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Microsoft checking software licenses on web site

17 September 2004 15:42 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 4 comments

Microsoft has begun a program that will ask its users to participate in a license check on its main download site. Users, who do choose to participate, will have to wait briefly while the license is checked before going on to download their desired updates. Even if a license comes up invalid, the user will still be able to download the updates, but will be encouraged to bring their Software/PC back to the manufacturer and also given information on where to buy legitimate software. The program is not compulsory; it is completely up to the user whether or not to participate.

Microsoft are hoping that 20,000 people will participate in the program, which could take anywhere from six weeks to three months estimated. After that period of time, Microsoft will decide how they could improve the program and whether or not they will make it mandatory to all web site visitors. At the moment, the users being targeted are those who might have bought new PC's or new Operating Systems that could turn out to be pirated. Microsoft is not limiting access to any of it's downloads, including Windows XP Service Pack 2, which it encourages all users to upgrade to. However, some known pirated registration codes have been blocked out completely by the SP2 download.

It is estimated that piracy is costing software companies in excess of $29 billion each year. These steps taken by Microsoft might be brought on by more companies if this program is successful and could change the way the software companies operate in these days, where piracy figures are higher than ever.

Source:
News.com

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Discuss this article!
OzMick (Inactive) 18 September 2004 4:34
Is SP2 even worth my time bothering with? I'm a firm believer in the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy... My computer runs quite nicely with just SP1 and I just don't want to have to format cos something I like gets broken as an "improvement". Especially since MS doesn't allow for any way of installing SATA drivers other than by floppy (grrrr), and my sexy Shuttle is too classy for a floppy drive. So should I really bother? [ + quote]
Xian (Senior Member) 18 September 2004 4:56
Playing the Devil's advocate here, this might be a good thing for some people. What if you bought a PC with Windows installed from a dealer that you had never dealt with before? How do you know if they put a legal copy on or give you a counterfeit cd? If Windows Update tells you that your license was no good, I would be back to the dealer immediately demanding my money back or a legitimate copy since that was what I was charged for in the purchase. [ + quote]
OzMick (Inactive) 19 September 2004 20:52
Yeah, you do have a good point, but I just don't trust old Billie as far as I could throw him... I just don't like the idea of it being compulsory if it "fixes" something that I have grown accustomed to being "broken". Even if something pisses me off, the one thing I hate more is having a routine forcibly broken that I have come to have as second nature... [ + quote]
RedAnt (Member) 20 September 2004 6:40
-Well Good Luck Bill Trying to find users to participate in this program, half of all the PC users I know have a copyed Win XP OS on there PC or don't trust MICRO$OFT. Me I fall in the second group(I just don't trust Microsoft). Just my Two Cents. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are missing. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 20 September 2004 6:49