Date:14/12/11

Google, Motorola merger review in Europe delayed

European antitrust review of Google Inc.'s planned $12.5 billion purchase of Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. has been suspended while regulators seek more data on the proposed deal from Google.

Google had filed its notification of the merger with the European Commission on Nov. 25, with a provisional deadline to issue a decision on the matter set for Jan. 10.

But a recent online posting by the commission indicated that the deadline to issue a decision on the merger was suspended on Dec. 6.

"The European Commission has asked for more information, which is routine, while they review our Motorola Mobility acquisition," a Google spokeswoman said in a statement.

"We're confident the commission will conclude that this acquisition is good for competition and we'll be working closely and cooperatively with them as they continue their review," the spokeswoman said.

A European Commission spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Google stunned the technology world with its announcement in August that it would purchase Motorola, which produces mobile devices compatible with Google's software.

Google said at the time that the purchase was being made in part to obtain thousands of Motorola patents that could help protect Google's Android mobile software from patent-infringement lawsuits.

The U.S. Justice Department issued a request for additional information about the planned merger in September, as part of its own antitrust review of the deal. Google shares traded down 0.7% to $623.20, while Motorola Mobility shares were down 0.6% to $38.64.

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