Microsoft to Launch Anti-Piracy Initiative

[Tsiyu]

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 on 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 (news - web sites), 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, Washington-based company said in a statement.


The new initiative, called Windows Genuine Advantage, will start in mid- 2005.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=578&e=6&u=/nm/20050126/tc_nm/tech_microsoft_piracy_dc

[Jack_DeLeon]

1. ROFLMAO...

hardcore pirates will have no problems getting total functionality out of thier Juarez.

I bet this will screw over plenty of legitimate customers though.

[Occulus]

3. aside from that,

persons who use nonlegit copies of the OS will be locked out of any future updates. This is a bad thing, because regardless of the legitimacy of their copy of Windows, they still connect to other, potentially vulnerable computers.

As a national security issue, Microsoft should be required to distribute all of its security patches in an unlocked binary form, free of any form of 'legitimate user' verification.

Locking out some users from accessing updates makes some users vulnerable to exploitations those updates are supposed to correct. This pollutes the network and potentially endangers other systems outside the local network.

I'll repeat: The security of MIcrosoft Windows is a national security issue. Both we and Micro$oft should behave as such.

[ET Awful]

7. Actually, security updates WILL be available, as stated in the article

"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, Washington-based company said in a statement."

[charlie]

4. Yeah, no kidding

The non-activation corporate distributions of XP were being traded before XP was out of beta and on the shelves.

It's like we're going back in time with these PITA anti-piracy measures. What next, dongles?

[pinniped]

2. Thanks, you can keep your security updates and 1/2 ass patches.

I have a Dell XP Cd and it doesn't even ask for a serial number.

[ET Awful]

8. You still need security updates and patches.

Just because you have a Dell doesn't mean you don't need the patches and updates.

Also, the reason you don't have a serial number is because Dell, like other PC manufacturers, uses a customized version of XP that will only install on a machine with a Dell BIOS chip.

[pinniped]

16. It will install on other manufacturers, but it might start to give you...

30 days to register it. That's might be a funny or cruel joke to pull on someone. I did notice the Dell xp disc was larger in size than the regular xp.

If something goes whacky with my puter, though rare, I reload everything from scratch. My puter doesn't have much on it, so it only takes about an hour for a full reload. I usually reload every couple of months anyways.

I was running W2K on my old machine and I still never DLed any patches or updates.

I also don't use Internet Exploder so that cuts down on a lot of incoming junk.

Since I like to reload frequently, would the M$ system allow me to DL the same updates every couple months or would I get flagged?

[ET Awful]

17. By not installing patches, you are posing a potential risk to thousands of

other internet users. Whether you use IE or not is irrelevant, there are thousands of other sources for threats, and worms in particular will take advantage of holes in the security, that's why they release the patches.

You would be able to download the patches as frequently as you like. I re-install XP regularly and download patches and updates with no issues.

If you don't install the patches, you're begging for problems, you will also have issues with many programs that require particular service packs and such to run.

[purduejake]

5. I'm trying linux...

Although I have no idea what I am doing. I've heard it's great, though. I've already switched to an ibook laptop and LOVE it. Lots of security problems gone with other operating systems.

[Klapaucius]

10. Linux Newbie myself...

Using Mandrake Linux, which is pretty easy to work with if you've got fairly recent hardware. Nice thing is, you can take an older machine and get as much use out of it as you originally did, the hardware requirements are much lower. Runs screaming fast, and I never have problems with losing connections, or viruses.

I wish they'd put out Half-Life 2 for Linux, I'd buy it in a heartbeat. There are supposedly some apps that let you run Windows based games, but I've not played around with those at all.

With the Mac Mini coming out, I might start thinking about a switch over to that, just to get off the upgrade treadmill for a while.

K.

[Renew Deal]

24. Suse is also very nice.

There is always the Mac. It works and there's no bullshit to deal with from Apple.

[KingoftheJungle]

6. Nice to see Microsoft giving Linux distros the upper hand

Seriously, do they actually expect to INCREASE sales by doing this?

[ET Awful]

9. This isn't that much different from the activation procedures already

in use. As long as you have a legal copy of Windows, it's not a big deal. It doesn't collect any personal information, etc. All it does is verify that the activation of your product is valid and not the result of a stolen license number, etc.

Basically, even WITH a pirated copy, you still get security updates. You just won't get things like Direct X updates, Media Player updates, etc.

I don't see it as that big a deal.

[The Zanti Regent]

11. Buy a Mac or put Linux on your PC

Screw You Gates! Haven't you stolen enough money from the masses?

[ET Awful]

18. LOL . . . so asking people to prove they own a legitimate license

is wrong?

Please tell me why. I'm not a huge fan of MS, but they do have a right to require that people abide by the software license they agree too when they install the product.

Sorry, but I don't find preventing piracy objectionable.

Then again, I don't find people that find work arounds to it particularly objectionable earlier.

I do believe that MS has a right to enforce their copyrights, and those who have legitimate licenses have nothing to worry about. I've never had a problem with product activation via MS, it's always worked fine for me, and this is no different in the long run.

[egoprofit]

28. GET A MAC FOR $499 NOWADAYS... check out the "macmini"!!

http://www.apple.com/macmini/

$499 WOW cheap for a NEW MAC!!!

[GeorgeBushytail]

29. Amiga Rules!

Forget about boring Unix clones - buy an Amiga!

Best computer ever.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

12. But but but but SAINT BILL gave BIG MONEY to CHARITY!!!!!

Therefore, criticising Microsoft makes baby Jesus cry!!! </sarcasm>

[Zech Marquis]

13. is this different from the activation code?

so if yu buy one of those new Media Center PCs and it starts having techincal issues, you'll be shit out of luck if you forgot to submit the code (not to mention your entire system) to M$ ?

NO. :argh: FUCK NO (to quote my gf)

[sweetheart]

14. I guess asking their products to function is too much

Richer user experience must mean that the thing performs basic functions
without crashing... gosh. Expectations have indeed bottomed out for
the monopolist... what a load.

Last time i re-installed my microcrap, it took several hours including
all those stupid activation codes and bullshit... that microsoft
presumes my time is free, rebuilding machines from their corrupt mess.

I'll definitely go apple next time... i'm sick of the update treadmill
as well, and i expect some quality, functionality and responsibility
for my money. I'm glad microsoft think's they can put the screws on,
as they're already on a downward spiral. Enjoy the market share MSFT.
It will be lower ever year from this point foward.

[MSgt213]

15. Microsoft knows full well this won't work. Add-ons for Windows please.

What ever MS adds they bought from someone else in the first place.

[leesa]

19. Oh, oh! It's a Pirate fight! Which Pirate will win...Microsoft?

[Robb]

20. Story fell short of my expectations...

...I had this vision in my mind of theMicrosoft Anti-Piracy Initiative (C) employing out-of-work mercenaries, helicopters, frogmen, bursting into teenagers' rooms. :D

[B3Nut]

21. Activation is a PITA

I work in IT, and we don't have the activation-free packs, just the regular XP and Server 2003 copies. Make too many hardware changes and you have to reactivate, and oftener than not it gets rejected and I have to waste time on the phone, eventually ending up in India. We build our own systems in-house, both desktops and servers, and if I run into lemon hardware it louses up the activation. Ever have a peripheral flake out and disappear and reappear multiple times? That sets it off too. Infuriating.

I'm testing Linux, haven't found a distro that I really like though. Installing software is hair-pullingly difficult. I can't see it being viable for mainstream desktop use yet. Maybe the boxed versions are more "together" than the freebies...

TP

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

23. No, no, no...

It will be the Federal Software Police, Division of the Federal Mattress-Tag Inspectors. ;-)

[shanti]

22. eat this, microsoft!

i don't use IE anyway!!

[Renew Deal]

25. Infoworld link

http://www.infoworld.com/article/05/01/26/HNpiracycheck_1.html?source=NLC-TB2005-01-26

[leQ]

27. paul thurrott's take on it is where i first heard about it

from his winINFO mailing list, which is great headsup for any win enthusiast.

http://www.windowsitpro.com/Article/ArticleID/45218/45218.html

but he does make a valid point: suppose someone with an illegal copy sells their computer. that new owner is an innocent bystander if you will in this war.

[Zhade]

26. Palladium.

Oh, fuck Micro$oft. Fuck them so hard they BLEED.