Google Sues the Government

Google is suing the Department of the Interior, accusing it of unfairly favoring Microsoft's products in consideration for a government contract, Mashable reports. The DOI is looking for a client to supply an email and collaboration service for its 88,000 employees and contractors, but it has a clause that states the system must be compatible with Microsoft's Business Productivity Online Suite.

Google's suit claims that the Microsoft requirement constitutes anti-competitive behavior and seeks an injunction to halt the process. Google has much at stake in the suit, beyond the DOI contract: It hopes to set a precedent to prevent the government from issuing such Microsoft-compatible clauses in the future—and opening the door to Google Apps.

(More Microsoft stories.)