Corporate & legal

Google has pulled the plug on a search-ad partnership with Yahoo that would have given Yahoo major new revenue but that raised antitrust concerns.

"After four months of review, including discussions of various possible changes to the agreement, it's clear that government regulators and some advertisers continue to have concerns about the agreement," said David Drummond, Google's chief legal officer in a blog post Wednesday. "Pressing ahead risked not only a protracted legal battle but also damage to relationships with valued partners. That wouldn't have been in the long-term interests of Google or our … Read more

Google and other technology companies that wanted access to more free spectrum have gotten their wish.

On Tuesday, the Federal Communications Commission unanimously agreed to open up unused broadcast TV spectrum for unlicensed use.

Despite protests from TV broadcasters, entertainers, professional sports leagues, church pastors, and some congressional leaders, the FCC approved rules for devices using spectrum that sits between broadcast TV channels. This 300MHz to 400MHz of unused spectrum known as "white spaces" is considered prime spectrum for offering wireless broadband services because it can travel long distances and penetrate through walls.

"As an engineer, I … Read more

CNBC reported Tuesday that Google has an unofficial hiring freeze, but the search giant denies it.

"Several executives I have spoken with who have hiring responsibility said it was made clear to them one month ago they were to make no new hires, including at the secretarial level, and they were directed to fill all vacancies with internal candidates. In effect, they term it an unofficial hiring freeze," CNBC's David Faber reported.

Not so, countered Google: "We extended offers last week to 30 people," said spokeswoman Jane Penner. "We're hiring at a slower … Read more

The Federal Communications Commission approved the $28 billion acquisition between Verizon Wireless and Alltel on Tuesday after a four hour delay in which commissioners negotiated terms of the deal.

The meeting was supposed to start at 11 a.m. EST. But didn't actually get under way until nearly 4 p.m. EST.

The delay was attributed to discussions among commissioners and Verizon to hammer out a deal that satisfied concerns over roaming conditions put on the deal.

During the meeting, the two Democratic commissioners on the FCC, Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein, expressed concern that combining Verizon and Alltel … Read more

Dell employees received a memo from founder and CEO Michael Dell recently asking them to take some time off without pay.

It's not meant to be punitive, but rather a measure to help the Round Rock, Texas, company save some money as the economy continues on its uncertain path. The request made to employees is also an effort to avoid possible layoffs, according to a report in the Austin Business Journal.

A Dell spokesman confirmed the memo's existence and said that it was part of a wider program of cost saving that had been instituted. Besides offering one … Read more

Japanese electronics maker Pioneer is set to report wider financial losses, and has named Susumu Kotani as the company's new president.

Company board member Kotani will replace Tamihiko Sudo as president. On March 31, Pioneer will report a net loss of 78 billion yen, or $783 million, the company revealed. It will be the company's fifth straight quarter without a profit.

To cut costs, the company will lay off 2,000 workers, according to a Bloomberg report. Pioneer had already planned to stop making plasma panels for its flat-screen TVs by February 2009 (Panasonic will supply the panels instead). … Read more

Correction, 12:45 p.m. PST: This story initially misstated the time period during which Unisys had over $1.3 billion in revenue. It was last quarter. Story also has been updated to clarify that the federal government has a proposed IT budget of more than $70 billion for 2009.

Lots of people lose money during recessions, so most tech vendors hunker down. They cut staff, trim budgets, and hoard cash to weather the storm. Some vendors buck this trend and look for risky opportunities that could lead to rich rewards. For those companies that remain on the offensive, buying … Read more

The jobs of around 600 Nokia employees are at risk, as the Finnish phone manufacturer begins making changes to its workforce in the wake of disappointing profits.

In a statement Tuesday, the company said it is planning changes in its sales and marketing unit, affecting around 450 employees. In addition, the R&D division will "sharpen its focus on fewer, but stronger, research areas," Nokia said, with around 130 Nokia Research Center jobs affected. The company is also planning "workforce adjustments" in its global process operations, affecting around 35 employees.

Nokia will also close its … Read more

Most people on Tuesday will likely have their eyes glued to their favorite Internet site or TV station looking for information about the historic presidential race. But another very important vote will be taking place at the Federal Communications Commission--a vote that some say could set a course of massive innovation in wireless broadband services.

On Tuesday, the FCC is set to vote on a proposal that will open up between 300MHz and 400MHz of unused spectrum throughout the country for unlicensed use. This spectrum, known as "white spaces," sits between broadcast TV channels. Today, this spectrum, which … Read more