Google continues to believe that it will receive unconditional clearance by the European Commission for the proposed takeover of Motorola Mobility in the end, it is understood. The company thinks that remedies to address concerns by the regulator will…
Google continues to believe that it will receive unconditional clearance by the European Commission for the proposed takeover of Motorola Mobility in the end, it is understood. The company thinks that remedies to address concerns by the regulator will not be needed.
The view has not changed despite the EC’s recent decision to stop the clock of the ongoing merger review.
The EC halted the 25 working day phase I review last week, saying that Google needs to provide further documents before the review can be continued.
The clock will start again once all missing documents have been submitted.
Original deadline for the preliminary review of the transaction was 10 January 2012, provided the companies do not need to offer remedies. If the companies offer undertakings to address antitrust concerns in due course of this part of the review, the deadline is pushed back by 10 working days.
If no clearance is given at the end of this part of the investigation, it is followed by a 90 working day in depth review.
A Google spokesperson described the delay as “routine”, adding they expect the EC to “conclude that this acquisition is good for competition and we’ll be working closely and cooperatively with them as they continue their review.”
