A legal battle is brewing between Microsoft and Google for control of Japan`s lucrative search market.

Microsoft will try to convince Japan`s Fair Trade Commission that a search advertising agreement struck earlier this week between Google and Yahoo Japan will be harmful to competition, Microsoft said on Friday.

It had voiced concerns about the deal almost as soon as it was announced Tuesday, saying it gives Google too much control over Japan`s search and search advertising markets. The deal means Google`s search engine will be used to provide results for more than 90 percent of searches conducted in Japan.

Google insists the deal in Japan is different. Although Yahoo Japan will use Google`s advertising platform, Google won`t be providing the advertisements, Google said. And Yahoo Japan will be able to customize Google`s search results and will continue to compete as an independent company, it said.

Yahoo Japan said it had considered various search engines and ad delivery systems, and determined Google`s was the best for the Japanese market.

BDST: 1555 HRS, 31 July 2010