Microsoft expands Windows anti-piracy program

Iria · Jul 26, 2005, 07:32 AM

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. is adopting more stringent controls for registering legitimate copies of its flagship Windows operating system in an effort to curtail piracy of its products worldwide, the world's largest software maker said on Tuesday.

Microsoft expanded its "Windows Genuine Advantage" program, requiring users of its software to verify their copies of software in order to receive add-ons to Windows XP.

Security-related updates to its software, which are used to plug software flaws exploited by viruses and hackers, will be exempt so that all users can avoid infection and, in turn, spreading viruses across the Internet, said David Lazar, director of Microsoft's Windows Genuine program.

"This is another tool in our arsenal," said Lazar, adding that a third of installed Windows programs worldwide are pirated copies.

Microsoft initially began the program on a trial basis last fall, and expanded it to more than 20 countries in February. Microsoft is targeting software piracy in places such as China, Norway and the Czech Republic, where the use of pirated software is more widespread.

Microsoft said it was trying to reclaim revenue that the company and its reseller lose due to piracy, which it said resulted in billions of dollars in lost income.

Microsoft said, however, that it would no longer require legitimate Windows users to enter a product code, a string of 25 numbers and letters, in order to verify that a copy of Windows is legitimate. Instead, Microsoft said it will check hardware data to verify that multiple copies of Windows aren't being installed on different personal computers.

Customers whose copies of Windows are found to be pirated have two options: send in a pirated CD and fill out a piracy form to receive a legitimate copy for no charge; or, in the case that there is no CD or proof of purchase, buy a new copy of Windows XP Home for $99 or Windows XP Professional for $149.
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Source: SBC Yahoo! News

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jul 26, 2005, 08:27 AM

They know were to shove it!

mike2h · Jul 26, 2005, 10:39 AM

not that i have a personal interest in this, but just on general principle, give em a bat to get the full effect

starboy · Jul 26, 2005, 10:42 AM

if they going to send the CD to asia.

YAYitsAndrew · Jul 26, 2005, 02:14 PM

At least they're being nice to the people who bought their copy of windows xp on a street corner in china town. You only have to pay money if you're an illegal file sharer.

mike2h · Jul 26, 2005, 05:11 PM

that is kinda cool of them.

Jul 26, 2005, 07:32 AM	#1
Iria DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7,275 Rep Power: 89	Microsoft expands Windows anti-piracy program SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. is adopting more stringent controls for registering legitimate copies of its flagship Windows operating system in an effort to curtail piracy of its products worldwide, the world's largest software maker said on Tuesday. Microsoft expanded its "Windows Genuine Advantage" program, requiring users of its software to verify their copies of software in order to receive add-ons to Windows XP. Security-related updates to its software, which are used to plug software flaws exploited by viruses and hackers, will be exempt so that all users can avoid infection and, in turn, spreading viruses across the Internet, said David Lazar, director of Microsoft's Windows Genuine program. "This is another tool in our arsenal," said Lazar, adding that a third of installed Windows programs worldwide are pirated copies. Microsoft initially began the program on a trial basis last fall, and expanded it to more than 20 countries in February. Microsoft is targeting software piracy in places such as China, Norway and the Czech Republic, where the use of pirated software is more widespread. Microsoft said it was trying to reclaim revenue that the company and its reseller lose due to piracy, which it said resulted in billions of dollars in lost income. Microsoft said, however, that it would no longer require legitimate Windows users to enter a product code, a string of 25 numbers and letters, in order to verify that a copy of Windows is legitimate. Instead, Microsoft said it will check hardware data to verify that multiple copies of Windows aren't being installed on different personal computers. Customers whose copies of Windows are found to be pirated have two options: send in a pirated CD and fill out a piracy form to receive a legitimate copy for no charge; or, in the case that there is no CD or proof of purchase, buy a new copy of Windows XP Home for $99 or Windows XP Professional for $149. __________ Source: SBC Yahoo! News

Jul 26, 2005, 08:27 AM	#2
The_Neon_Cowboy HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: U.S.A. Posts: 16,009 Rep Power: 92 System Specs	They know were to shove it! __________________

Jul 26, 2005, 10:39 AM	#3
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	not that i have a personal interest in this, but just on general principle, give em a bat to get the full effect __________________

Jul 26, 2005, 10:42 AM	#4
starboy HardwareHeaven Lover Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Brunei Posts: 127 Rep Power: 0	if they going to send the CD to asia. __________________ One Shall Stand! One Shall Fall!

Jul 26, 2005, 02:14 PM	#5
YAYitsAndrew Anti-Piracy Poster Boy Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 2,605 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	At least they're being nice to the people who bought their copy of windows xp on a street corner in china town. You only have to pay money if you're an illegal file sharer. __________________ "It is because the resistance to paying for copyrighted material, although often characterized as arising from a supposed technical burden or principled concern for the public interest, arises rather from exactly the same segment of the brain that is dominant in shoplifters." - Mark Helprin, Digital Barbarism In other words, it's never okay to steal even if you think you have a good reason! www.yayitsandrew.com

Jul 26, 2005, 05:11 PM	#6
mike2h DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: norcal Posts: 6,483 Rep Power: 91 System Specs	that is kinda cool of them. __________________