The alternative is doing a rev share with another search provider who will not be able to pay as much per user as Google. Or for Mozilla to buy or make their own search egnine which is a lot of work and risk.
Mozilla is trying to compete against Google's browser and not their search engine. I don't see why Google wouldn't be paying for their search traffic as opposed to just letting Microsoft buy it.
This point, that Google is able to pay the most per user because it has the most economically productive search, is why I think their behavior is not anti competitive. Search is not a loss leader by any means.
Mozilla is trying to compete against Google's browser and not their search engine. I don't see why Google wouldn't be paying for their search traffic as opposed to just letting Microsoft buy it.