Microsoft has warned internet users not to download the
Windows source code that appeared online last week.
The company is sending warnings to users who search for the
source code on peer-to-peer file-swapping services and is mailing
legal warnings to those who have already downloaded the secret
programming code.
Tom Pilla, a spokesman for Microsoft, would not say which P-to-P
services Microsoft is targeting or how the company is delivering
the alerts on the services it does not own.
"These alerts serve to inform users who initiate a search
looking for Windows source code that it is illegal to view,
download and share the code," he said.
Microsoft has also sent out hundreds of letters to people who
have already downloaded the source code. Many have already
responded by agreeing not to distribute the code and deleting it
from their systems. Pilla would not detail how Microsoft knows who
downloaded the code or who received the letters.
"We will take all appropriate legal actions to protect our
intellectual property. Today is about communicating, notifying and
explaining to users that downloading, sharing and viewing of the
source code is illegal," Pilla said.
Microsoft last week said that incomplete portions of its closely
guarded Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 source code, the blueprints
of the operating system software, had been leaked on the internet.
The company has started an internal investigation and called in the
FBI.
Pursuing those who have downloaded the code and warning Internet
users not to download the code is a "natural move" from Microsoft,
said Thor Larholm, a senior security researcher at PivX
Solutions.
"Microsoft has, historically, gone to great lengths to defend
their copyright, intellectual property and trade secrets," he add.
"Companies developing products for the Windows platform should also
ensure that their employees do not have the leaked source code, as
this could impact on their operations and bring a significant
liability on the company."
Although it is within Microsoft's rights to protect its
intellectual property, playing hardball with those who have
downloaded it may have an adverse effect on the company's image,
said Jupiter Research senior analyst Joe Wilcox.
"While the company arguably is the wronged party here, Microsoft
may want to carefully consider the larger public image cost of
trying to protect three-and-a-half-year-old source code," he said.
"The notices run the risk of backlash at a time when Microsoft
tries to rebuild a public image tarnished by the US antitrust
case."
Wilcox said that some people may view Microsoft's tactic as
heavy handed, along the lines of Recording Industry Association of
America. "Remember that some of the source code trading occurs on
the same P-to-P networks used for swapping music," he said.
Microsoft's Pilla would not comment on what further steps
Microsoft may take as it works to protect its intellectual property
and trade secrets.
Joris Evers writes for IDG News
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