As the never-ending antitrust cases around the globe against Microsoft prove, bundling is still a bad word for the Redmond software giant.

Microsoft is in hot water for bundling Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, Windows Messenger and more into Windows on the desktop. And its inclusion of these elements, plus even more – a calendaring application, a photo gallery, various games – in Windows Vista could spell bigger legal troubles for the company in the not-too-distant future.

But going forward, Microsoft isn't looking to bundle all of its Windows features right into the operating system. It also is turning some add-ons into services. That's really what Windows Live is all about.

While few outside the software development community realize it yet, Microsoft is building a variety of hooks into Windows Vista and its successors to support these and future Windows Live services.

"Increasingly, you'll see packaged software that's 'Live-Ready,'" says Blake Irving, a corporate vice president with Microsoft's MSN unit. "This means software that is designed to work in concert with an Internet service. To deliver these experiences, Live-Ready client-side software must be capable of connecting to the Windows Live 'cloud' and must have the necessary plumbing and infrastructure."

Windows Live Mail, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Expo classifieds, Windows Live Search, Windows Live Family Safety Settings and Live services will be outside Windows periphery. And third-party companies will be encouraged to develop additional add-on services to Windows, too.

The result? Look, mom: No bundling! And no bundling means one less antitrust attack surface for Microsoft's competitors.

At least that's what we're betting the Softies are thinking. No one from Microsoft will publicly proclaim that Windows Live could evolve into Microsoft's antitrust cure-all.

But think this through: If government officials rule that Microsoft must un-bundle Windows Messenger from Windows, Microsoft would be less reticent to do so if it could simply deliver the same capability via a tightly integrated Windows Live Messenger service. Ditto with Windows Media Player and a streaming Windows Live audio or streaming video service. Or Vista's soon-to-be-unveiled Photo Gallery and a Windows Live photo-sharing service.

While bundling is the best way to maintain a monopoly, tight integration isn't too far behind. And with the European Commission, South Korean Fair Trade Commission and U.S. government all breathing down the Redmondians' collective necks, Microsoft needs a backup plan. And, with punishments like a $2.4 million a day fine hanging overhead, Microsoft needs it pronto.

What's your take? Could Microsoft's "innovated innovation" strategy be taking a new twist with Windows Live? Will Microsoft's foes push for new suits that take aim at Windows Live? Or will Windows Live give Microsoft a way to fend off the antitrust police?

Talk back below or write me at mswatch@ziffdavis.com and
let me know what you think.