12-4-95. W$Jabber: "Microsoft Probe Spurs Subpoenas Tied to Internet. Antitrust Effort Appears Focused on Windows 95 Disabled Rival Software." The subpoenas indicate that Justice Department officials are focusing on whether Microsoft's Windows 95 and related Internet software improperly disable rival programs that let users access the Internet. Industry executives said the Justice Department has issued "civil investigative demands" to Netscape and CompuServe. The subpoena issued to Netscape may be of particular significance. In the estimate of Netscape and industry observers, roughly 80% of World Wide Web users, a population pegged at more than 17 million, use Netscape's software. Because of that presence, even if Netscape were alone in having its software disabled by Microsoft's new products, "I would say Netscape would have a cause of action and that the Justice Department would have a basis to investigate or bring an action," said Garret Rasmussen, an antitrust lawyer. GAK_hit (5 kb)