Even though the combined search market shares of Microsoft and Yahoo wont approach Googles stake in terms of size, the Justice Department isnt giving their proposed deal a free pass.

In fact, the government entitys decided to ask Microsoft and Yahoo for more information.On the surface, this development doesnt look great for the two companies. They probably volunteered what they felt what a reasonable amount of info, and hoped that the Justice Department would show them a quick thumbs up sign.The good news for the companies and their shareholders and fans is that this development wasnt entirely unexpected. Remember that the deadline Microsoft and Yahoo established is July 29th, 2010, after all.Adam Grossberg, a Yahoo spokesman, also told Dina Bass and Kelly Riddell in an email, Yahoo and Microsoft are cooperating fully with the Justice Department and firmly believe that the information they will be providing will confirm that this deal is not only good for both companies, but it is also good for advertisers, good for publishers and good for consumers.No details regarding what sort of details the Justice Department requested are available.