Oi, pirates!
Windows XP users in some countries who use Windows Update have got a new tool on their machines: the Windows Genuine Advantage Notification. Basically if it reckons your Windows installation isn’t legit, it’ll pipe up “This copy of Windows is not genuine. You may be a victim of software counterfeiting” on the logon screen, with similar messages appearing as popups at random times.
Could be irritating enough to get people to cough up. I’m sure it won’t be long before it’s hacked into submission, of course. Meanwhile Office is joining in with an Office Genuine Advantage verification being pilotted.
April 28th, 2006 at 15:57
Yep, not long at all.
May 4th, 2006 at 06:19
Have you read the EULA? It sounds like spyware to me.
Microsoft will collect information about your Hardware
and Software. They will share this information with Third
Party Vendors. What does this have to do with piracy? I
think we need to look at our rights. Microsoft has gone too
far with this piracy business!