as stocks, euro bounce
Seoul shares open up as euro fears ebb
Eminem and R&B singer Bruno Mars lead Grammy nominees
|
Indian ex-minister in telecom row bemoans trial by media
Marshals order Wesley Snipes to start sentence by December 9
|
RPT-NZ housing confidence touch softer in Q3
Sundance unveils competition films for 2011 festival
|
Soul icon Solomon Burke earns posthumous Grammy nod
|
News
Prosecutor says Russia virtual 'mafia state': WikiLeaks
Israel to blame for "collapse" of talks
Swedish High Court refuses WikiLeaks founder appeal
|
Northern Europe counts cost of big freeze
|
Climate talks hit bump as Lula expects no result
Snow batters Europe again, Britain grinds to halt
UN nuclear chief steps up pressure over Syria site
Israel to blame for collapse of talks: Abbas aide
|
Russia to increase missiles unless shield agreed: Putin
IAEA laments lack of Iran cooperation before talks
|
EU must spend more to fight terrorism: EU official
|
FA condemn pitch invasion on eve of 2018 vote
Russia opens world's first nuclear fuel bank
NATO: 3 service members killed in Afghanistan
Greek police clash with students, fire teargas
|
German EON sells Gazprom stake for 3.4 billion euros
UK Afghan hostage death blamed on U.S. grenade
|
Egypt opposition party to abandon seats won in vote
|
Clinton visits Kyrgyzstan for talks with president
Suspect in death of Hollywood publicist kills himself
Leaders battle for deal to boost OSCE powers
Japan gives go-ahead to Japan-Google deal
Tension, acrimony as World Cup vote looms
China says North Korea ties survived "tempests"
Strong US data sends Asian markets surging
UN atomic watchdog 'concerned' over N.Korea
Diller steps down as IAC CEO, Malone swaps stake for cash
|
Eminem caps comeback year with 10 Grammy nods
Qantas prepares to sue Rolls-Royce over engine blast
Vietnam price controls 'a WTO violation'
Acer sees shortages as smartphone demand surprises
|
Suspect in death of Hollywood publicist kills himself
Pakistani stocks end near 29-mth high; rupee weakens
EDITORIAL: New policy on N. Korea
Yahoo Japan: Google deal gets regulatory green light
|
Soul icon Solomon Burke earns posthumous Grammy nod
Seoul in panic over leaked US diplomatic cables
S.Korea regulator says capital control steps to go ahead
Time Warner's Bewkes skeptical of Netflix plan
|
Taiwan central bank to meet on policy Dec 30-source
Foreign firms' path to China's A-share market eased
Pakistan's forex reserves ease to $16.74 billion
Detained Indonesian terror suspect to have operation next week
Taiwan firms start issuing dollar-denominated CP
Indonesia to relocate its first planned nuke power plant
At least three to bid for AIG Taiwan unit -sources
Angelina Jolie defends Bosnian directorial debut
|
Queen Elizabeth shed tears at Narnia film ending: Neeson
|
A Minute With: Kirsten Dunst and All Good Things
|
Suspect in death of Hollywood publicist kills himself
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights