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Justice Department Approves Google’s ITA Software Purchase

Justice Department Approves Google’s ITA Software Purchase
ITA Software Logo – Justice Department Approves Google Purchase of ITA SoftwareGoogle’s $700 million bid to purchase flight information software company ITA was approved by the U.S. Justice Department today, despite months of fierce opposition from online rivals.

The approval comes with conditions: The online giant must make travel data available to its search engine rivals, ensure the protection of client data, and allow the government control the arbitration process for disputes over fees.

The decision comes after an eight-month review of the purchase by the Justice Department. The deal still needs to be approved by a federal court judge.

In an online posting, Google said it is moving forward to complete the acquisition of ITA as quickly as possible.

The search engine giant has committed to let current ITA customers extend their contracts into 2016.

Google Acquires ITA Software: What Next For The Travel Industry?Any complaints levied at the company because of the settlement the will have to pass through the Justice Department for the next two years, a victory for travel industry opponents.

In October, a coalition of major online travel firms mobilized against Google’s plan, forming the group FairSearch.org.

The coalition, which included Expedia, Kayak, Farelogix and Sabre Holdings, the parent company of Travelocity, lobbied hard to block the purchase.

They claimed the buy would give the Internet giant too much power over the $80 billion online travel sector and reduce competition.

FairSearch members applauded the concessions as a signal that department remains concerned about allowing Google to expand its reach over the Internet, but encouraged anti-trust enforcers and lawmakers to remain vigilant in its oversight.