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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Justice Widens Microsoft Probe

Compiled From Wire Services

Widening its antitrust investigation into Microsoft Corp.’s Internet software practices, the Justice Department has sent civil subpoenas to MCI Communications Corp., America Online Inc. and other Internet service providers.

The subpoenas are part of the government’s probe into how the software giant distributes its Internet browser software, a Justice Department official said Friday. He spoke on condition of anonymity.

The government is trying to determine whether the companies agreed to make it easier for customers to use Microsoft’s Internet Explorer - an Internet browser - over Netscape Communications Corp.’s Navigator, the Justice Department official said.

In a major antitrust lawsuit filed in October, the Justice Department alleged that Microsoft was using its dominance in the Windows 95 operating system software to unfairly gain market share for its Internet Explorer program. Microsoft disagrees, saying that more and more people use its browser because it works better than Netscape’s.