Microsoft, Yahoo Take Step in Search Alliance

Microsoft, Yahoo Take Step in Search Alliance

IT companies Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo Inc. have signed off on their plan to team up against Google Inc. in the lucrative Internet search market. The step announced Friday seals the terms of a preliminary agreement announced in late July. The 10-year contract was to be signed by late October, but IT services providers held off to work out some fine points.
Government regulators still must approve the proposed partnership before Microsoft and Yahoo can begin working together. The two companies believe they will clear that final hurdle early next year. If regulators give their blessing, Microsoft hopes to begin to power Yahoo's search engine in the United States by the middle of the next year.