When you come up with a good idea that makes you money, you can expect your direct competitor to copy it and use it for his own benefit. Apple for example sells hardware and software in various Apple Stores all over the world; Microsoft on the other had does not because there are no such thing as Microsoft retails stores. At least there are none just yet, because this autumn is when the first Microsoft retail stores will be opened – and they'll be (almost) next door to the Apple stores.

As if that isn’t enough to annoy Apple, it seems that Microsoft is dipping into Apple’s company pool. Yes, the Redmond-based software developer wants Apple’s retail store managers to defect and come join the Microsoft camp. For this they will get a bigger paycheck and will be paid moving expenses (just in some cases).

This is an ongoing story that started earlier this year when Microsoft announced that it plans to launch its own chain of retails stores. At the time no specific details were provided. At the Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC) in Orleans this July, Microsoft Chief Operating Officer Kevin Turner said that Microsoft is “going to have some retail stores opened up that are opened up right next door to Apple stores this fall.”

News then broke out that Microsoft had employed a former Apple real estate chief in an effort to secure prime locations for its retails stores. George Blankenship joined the Microsoft team not as a full time employee because that would breach the NCA (non-competitive agreement) he signed with Apple, but as a consultant. So Microosft is not exactly a stranger when it comes to taking things away from Apple.

The story moved forward when a prototype layout of the Microsoft retail store leaked to the public and then when the logo Microsoft will use for the retail stores became public.