Techrights [techrights.org] has published a copy of an e-mail regarding apparent collusion between M$ and the European Patent Office (EPO) [techrights.org]. The e-mail is from Grant Philpott, the principal director for information and communications technology at the EPO, and states that late Microsoft files should be treated with the highest priority. It means specifically that they shall be treated before any other late file, even from European applicants or any small applicants.