Microsoft appears to be doing something rather unexpected with pirate Windows XP users, one moment they are locking them out of Windows updates and service packs and now they are offering to replace their illegitimate Windows XP OS with a genuine version. :p
This offer covers only pirate copies of Windows XP (both home & professional) that were on PCs purchased before the 1st of November, however the programme does not appear to cover pirate copies that were downloaded, copied or obtained by another means. According to Hilton who is involved in the pirate programme, Microsoft's aim is to trace and potentially prosecute the dealers selling PCs with pirate software while in turn doing the end user a favour.
To avail of a genuine replacement for a pirate version of Windows XP, consumers need to send off their receipt from where they obtained their version that turned out illegitimate along with a completed witness statement. The limit is 5 replacements per consumer. The Analyst group IDC predicts that 29% of software in use in the UK is believed to be pirated software.
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Microsoft will be offering anyone who's "unsure" about whether they've got dodgy software the chance to have it checked out by Microsoft, with the promise that if it does turn out to be counterfeit, they'll replace it. The deal only covers Windows XP and only five copies per person can be swapped. It's all free, bar the initial postage and package. The offer only applies to pre-installed home or professional Windows XP bought before 1 November. Alex Hilton, Microsoft's licence compliance manager, said the bulk of piracy seen by Microsoft was in the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) sector. Read the full article here. |
If you compare Microsoft's recent Genuine Software Programme with their free Genuine Replacement Programme, it becomes clear how they will quickly track many dealers of pirate software. With product key checking in Windows Update and its Genuine Software Programme, most unsuspecting users of pirate Windows XP software will quickly find out that their operating system is in illegal copy. Now with many consumers who have bought a PC with what they believed to include a legitimate Windows OS product finding out that they were cheated, this free replacement programme will be ideal for them to get back at the rogue dealers.
On the other hand, as this offer appears to only apply to those who actually purchased a PC with an illegitimate copy, consumers who downloaded or illegally obtained Windows XP by another means will see no benefit in this offer and will still be faced with restricted access to certain updates and service packs due to using an unlicensed or blacklisted key.
Unlike most game manufacturers, Microsoft seems to have a good technique in reducing piracy while not resorting to physical CD copy protection measures. On the other hand, reactivating Windows after a major hardware change must be done by telephone. I went through this process before with someone who got a replacement PC (1st PC had died after a week) and needed to reinstall Office XP professional. Normally the activation takes a few seconds over the Internet or a few minutes by telephone, but the 2nd activation took about 15 minutes speaking with a Microsoft representative!
Source: ElectricNews.net - Business
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I could see offering replacements for people that buy pirated copies that look just like the real thing.
but wouldn't most pirated copies (this 29 percent in the UK) be from downloads?
What is with the "i"s ??? Don't you have a spell check? Should I come over to show you how to use one?
