A possible Microsoft acquisition of Adobe Systems was among ideas for closer co-operation raised informally at a recent meeting between the chief executives of the two companies, a person familiar with the talks told the Financial Times. The suggestion arose from a broader discussion about whether the two companies should ally against Apple. Two people familiar with the meeting between Steve Ballmer of Microsoft and Shantanu Narayen of Adobe played down the prospect that the informal takeover suggestion would lead to a deal between the two companies. One said that it had not led to any active takeover discussions, while the other added that no deal was "imminent". Both characterised the discussion as part of a regular series of meetings to consider a range of possible areas of co-operation.
