Posted on 01/26/2005 6:02:08 AM PST by crushelits
Anti-piracy initiative to require Windows XP verification for upgrades, fixes.
SEATTLE (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. will combat piracy of its flagship operating system by requiring Windows users to verify that their copy of the software is genuine in order to receive timely updates and security fixes, the world's largest software maker said Wednesday.
Under a new verification program, users will have to prove their copy was obtained legitimately to receive "greater reliability, faster access to updates, and richer user experiences" from Windows XP, the latest version of the operating system running on over 90 percent of the world's personal computers.
Users of pirated copies of Windows will still be able get some updates, such as security patches, but will not be able to get other add-ons for Windows, the Redmond, Wash.-based company said in a statement.
The new initiative, called Windows Genuine Advantage, will start in mid-2005.
Microsoft (Research) said it will expand in February a trial authentication program it began last fall for English-language users to include 20 more languages. In order to attract more users to the trial, Microsoft is also offering downloads of add-on software and discounts on games and online services.
Authentication will become mandatory in mid-2005 for all users seeking to access software updates, downloads and security fixes for Windows, Microsoft said.
Microsoft is also targeting software piracy in China, Norway and the Czech Republic, where the use of pirated software is more widespread, by offering discounts to users of pirated copies of Windows.
(Excerpt) Read more at money.cnn.com ...
You can still use Automatic Updates to grab the various monthly patches, so it's not like pirates are going to particularly care. Way to go, MS.
Might be time to start learning to use a Mac...
So, if I steal a car off a dealer's lot, and then bring it back there for repair work, should I expect a discount?
I am suprised MS did not do this earlier, I think its a good move.
Some this so called "pirates", "crackers" reversed engineers are smarter than any MS engineers!
"if freedom is outlawed, only outlaws will have freedom"
Ole Bill G forgets how/where he got the idea for Windows, anyway----and it wasn't devine inspiration.
Bill G said as a software conference a few years ago, (paraphrased): Good ideas are meant to be borrowed; great ideas are meant to be stolen.
I am sure they will.
But I am no pirate and have no desire to become one. I simply want to be able to use and upgrade my computer without having to go through some sort of complicated background check to prove to Microsoft that I didn't steal the software.
When I take my car in for an oil change, the mechanic doesn't demand I bring my title papers with me.
Yet another aggravation to have to deal with. They didn't mention the mechanism they would use for authentication and whether you have to type in some 20 character serial code, give them your daughter's middle name or some dongle or what.
He stole code from Corel, Lotus, Netscape, etc... and used Windows to steal market share from their competitors with dubious business practices.
So, its has been payback time for Good ole Bill G.
I suppose that it's possible to get a current Microsoft operating system program to run beyond the drop dead time without "activating" it as MS would like. I see a lot of offers for XP, Office, etc. for fifty dollars. These certainly aren't sanctioned by MS. If you ever contact MS directly or indirectly they will know you are not legal as far as they are concerned. I wouldn't be surprised to find that MS will make some effort in the future to poison systems running without authorization.
Gates et al. have contributed to so many humanitarian
enterprises, I can forgive anything they do to try
to protect their own business. Linux was one of the
several companies suing MS for monopoloy moves; they
tried to get the courts to SHARE the MS base for all
their programs so the other companies could compete.
The courts fined MS heavily, but they were not forced to reveal their base setup.
As for "using taxpayer money"...I think you need to
clarify that. THey contributed to "saving the world"
with moneys that otherwise would have been paid to
the IRS where the politicians could get their hands on it.
I appreciate the Gates' lawyers' advice to MS.
Uh...I notice you were influenced in your decision by
a GERMAN newspaper? Interesting.
I never, ever even think of having a discussion with an adolescent who begins a response with the word, "So,..."
I recently downloaded MS's Anti-Spyware beta version. Had to supply the 20 character code, so I assume this will probably be one of the mechanisms of authentication.
Of course not, but then he's not giving you the oil change for free. This might be more comparable to a warranty repair. For the manufacturer to honor the warranty, the owner has to abide by the terms of the warranty. If not, then no free repair. For Microsoft to provide free service for their product, they have every right to require that the user paid for it. If you can't deal with that, go elsewhere. Microsoft doesn't need your business.
There is no such company as "linux."
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