Google offers Yahoo lifeline to thwart bid
(DAILY YOMIURI ONLINE, Japan)

Google Inc. offered help to Yahoo Inc. in any effort to thwart Microsoft Corp.'s unsolicited 44.6 billion dollars bid for Yahoo, The Wall Street Journal reported on its Web site Sunday.

However, industry data shows Google has an about 60 percent share in the Internet Web search market in the United States, whereas Yahoo has an about 20 percent share, meaning the two firms would have the combined share of about 80 percent if their businesses are merged.

As such, antitrust regulators are highly likely to bar integration of the two Web search companies, making a Google takeover of Yahoo or merger of the two companies unlikely, according to industry sources.

Google is believed to be considering forming a business alliance with Yahoo or helping the firm tie up with any other companies and maintain Yahoo as an independent company.