There’s an intriguing idea floating around the media: Microsoft wants to undercut Google so badly in Internet search that it might pay newspapers to withhold their content from Google. Just don’t count on that turning into a lucrative plan for newspapers. The unorthodox strategy faces stumbling blocks, starting with this one: Microsoft is unlikely to fund a Google boycott, according to three people familiar with Microsoft’s discussions with a variety of publishers. These people spoke on condition of anonymity because the talks are still in early stages.

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