It looks like Google acquired DoubleClick for over $3.1 billion dollars. Wow, that is a serious chunk of change! In my opinion, Google bought DoubleClick just to shut the door on Microsoft. In my view, it's looks more like an expensive defensive move, considering analysts were estimating the bidding to get up 2 billion between Microsoft, Google, and Yahoo. 3.1 Billion is another 1/3 on top of that! I guess they got cash to spare, but these kind of moves are going to hurt Google in the long run. Also, buying companies for much higher than they're worth, for no other reason than to shut out competition (not from just Microsoft, but from everyone), isn't good for consumers in the long term...

Update: Microsoft has released the following statement by Brad Smith, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Microsoft Corporation, on the proposed acquisition of DoubleClick by Google:

This proposed acquisition raises serious competition and privacy concerns in that it gives the Google DoubleClick combination unprecedented control in the delivery of online advertising, and access to a huge amount of consumer information by tracking what customers do online. We think this merger deserves close scrutiny from regulatory authorities to ensure a competitive online advertising market.