Apropos that spoof video I mentioned a while back, it’s now emerged that it was actually made by Microsoft! “It was an internal-only video clip commissioned by our packaging [team] to humorously highlight the challenges we have faced RE: packaging and to educate marketers here about the pitfalls of packaging/branding,” Microsoft spokesman Tom Pilla told The iPod Observer by email.

[Pedantic note: we will overlook the split infinitive in that sentence.]

The video, which can now be found on Google Video, pokes fun at Microsoft’s tendency toward cluttered packaging by imagining how the company would have designed the box for the original iPod. Where Apple’s design is sparse, Microsoft’s final creation is full of so many stickers and other information that the photo of the MP3 player can be barely seen.

“While MS did not release the video”, said Mr Pilla, “it’s natural to share funny things with friends. So while we didn’t publicly share the video, it was shared with appropriate teams internally. We’re happy to see others enjoy the laugh as well.”

I think I shall have to go and lie down. In a darkened room.

Thanks nevertheless to Bill Thompson for shattering my illusions about the Evil Empire!