Congress may review Microsoft/Yahoo deal

It's been hard enough for Microsoft to convince Yahoo to accept its proposed $44.6 billion bid. But it might be even tougher to persuade Congress that the deal won't violate antitrust laws. Members of Congress have already indicated that the takeover, if it gets approved by Yahoo, will face scrutiny under the congressional microscope. "I'm pretty confident it will end up before the House Judiciary Committee," said California Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. Senator Herb Kohl, chairman of a Senate antitrust panel, has said that his subcommittee expects to hold hearings on the implications of the deal, should Yahoo accept Microsoft's offer.

And that's not all. Privacy groups are getting ready for a fight too. They are likely to ask the Justice Department or the Federal Trade Commission to block the deal or demand privacy-related concessions. Yahoo has not yet said "Yes" to its suitor, and there are plenty of rumblings that it could head off in a different direction. So stay tuned. Just because Microsoft wants to hand over a massive sum of money, it doesn't mean a deal will be signed, sealed and delivered any time soon.

For more on the Microsoft/Yahoo obstacles:
- See this CNET article
- also see this CNET article
- and check out this BBC article