Google is not subsidizing Mozilla, they have a search contract that is as much in the interest of Google as Mozilla.

* Mozilla can switch to a different default search engine (like Bing) and still get as much revenue without depending on Google.

* Google can't act like it controls Mozilla, because they don't want to lose the partnership either

Is there any evidence that what Google pays is the market rate? I.e. if they cut ties, would Mozilla be able to get about the same amount for default search engine position from Microsoft?

Now that Yahoo is powered by Bing, there are only really two big multinational commercial search engines. Both of them are owned by companies that also offer browsers to compete with Firefox. If neither of them paid, Firefox would still have to include a default search engine. I hope Mozilla can keep going, but honestly it does seem rather dependent on Google's good will.

Well, I don't think it'll stay this way, though I'm grateful for it. If everyone who used Firefox donated a dollar...