Swap offer for pirated Windows XP

zippyjuan · 11-28-2004, 10:19 PM

Last Updated: Friday, 26 November, 2004, 09:38 GMT

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Swap offer for pirated Windows XP

Microsoft hopes to net rogue traders in the swap offer
Computer giant Microsoft has launched a pilot scheme to replace counterfeit versions of Windows XP with legal ones.
The first-time initiative is restricted to the UK and to users with pre-installed copies of the operating system in PCs bought before November.

Until December Microsoft said software can be sent to it for analysis if there are doubts about its legitimacy.

The company aims to detect illegal traders and turn users of fake versions of Windows into legitimate ones.

Information gathering

The Windows XP Counterfeit Project will mean that software that is found to be counterfeit will be replaced for free, subject to certain conditions, until the end of the year.

It is the first time Microsoft has launched a counterfeit product replacement scheme in the world, the company told the BBC News website.

In June, the software giant said that the major security update to Windows XP, Service Pack 2, would not work with the most widely pirated versions of its operating system.

The upgrade closed security loopholes in XP and added features that made it easier to keep machines safe from viruses and other types of malicious computer code.

This is a great opportunity for users to confirm the authenticity of Windows XP software whilst helping gather vital information about illegal traders

Alex Hilton, licence compliance manager, Microsoft
The US company invited anyone who had suspicions about their version of Windows XP to submit it for testing as soon as possible.

The procedure consists of a series of computer checks, collating documents, and filling out a witness statement.

"This is a great opportunity for users to confirm the authenticity of Windows XP software whilst helping gather vital information about illegal traders", said Alex Hilton, licence compliance manager at Microsoft.

The scheme has also been welcomed by the technology and commerce industry.

"It is important that users ensure that they are legally licensed to avoid the risks of purchasing and using counterfeit products", said David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce.

The plan would enable Microsoft to gather intelligence about illegal traders in a prompt way, which would allow it to take action against software pirates.

Microsoft said it would evaluate the results of the UK programme before setting up similar schemes in other countries.

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This is only in the UK for now- part of Microsoft' s efforts to combat illegal versions of its software. From the BBC.

Dman33 · 11-30-2004, 06:08 AM

You know, I was wondering about this. I mean, I am not exactly one of those tinfoil hat types, but I do get suspicious when dealing with Microsoft. I can see it going like this:

Me: Hey MSFT, I have this PC, it was built by some guy... uh, I cannot remember his name, he used to live in the apartment next door.. anyway, he built my PC and I think my OS is fake cuz it is on a CD-R that has 'Win XP' written on it with a marker.
MSFT: Why thank you kind sir, give us that CD-R and here is a copy of WinXP Home edition for your troubles. Good job!

.. two weeks later ..
DOJ: Mr Dman33?
Me: Yes, can I help you?
DOJ: Come with us sir, the BSA on behalf of Microsoft has filed a complaint about you, you are under arrest for violation of the DMCA amongst other crimes against corporate humanity.

.. after criminal legal battle which bankrupts me ..
BSA: Mr Dman33?
Me: That is what is written on my cardboard box, whose asking?
BSA: Uh, Boy Scouts of America. Want some free soup?
Me: Sure! I would love some! So, yeah.. my name is Dman33.
BSA: Oh, good. Since we are being honest, we are actually the Business Software Alliance, and we have motioned to sue you for $100,000. Enjoy that soup!

11-28-2004, 10:19 PM	#1
zippyjuan Picture of the Day Guru Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 8,756	Swap offer for pirated Windows XP Last Updated: Friday, 26 November, 2004, 09:38 GMT E-mail this to a friend Printable version Swap offer for pirated Windows XP Microsoft hopes to net rogue traders in the swap offer Computer giant Microsoft has launched a pilot scheme to replace counterfeit versions of Windows XP with legal ones. The first-time initiative is restricted to the UK and to users with pre-installed copies of the operating system in PCs bought before November. Until December Microsoft said software can be sent to it for analysis if there are doubts about its legitimacy. The company aims to detect illegal traders and turn users of fake versions of Windows into legitimate ones. Information gathering The Windows XP Counterfeit Project will mean that software that is found to be counterfeit will be replaced for free, subject to certain conditions, until the end of the year. It is the first time Microsoft has launched a counterfeit product replacement scheme in the world, the company told the BBC News website. In June, the software giant said that the major security update to Windows XP, Service Pack 2, would not work with the most widely pirated versions of its operating system. The upgrade closed security loopholes in XP and added features that made it easier to keep machines safe from viruses and other types of malicious computer code. This is a great opportunity for users to confirm the authenticity of Windows XP software whilst helping gather vital information about illegal traders Alex Hilton, licence compliance manager, Microsoft The US company invited anyone who had suspicions about their version of Windows XP to submit it for testing as soon as possible. The procedure consists of a series of computer checks, collating documents, and filling out a witness statement. "This is a great opportunity for users to confirm the authenticity of Windows XP software whilst helping gather vital information about illegal traders", said Alex Hilton, licence compliance manager at Microsoft. The scheme has also been welcomed by the technology and commerce industry. "It is important that users ensure that they are legally licensed to avoid the risks of purchasing and using counterfeit products", said David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce. The plan would enable Microsoft to gather intelligence about illegal traders in a prompt way, which would allow it to take action against software pirates. Microsoft said it would evaluate the results of the UK programme before setting up similar schemes in other countries. ------------------------------------------------------------ This is only in the UK for now- part of Microsoft' s efforts to combat illegal versions of its software. From the BBC. __________________ I add new pictures to my photo gallery pretty regularly. You can see them here if you are interested: http://www.pbase.com/jeffryz

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11-30-2004, 06:08 AM	#2
Dman33 Lieutenant Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: New York Posts: 324	You know, I was wondering about this. I mean, I am not exactly one of those tinfoil hat types, but I do get suspicious when dealing with Microsoft. I can see it going like this: Me: Hey MSFT, I have this PC, it was built by some guy... uh, I cannot remember his name, he used to live in the apartment next door.. anyway, he built my PC and I think my OS is fake cuz it is on a CD-R that has 'Win XP' written on it with a marker. MSFT: Why thank you kind sir, give us that CD-R and here is a copy of WinXP Home edition for your troubles. Good job! .. two weeks later .. DOJ: Mr Dman33? Me: Yes, can I help you? DOJ: Come with us sir, the BSA on behalf of Microsoft has filed a complaint about you, you are under arrest for violation of the DMCA amongst other crimes against corporate humanity. .. after criminal legal battle which bankrupts me .. BSA: Mr Dman33? Me: That is what is written on my cardboard box, whose asking? BSA: Uh, Boy Scouts of America. Want some free soup? Me: Sure! I would love some! So, yeah.. my name is Dman33. BSA: Oh, good. Since we are being honest, we are actually the Business Software Alliance, and we have motioned to sue you for $100,000. Enjoy that soup!

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