It is hard to believe, but Heise reports that Microsoft was threatening the Dutch government to sue it before the European Court of Juctice which would be a competition case.

The item is worth reading as a whole, especially for context. It truly takes some nerve. Remember the writings about Microsoft's perception that it's above the law. ⬆

More on the recent developments in Holland:

• Signs That Your 'Open Standard' is Actually Proprietary
• Microsoft's Assimilate-to-Destroy Tactic (Everything for OOXML)
• Microsoft Sends Paid Army to Fight OpenDocument Format in Europe

There is some good humour in the announcement too - from the Redmond based owner of much of the world’s Intellectual Monopoly:

… he said the company [Microsoft] was worried about and opposed other aspects of the Dutch policy, especially the provision that agencies should prefer open source.

“We think it’s not in the best interest of the wider software market to single out one model for endorsement like this,” he said.

HUH? What is the “wider software market” he is referring to? Oh, of course it’s theirs… What complete twaddle. Why can’t they just say ‘we don’t like it because we are going to lose business’. Or even better, make improved products that compete on a level playing field? Why spin their message with such meaningless drivel that it only exacerbates our bad opinion of them?