Last week Google complained (whined) to the US Justice Department about Internet Explorer 7 default settings for search services. Cnet reported The Justice Department said that it had reviewed the search box and concluded that Microsoft's implementation "respects users' and (computer makers') default choices and is easily changed."
It was pretty clear to most observers that Google's claims were baseless, and turned out to be a publicity stunt that backfired. In a post last week "Google supports choice...except of Firefox and Opera" it was pointed out that IE7 honors the users existing choices for search services, and makes it easy to change their choice if desired. The Justice Department agreed.
In a separate story Microsoft voluntarily agreed to a 2 year extension of certain parts of the consent decree. As part of the consent decree the Justice Department has a team of people that continuously review Microsoft's actions, and they issue a progress report on a regular basis. Given this constant review it is highly unlikely that any new products would be released with any potential legal issues outstanding.
Microsoft lives under a microscope. Bill Gates and other executives at Microsoft have had all of their email captured by legal teams for various law suits at one time or another. Bill Gates once said "We live the observed life". Translation...assume that everything you say, write, or do will be reviewed by a team of lawyers...with the worst of intentions.
Microsoft is a very different company than it was 10 years ago, mostly for the better. Microsoft tries to be very open and honest about where they are investing, where the product road-maps are going, and how they deal with customers, partners, and competitors. All of the Microsoft executives I have seen maintain the highest ethical standards while competing honestly and aggressively. That is the way it should be.
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