Double whammy

Microsoft has enlisted the aid of a lobbying firm to persuade Congress to reject Google's acquisition of DoubleClick, reports The Associated Press.

Patton Boggs LLP has been hired by the software giant to convince Congressional members that the purchase stifles competition and raises substantial privacy concerns. The move is the culmination of concerns first expressed by Microsoft as soon as the deal was announced.

Congress is already planning hearings on the Google/DoubleClick deal, arguably the largest of the recent wave of interactive acquisitions. Those hearings are scheduled for sometime in the late summer/early fall after Congress returns from recess.