Has ex-Windows chief Sinofsky signed a $14m Microsoft silencer?

Following a surprise departure from Microsoft last November, former Windows chief Steven Sinofsky has signed off on a US$14m mega Microsoft retirement package.

The former Windows and Windows live president shocked the industry by leaving the software giant, with many suspecting whether everything was in order over in Redmond.

But with no word since from either party, it has been left to the media to speculate - and how they have.

A good eight months on, details of Sinofsky's departure package have been finalised and revealed, through a Securities and Exchange Commission filing released this week.

The former Windows chief is walking away with a cool 400,000 shares in unvested stock awards - worth a whopping US$14 million at the current offering.

Yet media interest heightened when terms of the agreement involved Sinofsky's being banned from making any derogatory remarks about Microsoft in the future - nor poach or encourage any current staff to leave.

"Steven Sinofsky and Microsoft Corporation have entered into an agreement (the “Retirement Agreement”) relating to Mr. Sinofsky’s resignation as President of the Windows Division on November 12, 2012," the filing states.

"The Retirement Agreement includes covenants by Mr. Sinofsky to:

(i) not compete with Microsoft by accepting employment at certain competitors or encouraging certain customers of Microsoft to choose a competing offering to Microsoft products;

(ii) not solicit Microsoft employees to terminate their employment or work for other entities;

(iii) cooperate in litigation brought by or against Microsoft;

(iv) not disparage Microsoft; and

(v) continue complying with certain provisions of the Microsoft Corporation Employee Non-Disclosure Agreement between Microsoft and him related to intellectual property rights and confidentiality of Microsoft and third-party information.

"Mr. Sinofsky also agreed to a release of claims against Microsoft and its related parties.

"In return for the performance of his obligations under the Retirement Agreement, Microsoft will pay the value of his outstanding unvested stock awards granted prior to fiscal year 2013 and 50% of the shares of stock awarded for his performance during fiscal year 2013.

"All based on the vesting schedule that would have applied in connection with a qualifying “retirement” on his separation date under his stock award agreements, (a total of 418,361 shares)."

The payments will be made over time through August 2016 according to the vesting schedules for the stock awards, with the value of the shares will be determined by market price as of each vesting date.

Has Sinofsky walked away with a great deal? Is Microsoft trying to keep him quiet? Tell us your thoughts below