Google-Motorola Deal Approval Deadline Set For February 13 In Europe

The European Commission has set a February 13 deadline to decide whether or not to approve Google's $12.5 billion acquisition of Motorola. The new date comes after the commission suspended the January 10 deadline to wait for additional documents from Google.

The merger was first announced last August as a move to help defend Android in the patent war. Competitors such as Microsoft and Apple have been attacking Android OEMs with patent suits related to technologies used in the open-source Android platform. The merger would secure Motorola's massive patent portfolio, giving Google more leverage.

However, the purchase has concerned Google's Android partners as it could give Motorola an unfair advantage over other device makers. Google chairman Eric Schmidt had also expressed that the company wanted more control over hardware as part of the Motorola deal.

[via Reuters]