Back in 2004 Google submitted a single illustration of their Google.com homepage, of which the main component is a search box with two submit buttons below it, and a few text links.

On September 1, 2009 Google received their search page patent from the United States Patent Office. Technically Google has patented their homepage as a web "graphical user interface," for which they now have a patent to exclusively use that design. Google also submitted an application for the design of their search results in 2004, and that patent was issued in 2006. It would seem Google intended to license out the use of their patent to other search engines, namely Yahoo, but just ahead of the patent license approval some search engines have change their design to steer clear of the infringing on Google’s patent.

There is a long history behind the story of Google’s design patent filings. It all begins with Overture.

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Google has announced that they are going back on the advertising deal made earlier this year with Yahoo. The deal was Yahoo’s effort to resist the hostile takeover that Microsoft was attempting by creating revenue through the display of Google ads on Yahoo sites.

The proposed deal did bring up countless antitrust questions from those within the Department of Justice. It has since been recognized as a way for Yahoo and Google to wave off and weaken Microsoft’s buying position, but now that Yahoo and Google have split for obvious legal reasons, what remains of Microsoft? Will they make another stab at Yahoo or will Yahoo attempt the impossible and merge with AOL for salvation of both companies.

Either way, it should prove interesting and we will keep you updated.

Microsoft made an offer to buy Yahoo!, but over the weekend Yahoo! rejected the offer saying they believe their stock is worth another $12 billion. However, last week as news hit the stock market Microsoft’s share value declined about the same price as they bid for Yahoo! Microsoft offered half cash, and half stock in their bid. Yahoo! is worried about retaining control over the new company, and Microsoft has said the MSN brand would be replaced by the Yahoo! brand, but Yahoo! still believes Google would be the better partner.

What’s really at stake? Years ago Yahoo! purchased Overture, which was a paid bid search engine out of Pasadena, California. Overture secured a patent for paid bid search advertising, and Yahoo! now owns that patent. If Microsoft were to purchase Yahoo!, then Microsoft would own that patent. Microsoft would then be in a better position to compete directly with, and to challenge Google’s control over the Internet advertising market. If Google were to purchase Yahoo!, then Google would become a monopoly in the Internet advertising industry, and government regulators may at that point step in to analyze exactly how Google’s ownership of Yahoo! might effect competition going forward.

Yahoo has launched a “suggest search” feature that brings up a list with suggested search terms.It is not entirely new since it has been available on the Firefox Yahoo toolbar, but it will be new to Yahoo.com.

Google offers the same service with its Google Suggest.

Microsoft attempts to expand into the Internet to give a fully rounded system to its customers. The company will offer online services including e-mail and Web search under its Windows Live brand, as well test versions of two new free services: Windows Live Folders and Windows Live Photo Gallery.

Windows Live Photo Gallery is a new version of the photo application found on Microsoft’s two most recent operating systems, Windows XP and Windows Vista. It simplifies how people can share photos on their Windows Live Spaces site, Microsoft’s social networking platform.

The sharing feature of Microsoft’s new Photo Gallery is similar to how users can publish pictures from Apple Inc.’s iPhoto application to the company’s .Mac online service.

Microsoft’s effort might pay off in the next few months, but if it seriously expects to compete head-to-head with the likes of Google and Yahoo, then Microsoft might just find the whole experience a bit lacking.