• All Things D, Monday, May 3, 2010 2:06 PM

Multiple sources say that Google and mobile ad startup AdMob (the former recently agreed to buy the latter) fully expect the Federal Trade Commission to try to block the deal, Boomtown reports. Many speculated that Apple's entrance into the nascent mobile ad market would settle the FTC's nerves. On the contrary, "Sources said that the lack of any kind of indication of clear direction of the inquiry this late in the game by FTC staff -- which recommends action to its five commissioners -- is a bad sign," writes Boom Town.

Says one source: "The federal government is looking for a way to discipline Google in some way, because of larger concerns about its search power on the Web ... And this is where it looks like it will try to show that concern." Word is that action could come as early as this week, but is expected next week, likely in the form of a request for a preliminary injunction to stop the transaction due to antitrust concerns.

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