Not only is Microsoft copying, although copying is such a harsh term, you should read "inspiring" instead, features from Apple's operating system and introducing them into Windows Vista, but it seems that there is a certain level of reciprocity to this.

Although Apple has accused Microsoft of being nothing more than a copying machine of the Mac operating system, Apple's own hands are not as immaculate as they claim.

Microsoft has seen a consistent amount of criticism over an array of Windows Vista features that share similarities with aspects of the Mac OS X. The Windows Vista Calendar program, the design associated with the collapse folder lists in Vista, the Vista Photo organizer (iPhoto in Mac OS X), Vista Sidebar vs. Apple's Desktop Widgets, the Vista three dimensional chess game and the Instant Search of Vista (Spotlight in Mac OS X) are the parts of the Microsoft operating system that share a healthy resemblance with their counterparts in Mac OS X.

Microsoft has been accused of steeling ideas from Apple, and while giving the Redmond Company the benefit of the doubt, it must be said that, in more than one case, the accusations were based on evident facts.

But I mentioned that there is reciprocity to this. Let me explain what I meant by that. In Mac OS X Leopard Edition - Build 9A321, as you can see by the screenshots included herein, the Mac graphical user interface bears resemblance to the Vista GUI. I am referring to the Windows Vista Aero interface. From the adjacent images you are able to see that Apple has integrated Glass, translucent effects into the Leopard interface.

I am not accusing Apple of ripping off Windows Vista Aero, as Microsoft is not the initiator of the GUI transparency effects. All I am saying is that there is a resemblance and nothing more.