Regulators in U.S., Europe OK Google's Motorola bid
February 13, 2012 3:05 PM
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators have approved Google’s $12.5 billion bid for Motorola Mobility. The announcement Monday came just hours after Google won clearance in Europe.
Google still needs approval from China, Taiwan and Israel before completing the deal.
Google Inc. is counting on Motorola Mobility Holding Inc.’s more than 17,000 patents — a crucial weapon in an intellectual arms race with Apple, Microsoft and other rivals to gain more control over smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices.
