Last April, Microsoft urged “regulatory authorities” to investigate Google's $3.1 billion acquisition of DoubleClick, alleging that the deal harms competition. (Pot meet kettle, kettle this is pot.) Google responded by issuing a 49-page complaint to the Department of Justice, claiming Microsoft is violating its 2001 anti-trust settlement because Vista won't play nice with Google Desktop Search and, oh by the way Last April, Microsoft urged “regulatory authorities” to investigate Google’s $3.1 billion acquisition of DoubleClick, alleging that the deal harms competition. (Pot meet kettle, kettle this is pot.) Google responded by issuing a 49-page complaint to the Department of Justice, claiming Microsoft is violating its 2001 anti-trust settlement because Vista won’t play nice with Google Desktop Search and, oh by the way, have you noticed Microsoft’s $6 billion acquisition of aQuantive?Now it seems the FTC is looking into both deals, along with Yahoo’s $680 million purchase of Right Media (though Yahoo hasn’t urged anybody to do anything, except stop complaining about CEO Terry Semel’s $71 million compensation package). [OOPS: Make that former CEO Terry Semel. He’s just been axed and replaced by Yahoo co-founder Jerry Yang.]MS says the investigation is “routine,” nothing to see here, please move along. One reason Redmond may be so sanguine about anti-trust these days is that it’s got a friend in the DOJ. According to the New York Times, Assistant Attorney General Thomas O. Barnett has sent letters to several state attorneys general, urging them to ignore Google’s complaint. Barnett is a former partner in Covington and Burling, which represented Microsoft during its anti-trust battles with the Clinton justice department. You think maybe this helps explain the DOJ’s sudden lack of interest in all things Microsoft over the last six years?I don’t see the feds blocking any of these deals or doing anything of substance in one direction or the other. I do foresee some state AGs taking action, but by the time they get around to doing something we’ll be dealing with the next Microsoft OS (God help us). As usual, we the people will have to fend for ourselves. And when the wheels of justice start rolling, the best advice is usually to get the heck out of the way.Would you rather have Google or Microsoft control the Net? Cast your vote below or email me here. Top tipsters may receive a trustworthy Cringe bag for their troubles. Software DevelopmentSmall and Medium Business