Google’s proposed acquisition of Motorola Mobility is still awaiting clearance following the extension of the investigation into the deal by the relevant Chinese authorities. The Anti-Monopoly Bureau of the Chinese Ministry of Commerce is in the second stage of its review.
The investigation has noted that the two parties of the deal “continue to work closely with Mofcom to conclude its investigation and expect the transaction to close during the first half of 2012.”
The US$12.5 billion deal has received clearance without conditions in all other necessary markets, with the EU and the US Department of Justice granting clearance in February 2012 after assessing the potential of Motorola’s significant arsenal of patents. Receiving clearance from the Chinese authorities will give the green light to the deal.
