Microsoft piracy check comes calling

[Bio-Hazard]

If you're not running a legal copy of Windows, MS is going to let you know about it...........

"Microsoft is taking its fight against software piracy to the desktop. Starting Tuesday, the software maker will push out a test tool that checks whether the copy of Windows a PC is using is properly licensed. It will be sent to millions of people in the United States, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand, Microsoft said Monday.

Following download and installation of the "Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications (http://dw.com.com/redir?destUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fsupport.microsoft.com%2 Fkb%2F905474%2F&siteId=3&oId=2100-1016-6064555&ontId=1001&lop=nl.ex)" tool, users of a pirated copy will see alerts at startup, login and during their use of the operating system. The alerts read: "This copy of Windows is not genuine; you may be a victim of software counterfeiting." "

http://news.com.com/Microsoft+piracy+check+comes+calling/2100-1016_3-6064555.html?tag=nefd.top

[Bryan]

And they think people will rush out and buy a retail copy when Vista is imminent?

[Kougar]

But not China, the leading country in software and Windows OS piracy? Interesting...

[Bio-Hazard]

Just maybe make people think a little and also embarrass them a little. They know it won't bother any much who already knows they have pirated copy.

[liqnit]

any way people desktop at home is theirs to see and at work it is the workplace problem
so this tool if it is all that it is doing is not a big change

[Bio-Hazard]

Really none of their tools have proved to be of much use. It only takes a day or 2 after the release before someone finds a way around it.

[liqnit]

if their system was secure enogh then it would solve all their problems

[PUTALE]

I think MS is trying ot use the tactics that were used by the riaa, targeting the individual user and hope that it will deter the piracy.

[Bio-Hazard]

From reading the news lately, I think MS biggest problem is with system builders selling their computers with counterfeit software. I think the individual user is less of a problem than most let on.