Microsoft has released a slightly redacted version of various documents it has submitted in connection with the ongoing dispute over the company's compliance with the EU's antitrust requirements.

A couple of aspects of this action are unusual. First, that it was done. EU proceedings are usually kept quiet, lest the hoi polloi find out what is going on. Second, Microsoft's comments have a blunt tone that contrasts with the usual practice in which everyone pretends that the EU people are acting in good faith. As described in the Channel Register:

Microsoft is accusing the European Commission (EC) of denying it a fair defense in its long-running anti-trust case, so officials could nip off early for their Christmas hols.

That's just one of the claims Microsoft is laying at the door of the EC - a fact learned today after Redmond took the unprecedented step of publishing confidential documents and correspondence used in the case. Microsoft has also accused EC regulators and prosecutors of tardiness, laziness, acting illegally, and of a brazen desire to encourage cheaper knock-offs of Microsoft products.

Usually, such tactics mean that a defendant has given up on getting a fair shake from the immediate decision maker, and is positioning itself for appeals and PR wars.