[link|http://today.reuters.com/business/newsArticle.aspx?type=ousiv&storyID=2006-03-28T175048Z_01_L28419380_RTRIDST_0_BUSINESSPRO-MICROSOFT-JUDGES-DC.XML|Microsoft hired ex-EU judges for mock trial]

In a sign of how meticulously Microsoft is planning its antitrust battle against the European Commission next month, it hired three former EU judges to stage a mock trial, a source close to the situation said.

Not illegal, of course, but I hope there is no feedback effect on current EU judges. Either any influence of ex-judges on current judges, or implicit potential future "work" for current judges if they rule favorably.

I don't care for the smell of this!