The European Commission has published in the Official Journal of the European Union of 27 January 2010 the prior notification of concentration between Microsoft and Yahoo Search Business

On 15 January 2010, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration by which Microsoft Corporation acquires control of the Search Business of Yahoo! Inc. by way of purchase of assets

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

• for the Yahoo! Search Business (NASDAQ:YHOO): On-line web-wide algorithmic search and search advertising.
• for Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT): Design, development and supply of computer software and the supply of related services on a worldwide basis.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of the EC Merger Regulation. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Thus, the Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (+32 22964301) by email to COMP-MERGER- REGISTRY@ec.europa.eu or by post or by post, under reference number COMP/M.5727 — Microsoft/Yahoo! Search Business, to the following address:

European Commission
Directorate-General for Competition
Merger Registry J-70
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel
BELGIQUE/BELGIËEN