TECHNOLOGY - Feb. 7, 1996

U.S. Probes Microsoft Purchase of Vermeer: The Justice Department said it is examining the Redmond, Wash.-based giant’s purchase of an Internet software company, Vermeer Technologies Inc. Department spokeswoman Gina Talamona would not provide details about why the agency is examining Microsoft Corp.’s Jan. 16 deal with the privately owned Cambridge, Mass.-based company. Microsoft spokesman Greg Shaw noted that the department previously said it would continue to monitor Microsoft. Vermeer executives didn’t immediately return telephone calls seeking comment. A person familiar with the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the department’s civil subpoena of Vermeer was not as detailed as the government’s previous Microsoft inquiries.