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U.S. Interactive to Buy SoftPlus: U.S. Interactive Inc. agreed to buy closely held SoftPlus Inc. for about $359 million in stock, cash and debt. SoftPlus investors will receive 4.8 million U.S. Interactive shares, $20 million in cash, and a one-year, $80-million note. King of Prussia, Pa.-based U.S. Interactive, whose founder and chairman, Eric Pulier, is Vice President Al Gore’s technology advisor, advises clients on everything from e-commerce to digital marketing strategies to the installation and use of technology. SoftPlus, based in Cupertino, Calif., makes software that lets businesses use wireless telephones and other technologies for electronic commerce. The purchase will almost double U.S. Interactive’s employees, from 350 to 650 and increase its offices to 12. U.S. Interactive closed up $2.78 at $56.75 on Nasdaq.