PC-GUY
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Argh, matey! Where be me <s>eye</s> patch? As we've been expecting, Microsoft has finally said that they will be using their Windows Genuine Advantage program to deny software pirates access to Windows Update. The program will start in the middle of this year, although you may have noticed that the validation tools popped up on Microsoft websites as early as September of last year. Straight from the Spanish War Galleon, Redmonia:
Under the current plan, validated genuine Windows users will have unfettered access to Windows Update, and Microsoft's Download Center. Those that are not validated will not have direct access to Windows Update or the Download Center. However, "to help customers who may require more time to move to genuine Windows software," un-validated users will continue to receive automatic updates of critical patches, if their computer is configured to receive them. Per Microsoft's wording, it is clear that this may be yanked at any given time.
Users who are validated by WGA will get some freebies from Microsoft, however:
The company will also launch a pilot program in dens of intellectual property thievery such as China, the Czech Republic, and err, Norway. The program will allow users to purchase a genuine version of Windows at a reduced rate should they discover they've been duped.
Of course, the high-seas of piracy are complex and treacherous. WGA will undoubtedly have some positive effects. For one, small system builders who are pirating Windows and then selling computers to unsuspecting people will have at least another hurdle to jump through. Any brick and mortar operation doing this on the sly will have to stop, or risk infuriating customers who later find out they've been had. Those who traffic only in pirated versions of Windows will undoubtedly continue to do so, but soon they may find a less-gullible market.
Your typical "personal pirate" who hacks his one version of Windows for all 5 of his computers will likely be unhampered by this. WGA currently has no provisions from preventing users from obtaining patches via alternate means, and it's only a matter of time until WGA can be manipulated the same way Windows Product Activation has been manipulated (and thus, the piracy continues).
Ars Technica
REDMOND, Wash. -- Jan. 26, 2005 -- In 2005, Microsoft Corp. plans to enhance its anti-piracy engineering, education and enforcement efforts by expanding the Windows® Genuine Advantage program. Windows Genuine Advantage checks the authenticity of a user's software and provides access to popular software and other benefits, helping consumers and businesses ensure that they are receiving the greater reliability, faster access to updates, and richer user experiences offered by genuine Windows XP software.
Will Poole, senior vice president of the Windows Client Business at Microsoft, had all of the standard things to say about piracy.
"Software piracy costs customers, software vendors and national economies billions of dollars every year. The best way to fight software piracy is to ensure that users recognize and receive all the benefits of genuine software," he said.
The PR machine went on to cast WGA has a pro-consumer initiative that would protect us poor souls from the dangers of counterfeit software, which include, and I quote, "an inferior computing experience, viruses and other vulnerabilities that can result from counterfeit software." The curious thing about this bravado is that, well, that's not really true. Pirated software is no more susceptible to these things than legit software. Until WGA, that is. WGA will have the explicit effect of making this ominous statement true, however, in that the program could deny pirated software users access to the patches that would otherwise at least grant them a modicum of protection.
Under the current plan, validated genuine Windows users will have unfettered access to Windows Update, and Microsoft's Download Center. Those that are not validated will not have direct access to Windows Update or the Download Center. However, "to help customers who may require more time to move to genuine Windows software," un-validated users will continue to receive automatic updates of critical patches, if their computer is configured to receive them. Per Microsoft's wording, it is clear that this may be yanked at any given time.
Users who are validated by WGA will get some freebies from Microsoft, however:
New software incentives, valued at more than $450 (U.S.), will be added for users of genuine Windows software who take part in the program, including these:
(I'll try and constrain my excitement until I can suit up later and head outside and make joyous snow angels!)- Microsoft Photo Story 3 for Windows
- Winter Fun Pack 2004
- Fifty percent off a selection of MSN® Games by Zone.com
- Six-month trial of Microsoft Office OneNote® 2003
- Fifty percent off hosted Windows SharePoint® Services
- Fifty percent off Microsoft List Builder service
- Thirty percent off the new Microsoft Office Outlook® Live service
The company will also launch a pilot program in dens of intellectual property thievery such as China, the Czech Republic, and err, Norway. The program will allow users to purchase a genuine version of Windows at a reduced rate should they discover they've been duped.
Of course, the high-seas of piracy are complex and treacherous. WGA will undoubtedly have some positive effects. For one, small system builders who are pirating Windows and then selling computers to unsuspecting people will have at least another hurdle to jump through. Any brick and mortar operation doing this on the sly will have to stop, or risk infuriating customers who later find out they've been had. Those who traffic only in pirated versions of Windows will undoubtedly continue to do so, but soon they may find a less-gullible market.
Your typical "personal pirate" who hacks his one version of Windows for all 5 of his computers will likely be unhampered by this. WGA currently has no provisions from preventing users from obtaining patches via alternate means, and it's only a matter of time until WGA can be manipulated the same way Windows Product Activation has been manipulated (and thus, the piracy continues).
Ars Technica
