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Breaking News Alert: Justice Dept. allows Google to buy online travel company

April 8, 2011 12:42:45 PM

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Government officials are letting Google proceed with its $700 million purchase of airline fare tracker ITA. The deal will establish the Internet search giant as a key player in the online travel market.

The purchase gives Google control over the technology that powers the reservation systems of most major U.S. airlines and many popular online fare-comparison services, including Kayak, TripAdvisor and Hotwire.

But the antitrust clearance by the Justice Department comes with conditions.

Google will be required to license ITA's software to other companies, and it will be prohibited from accessing any proprietary data or technology of ITA customers that resides on or runs through ITA servers.

http://link.email.washingtonpost.com/r/GWSCIY/M93JF1/X6ZJ7S/T4EBKX/ZIDP0/UP/h
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