Google Joins Race to Buy DoubleClick

Back in the day. before Google revolutionized online advertising, there was DoubleClick, the company that served up annoying banner ads that nobody ever clicked on -- still don't, really. But, by virtue of being (pretty much), the only game in town, the company scrapped up a meager existence. Last week, word emerged that Microsoft was interested in acquiring the company, as it hoped to goose its own online advertising ambitions. And now the Journal is reporting that Google may outbid Microsoft. This looks like a largely defensive move, as it hopes to cut Microsoft off before it can get going, even if it means acquiring a loser like DoubleClick.

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