Google and Yahoo may have to make changes to their controversial revenue-sharing ad deal if they hope to save it, according to a story in the Wall Street Journal Tuesday.

The companies delayed implementing the deal a couple of weekends ago until at least next Wednesday after it became increasingly clear that the Justice Department was building a lawsuit against it.

They are now in early-stage negotiations with the regulators, the paper said, hoping to sidestep litigation.

Google, in particular, has been publicly resistant to the idea of making any changes to the agreement, but concessions may be inevitable – unless of course Google decides to walk.

The Journal says the talks may not “resolve US objections or be acceptable to the two companies.”