야후 인수 제안을 둘러싼 마이크로소프트(이하 MS)와 구글의 설전이 ‘핑퐁게임’으로 치닫고 있습니다.
구글이 MS의 야후 인수 제안을 공개 비난하고 나선 데 이어, 이번에는 MS가 공식 보도자료를 내고 반박하고 나섰군요.
2월3일자(현지시각)로 MS 공식 보도자료 사이트에 올린 성명서에서 브래드 스미스 MS 선임부사장은 “검색과 온라인 광고의 지배적 사업자는 구글”이라며 구글의 비난을 정면으로 치받았는데요. 전세계 검색 시장의 75%를 점유한 구글이 ‘독점’ 운운할 자격이 있느냐는 비판인 셈입니다. 성명서 내용을 요약하자면 이렇습니다.
“MS와 야후의 결합은 인터넷 검색과 온라인 광고시장을 양대 경쟁구도로 만들어, 보다 경쟁적인 시장을 형성하게 할 것이다.”
“오늘날 구글은 검색과 온라인 광고의 지배적 사업자다. 전세계 검색 시장의 75%를 차지하고 있으며, 그 비중은 점차 늘어나고 있다. 구글의 검색쿼리 점유율은 미국에서 65%, 유럽에선 85% 이상이다. 이에 비해 MS와 야후를 합해도 미국에서 30%, 유럽에선 대략 10%에 불과하다.”
“MS도 개방과 혁신, 인터넷의 개인정보 보호에 동의한다. MS와 야후의 결합은 이런 목표를 앞당기는 역할을 할 것이다.”
문제는 다시 ‘반독점’으로 돌아갑니다. MS의 야후 인수 여부에 관계 없이 MS와 구글을 둘러싼 반독점 논란은 결론을 내리기가 쉽지 않은만큼 오랜 기간동안 뜨거운 이슈로 남을 전망입니다.
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Statement from Brad Smith, General Counsel, Microsoft
REDMOND, Wash., Feb. 3, 2008 - The combination of Microsoft and Yahoo! will create a more competitive marketplace by establishing a compelling number two competitor for Internet search and online advertising. The alternative scenarios only lead to less competition on the Internet.
Today, Google is the dominant search engine and advertising company on the Web. Google has amassed about 75 percent of paid search revenues worldwide and its share continues to grow. According to published reports, Google currently has more than 65 percent search query share in the U.S. and more than 85 percent in Europe. Microsoft and Yahoo! on the other hand have roughly 30 percent combined in the U.S. and approximately 10 percent combined in Europe.
Microsoft is committed to openness, innovation, and the protection of privacy on the Internet. We believe that the combination of Microsoft and Yahoo! will advance these goals.
This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. In connection with the proposed transaction, Microsoft Corp. plans to file with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-4 containing a proxy statement/prospectus and other documents regarding the proposed transaction. The definitive proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to shareholders of Yahoo! Inc. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF YAHOO! INC. ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC by Microsoft Corp. through the Web site maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Free copies of the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus (when available) and other documents filed with the SEC can also be obtained by directing a request to Investor Relations Department, Microsoft Corp., One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Wash. 98052-6399.
Microsoft Corp. and its directors and executive officers and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed transaction. Information regarding Microsoft Corp.’s directors and executive officers is available in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2007, which was filed with the SEC on Aug. 8, 2007, and its proxy statement for its 2007 annual meeting of shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on Sept. 29, 2007. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.
All information in this communication is as of Feb. 3, 2008. Microsoft Corp. undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in the company’s expectations.
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