Microsoft launches anti-piracy initiative – Jan. 26, 2005

Microsoft wants to check your software to see if it’s legit. Again.

I suspect this will get cracked and hacked in about as short a time as the WinXP verifications did. News of Bill selling discounted copies to users of pirated Windows is bound to amuse (not) many… as little as $10 a copy in some countries. Sure glad I was able to get discounted OEM copies at about ten times that, instead of the $180 pricetag in the stores.

Maybe if Microsoft didn’t charge so damned much in the first place, people would be less inclined to find alternative methods of acquiring their software.

SEATTLE (Reuters) – Microsoft Corp. will combat piracy of its flagship operating system by requiring Windows users to verify that their copy of the software is genuine in order to receive timely updates and security fixes, the world’s largest software maker said Wednesday.