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Microsoft-Facebook alliance may be aimed at Google

By Nick Wingfield

 |  New York Times  

  April 24, 2012

A plan by Facebook to acquire a broad range of patents through a deal with Microsoft is on its surface yet another twist in the battles over intellectual property engulfing the tech business. But the subtext of the deal is a different story, showing how two of technology’s most powerful players are teaming to create a greater balance of power on the Internet - a market that has been tilted decisively in favor of one company, Google, for years.

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