Did Microsoft copy Mac OS for Windows 7? Yes ... uh, wait ... no ...

Yesterday there appeared an interview with a Microsoft group manager who claimed that Microsoft copied the "Mac look and feel in terms of graphics" in Windows 7. This was later denied by Microsoft's communications manager. So, which is it?

The row erupted over comments made by Microsoft's partner group manager, Simon Aldous to PCR. In response to the question "Is Windows 7 really a much more agile operating system, in terms of the specific uses it can be moulded to?" Aldous said:

"One of the things that people say an awful lot about the Apple Mac is that the OS is fantastic, that it’s very graphical and easy to use. What we’ve tried to do with Windows 7 – whether it’s traditional format or in a touch format – is create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics. We’ve significantly improved the graphical user interface, but it’s built on that very stable core Vista technology, which is far more stable than the current Mac platform, for instance." [emphasis added]

Later that day Microsoft's communication manager Brandon LeBlanc issued a statement which simultaneously dismisses the comments and blasts Aldous for his indiscretion:

An inaccurate quote has been floating around the Internet today about the design origins of Windows 7 and whether its look and feel was “borrowed” from Mac OS X.  Unfortunately this came from a Microsoft employee who was not involved in any aspect of designing Windows 7. I hate to say this about one of our own, but his comments were inaccurate and uninformed. If you’re interested in learning more about the design of Windows 7, I suggest reading this AP story with Julie Larson-Green as well as these WSJ (membership required) and Fast Company articles. And here is one of many blog posts on the E7 blog discussing the design process of Windows 7. [emphasis added]

Now, I'm sure Microsoft would have had no problem at all with Aldous' comment about Windows 7 being far more stabler that the current Mac platform, but to even hint that Windows 7 is in any way a clone of the Mac OS touches on an area where Microsoft is sensitive. After all, back when Apple introduced Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" at WWDC 2004 there were banners hung from the ceiling with the following poke at Microsoft printed on them:

"Redmond, start your photocopiers.”

Personally, unless someone wants to go to court over patent infringement, this whole "who copied who" debate is little more than fanboys howling at the moon. Does it really matter? I don't think so.