digitalv - 2:30 am on Jul 24, 2004 (gmt 0)

In Google's defense though I have to say that this probably wasn't their idea. I'm sure a lot of their recent activity has been the decision of lawyers in preparation for their IPO. It's much better from a financial standpoint to get all matters like this out of the way before going public so they don't affect the stock price if they surface later.

My guess is that the founders of Google absolutely hate it, as it goes against the principles they've built the company on. But maybe I'm wrong and they've sold out like everyone else, who knows.