マイクロソフトとヤフーの間では様相の異なる2つの戦いが展開中だ。報道陣と有力株主の影響力を味方に引き入れようとする裏駆け引きの方が面白いが、バトルは表舞台でもいかんなく繰り広げられている。
ヤフーは週末の間に「マイクロソフトのオファーを蹴る構え」という情報をリークし、本日（米国時間2/11）正式に提案拒否に踏み切った。
するとマイクロソフトもすかさず以下のプレスリリースを出した。:
YAHOO!公式発表に対するマイクロソフトからの返答
マイクロソフト-ヤフー両社の合併に向け、マイクロソフトは最大限かつ公正な提示額を繰り返す
REDMOND, Wash. — Feb. 11, 2008 — Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) today issued the following statement in response to the announcement by Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) that its Board of Directors has rejected Microsoft’s previously announced proposal to acquire Yahoo!:
It is unfortunate that Yahoo! has not embraced our full and fair proposal to combine our companies. Based on conversations with stakeholders of both companies, we are confident that moving forward promptly to consummate a transaction is in the best interests of all parties.
We are offering shareholders superior value and the opportunity to participate in the upside of the combined company. The combination also offers an increasingly exciting set of solutions for consumers, publishers and advertisers while becoming better positioned to compete in the online services market.
A Microsoft-Yahoo! combination will create a more effective company that would provide greater value and service to our customers. Furthermore, the combination will create a more competitive marketplace by establishing a compelling number two competitor for Internet search and online advertising.
The Yahoo! response does not change our belief in the strategic and financial merits of our proposal. As we have said previously, Microsoft reserves the right to pursue all necessary steps to ensure that Yahoo!’s shareholders are provided with the opportunity to realize the value inherent in our proposal.
On February 1, 2008, Microsoft announced a proposal to acquire all the outstanding shares of Yahoo! common stock for per share consideration of $31 representing a total equity value of approximately $44.6 billion and a 62 percent premium above the closing price of Yahoo! common stock based on the closing prices of the stocks of both companies on Jan. 31, 2008, the last day of trading prior to Microsoft’s announcement. Microsoft’s proposal would allow the Yahoo! shareholders to elect to receive cash or a fixed number of shares of Microsoft common stock, with the total consideration payable to Yahoo! shareholders consisting of one-half cash and one-half Microsoft common stock.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
ヤフーが「当社の価値を著しく低く評価するものだ」と言ったのに対し、マイクロソフトは「提案は最大限かつ公正なものだ」と応酬、合併交渉から身を引く構えはないことを明確にした。誰が勝つのか？ 私はまだマイクロソフトだと思ってるがヤフーもよく持ち堪えており、その善戦ぶりは傍目にも痛快だ。公式見解があたかもピンポン球のように行ったり来たりするのも、これまた痛快。
[原文へ]
（翻訳：satomi）
