Google seems cool over its three antitrust cases

Google is cool. And it's acting that way despite the fact that federal regulators are now investigating the company's business practices on three different fronts for possible antitrust violations. On Wednesday, lawyers engaged in a Google PR campaign, meeting with reporters in the Bay Area to acknowledge the growing number of investigations, and downplay them.

You've got your investigation into Google's attempt to index every published book in the world. Earlier this week, news came from the Justice Department that it is still investigating the antitrust implications of this one.

You've got your investigation into why Apple and Google share board members when they are competing in the smartphone business, a critical area for both companies.

You've got your investigation into Google, Yahoo, Apple and others in Silicon Valley over hiring practices and a so-called pact where each has agreed not to "hire away" the others' workers.

The Wall Street Journal says that Dana Wagner, a competition lawyer for Google, is talking up a storm in defense on Google's behalf.

"Along with a handful of other Google employees, Mr. Wagner delivered a presentation laying out the rationale for why their business actions aren't anticompetitive. Google has been on a roadshow with the presentation for months, giving it to about 50 groups in the U.S. and abroad. Many of the arguments hinge on the claim that despite the hype around it, Google is a relatively small player in the total advertising and consumer Internet market."

Do you think that Google, by virtue of owning a 70 percent stake in the Internet search and advertising market, has achieved monopoly status and should be watched like a hawk by the DOJ?

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