This is the latest on the Apple-Microsoft slugfest. Jim Dalrymple at the The Loop has reported that Microsoft is resorting to the most underhanded method of them all… stealing employees and managers away from Apple.

Microsoft has apparently started contacting a large number of Apple retail store managers and employees, offering them to join Microsoft (with a significant pay raise, moving expenses… the works). In turn the, the ex-Apple employees would then be used to contact the top sales people in the Apple retail organization so Microsoft could woo them away too. All with the convincing argument of a steeper paycheck, of course… Talk about playing dirty. And that’s not all either.

Microsoft is really out to copy Apple in every way possible as it is preparing to enter the retail market. It has hired real estate George Blankenship- responsible for Apple’s early retail efforts- to help them on their first retail stores too. Microsoft is also introducing their “Guru Bar” in emulation of Apple’s Genius Bar, where customers can make appointments and raise questions.

Somebody once said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. But in the world of corporate rivalry, its proportions become too ridiculous to be true.