Government Probing Microsoft Purchase

The Justice Department is looking into Microsoft Corp.’s purchase of an Internet software company.

“We’re looking at the proposed transaction,” said Gina Talamona, a department spokeswoman. She declined to elaborate.

On Jan. 16, Microsoft announced its purchase of Vermeer Technologies Inc. of Cambridge, Mass.

Microsoft spokesman Greg Shaw called the Justice Department action “not surprising.”

“We are confident that this transaction is entirely pro-competitive and pro-consumer,” he said.