Technology | Google China Clears Google's Motorola Takeover China was last regulatory hurdle to $12.5B buyout By Mark Russell Posted May 20, 2012 6:44 AM CDT Copied FILE -- In a Monday March 22, 2010, file photo men walk past the Google China headquarters in Beijing, China. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan/file) Google's $12.5 billion bid for Motorola got the OK from Chinese authorities yesterday, the last regulatory obstacle in the online giant's quest to move into mobile phone production, reports Reuters. A condition for China's approval requires Google to keep its Android software free and open for at least five years. Google announced the move to acquire the mobile manufacturer and its 17,000 patents and 7,500 patent applications last August, and won European and US regulatory approval in February. "Our stance since we agreed to acquire Motorola has not changed, and we look forward to closing the deal," said Google's spokeswoman; Motorola separately predicted the deal would close early next week. Read These Next Hall of Famer Dave Parker dies That 'buy now, pay later' loan may soon hit your credit score. Cops: Arizona 5th graders drew up plot to 'end' a classmate. IAEA chief downplays damage to Iran nuclear sites. Report an error