As usual, Microsoft's legal department is working overtime at the end of the year in an attempt to tie up some loose ends. On Thursday, Microsoft and Google announced they had come to a private, mutually satisfying settlement over Google's hiring of former Microsoft research vice present Kai-Fu Lee. Meanwhile, Microsoft execs on Thursday also lashed out at the European Commission's threat of a $2.37 million a day fine on Microsoft for allegedly dragging its feet in complying with licensing terms required as part of the EU antitrust case against the Redmond software maker.