Seattle: Microsoft on Thursday said reviewing the Hotmail account of a French blogger thought to be in possession of leaked Windows 8 documentation was legal and done to protect its valuable IP.

“As part of the investigation, we took the step of a limited review of this third party’s Microsoft operated accounts,” a Microsoft spokeswoman said today, adding, “While Microsoft's terms of service make clear our permission for this type of review, this happens only in the most exceptional circumstances.”