[e-privacy] Micro$oft piracy restrictions (fwd)

[George Orwell]

From: George Orwell <nobody at mixmaster.it>
Subject: Micro$oft piracy restrictions
Date: 26 Jul 2005 20:59:24 -0000


http://apnews1.iwon.com/article/20050726/D8BIRL9G0.html
Microsoft Begins New Piracy Restrictions
Jul 26, 12:22 AM (ET)

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) - Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) has kicked off a 
new program aimed at severely curtailing the ways people using 
pirated copies of its Windows operating system can get software 
updates.

When a computer user starts to download updates, the new 
program, called Windows Genuine Advantage, will scan the machine 
to see if it's running an authentic version of Windows.

If the program detects a counterfeit copy, it will offer two 
options:

_Customers who fill out a piracy report, provide proof of 
purchase and send in the counterfeit CDs will get a free copy of 
Windows Home Edition, which retails for $199, or Windows 
Professional, which sells for $299.

_Those who simply submit a piracy report - giving details of 
when, where and from whom the operating system was purchased - 
and send in the counterfeit copy will get either version of 
Windows at half price.

The authentication process was optional until Monday. From now 
on, it will be required for all software updates except security 
patches.

After prompting customers that their operating systems need to 
be authenticated, the program will scan the computer, detecting 
the product number automatically - unless, of course, it's a 
fake.

Will Poole, a senior vice president in Microsoft's Windows 
division, said more than 40 million customers took part in the 
pilot.

The world's largest software maker did not disclose how many 
pirated copies of Windows it has rooted out since the program 
began as a pilot program last September.
============

Question:  I've _finally_ managed to locate and download a copy 
of winxpcorp.iso  is this microsoft thingummy going to sour any 
chance of using it?

Or will i be able to use it as long as i set it up while offline 
and turn off everything that calls home?

how about windows update?  any workarounds to make this thing 
updateable?

FYI for any that care, I'd buy the blasted thing if M$ would 
price it less than $40.00 U.S.  as it is, i need to use this 
'free' copy of sombody's archival backup.

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