The New York Times is out with a report that Steve Ballmer from Microsoft and Adobe’s CEO Shantanu Narayen recently got together for a behind-closed-doors meeting. The two men; and their entourages of executives, apparently not only discussed working together to try and head off the incredible growth of Apple but the talk of Adobe being acquired by Microsoft.

This is actually nothing new as both companies have had these types of talks in the past, but they never went anywhere due to Microsoft’s fear of more anti-trust investigations by the Department of Justice. However,  the whole tech landscape has changed (as WinExtra writer Paul O’Flaherty pointed out when we talked about the news) which could drastically reduce the chances of any anti-trust allegations.

So once more it seems the talk of an acquisition of Adobe by Microsoft could be on the table.

The meeting, which lasted over an hour, covered a number of topics, but one of the main thrusts of the discussion was Apple and its control of the mobile phone market and how the two companies could partner in the battle against Apple. A possible acquisition of Adobe by Microsoft were among the options.

The New York Times learned about these meetings through employees and consultants to the companies who were involved in the discussions that took place or familiar with their organization, all of whom asked not to be identified as they are unauthorized to speak publicly by Microsoft or Adobe. Those involved in the meeting, from its logistical set up to the discussion that took place between the two companies, were instructed to stay very quiet about the two companies holding council.

As interesting as this idea may be, I think for the time being this reports belongs strictly in the rumor column.