Perhaps it isn’t deja vu all over again (as the saying goes) regarding the FTC’s (Anti-Trust) investigation of Google… Unlike, Redmond’s experience times have obviously changed…
So what gives?; the Internet Boom has long since gone bust; decentralization; a continued sluggish economy; the Smartphone Revolution; friends in high-places, etc., etc.? Long story short: the firm is / was in all probability fortunate that a completely different set of circumstances exist today than previously (otherwise, the company in all probability would’ve have gotten off so easily – relatively speaking).
(Source) NY Times: http://goo.gl/ezEPt