Remember that leaked Halo 3 manual we posted about late last month? The one we weren't sure was real or not? Turns out it is real after all. Well according to Microsoft's freelance attorneys it is.

We recently received an email from an "Internet Investigator" on behalf of Microsoft asking us to take down the images from the manual because they were, he claimed, an infringement on the trademark rights of Microsoft Corporation. Of course that's not even close to true, since they are, in fact, part of a legitimate newsworthy story... one we can now confirm is legit. Too legit, in fact, to quit. Hit the jump for the scary letter from Microsoft's Internet Investigator.

Leaked Halo 3 Manual?

04 September 2007

Dear Sir or Madam,

It has come to Microsoft's attention that your website includes material which is in violation of Microsoft's intellectual property rights. Content currently residing within your computer system infringes on the trademark rights of Microsoft Corporation and constitutes an unauthorized activity relating to Microsoft computer programs. Moreover, the material contains proprietary trade secret information belonging to Microsoft. I am authorized to act on behalf of Microsoft in this matter.

The infringing materials residing on your system are the screen shots of Microsoft software programs available at the following location:
http://kotaku.com/assets/images/gallery/9/2007/08/
medium_1178846754_90da0e9714_o.png, http://kotaku.com/assets/images/ gallery/9/2007/08/medium_1178844716_c3f4da83b9_o.png,

Posting of Microsoft's proprietary trade secret information as described above is not authorized by Microsoft, any of its agents, or by law. We request that you immediately take steps to remove this material from your website. If you do not act expeditiously to remove access to the infringing material, you may otherwise be liable for trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, and/or other remedies at law, including civil and criminal penalties.

We appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Please advise us regarding what actions you take.

Yours sincerely,

James Young
Internet Investigator

on behalf of Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
United States of America

Contact information for this author is not available.