Microsoft has bought Powerset for 100 million dollars.
The purchase might have more to do with advertising than search. Powerset's search technology hasn't been very impressive so far, but Powerset's technology could be helpful with contextual advertising.
Microsoft is hoping the Powerset semantic technology will help it improve contextual so that Microsoft can do better in attracting advertisers away from Google.
Microsoft Searches For Meaning In Powerset - Forbes.com
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_9762214
heise online - Microsoft takes over search specialist Powerset