The Register: Microsoft prepares Mike Rowe legal exit – interesting dissection of Microsoft’s legal and press tactics.

Three noteworthy points:

• Using a low-ball bid to trick the opponent into asking for money, thus proving bad faith.
• The clear misrepresentation this as an “obligation” under trademark law – making it seems like they’re just honestly and faithfully enforcing the law, however much they don’t want to.
• Backing off without apologizing or making any promises until the media storm is over, then relaunching the efforts, when the story won’t run, because it’ll be old news.