AppleInsider.com: Microsoft official admits Windows 7 design inspired by Mac OS X

From AppleInsider.com: Microsoft official admits Windows 7 design inspired by Mac OS X

One of the things that people say an awful lot about the Apple Mac is that the OS is fantastic, that it's very graphical and easy to use," Aldous said. "What we've tried to do with Windows 7 -- whether it's traditional format or in a touch format -- is create a Mac look and feel in terms of graphics.

Microsoft is just pitiful.  A company with the resources that Microsoft has should be pushing the envelope of computer design.  Instead, compared to Apple and Google, Microsoft is like the old GM, old and slow and unable to innovate.  GM's profits and market share masked the problems the company was having, but the lack of innovative design caught up.

UPDATE:
From AppleInsider.com: Microsoft denies Apple had influence on Windows 7 design

On the official Windows Blog, Brandon LeBlanc said that the widely circulated quote was "inaccurate." He flatly stated that the style of Windows 7 was not inspired by Mac OS X.

"Unfortunately this came from a Microsoft employee who was not involved in any aspect of designing Windows 7," LeBlanc said. "I hate to say this about one of our own, but his comments were inaccurate and uninformed."

Anyone can see Microsoft copies from Apple, from retail stores to Windows 7.  It's a surprise that they even have an R&D department.