Internet giant Google has set aside $500 million in anticipation of the results of a US government investigation into the practices of some of its advertisers.

"In May 2011, in connection with a potential resolution of an investigation by the United States Department of Justice into the use of Google advertising by certain advertisers, we accrued $500 million for the three month period ended March 31, 2011," the company said in a statement Tuesday.

"Although we cannot predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, we believe it will not have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows."

The statement, which was filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), did not provide further details on the practices in question or what legal consequences the company might face.

The provision reduced Google's net income for the first quarter to $1.798 billion from $2.298 billion announced on April 14. Advertising accounted for 97 percent of the company's $8.575 billion revenue during the same period.

earlier related report
US anti-trust oversight of Microsoft ends Thursday
Washington (AFP) May 11, 2011 - Justice Department oversight of Microsoft is ending on Thursday, more than a decade after the US authorities filed an historic anti-trust lawsuit against the US software giant.

"Microsoft no longer dominates the computer industry as it did when the complaint was filed in 1998," the Justice Department said in a statement on Wednesday.

As a result, the settlement with the Redmond, Washington-based Microsoft known as the "final judgment," which has been in place since 2002, would expire on Thursday, it said.

The settlement stemmed from a 1998 anti-trust suit which alleged the maker of Windows was unlawfully maintaining its monopoly over the market for personal computer operating systems.

The department said the settlement had "prevented Microsoft from continuing to engage in exclusionary behavior that was harmful to American businesses and consumers."

"Nearly every desktop middleware market, from Web browsers to media players to instant messaging software, is more competitive today than it was when the final judgment was entered," it said.

Some provisions in the settlement expired in November 2007 while others had been extended with Microsoft's agreement.

"As these issues have now been resolved, it is appropriate for the final judgment to expire," the Justice Department said.

Microsoft, in a statement, said "our experience has changed us and shaped how we view our responsibility to the industry.

"We are pleased to bring this matter to successful resolution, and we are excited to keep delivering great products and services for our partners and customers," a Microsoft spokeswoman said.