Scan and validation method could become a model for the whole
industry
When a software product is expanding into new areas, piracy is not
a major worry. Indeed, it can have long-term benefits if it allows
more people to try the program and become users.
Today, however, practically everyone who can use Microsoft Windows
already knows about it and probably uses it. But they may not have
paid for it, so piracy is Microsoft's biggest single problem.
Microsoft has already tried various methods to get more people to
pay up. One example is Windows Activation, where users have to
register their copy of XP or it stops working. Another is the
development of cut-down single-language versions of XP for Asian
countries, where piracy is rampant.
According to Microsoft's chief executive Steve Ballmer, however
little users pay for these versions, it is far more than they would
have paid before, which was nothing.
Fortunately for Microsoft, virus writers and other scumware
programmers are helping to provide a solution. Windows is not
something you can install and forget about. It needs updating at
least monthly with patches for the latest malware exploits. Pirates
can hardly hide if they have to keep visiting Microsoft's
website.
Microsoft has therefore developed a small ActiveX control that
scans PCs, with their user's permission, and decides if they are
using a pirate copy of Windows. Microsoft is testing this utility
in 22 languages, and from 7 February, users of the Czech,
Norwegian, and Simplified Chinese versions of Windows will have to
validate their copy before downloading software and security
patches from the Windows update site.
You can expect the Windows Genuine Advantage programme to become
mandatory in all geographies in 2005. You can also expect other
software houses to adopt the same approach once Microsoft has
absorbed the resulting flak.
But as well as sticks, there are carrots. If users have a valid
copy of Windows, they will be able to download free programs such
as Microsoft's Windows Movie Maker 2.1 and Photo Story 3. They will
also be offered discounts on other software, from MSN Games (for
home users) to hosted Windows Sharepoint Services (for business
users).
Accidental pirates - who have paid but have been cheated by their
PC manufacturer or other supplier - will be offered XP for a low
price.
Non-payers will not, however, be thrown to the malware wolves. They
will be able to get any security patches Microsoft deems necessary,
but only if they let Microsoft install them, via Auto-update.
I think you can now see which way the wind is blowing, and I bet
you are not going to like it.
Jack Schofield is computer editor of The Guardian
www.microsoft.com/genuine