Hacks and cracks are being offered liberally over the Internet.  Sometimes they are offered for free and sometimes they are sold at a much lower price.  So, it is no surprise that software users are tempted to grab these illegal deals rather than pay for genuine but much more expensive upgrades.  Piracy is so widespread that Microsoft felt that it is time to issue a specific and directed warning.

A simple misunderstanding?

Some consumers believe that once they buy their own PC, they completely own the software included.  This, however, is not the case for all software that comes with their PC.  Some applications found in a newly bought PC are actually demos or trial versions.  This means that buying the software alone can provide the user access to all the features of the application.  Sometimes software manufacturers provide a trial period in which the user can enjoy all the features.  When hooked, the user can buy the software itself.  So, when it comes to Windows 7 upgrades: they are only applicable to those who actually own Windows 7.  "Buying an upgrade and using its license for a newly installed Windows is illegal," said the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group's Eric Ligman.  It is time for consumers to start reading software license agreements.  Michael Cherry, the vice president of research for Microsoft, declares that it is still best to install with a proper license and not resort to piracy.

No more pledges of ignorance

Because piracy has been around for quite awhile, those who take advantage of hacks and cracks can no longer claim to be ignorant of the legality of the matter.  Those who actually find ways to download unauthorized versions of software are the ones who are most likely "in-the-know" when it comes to software and other technical stuff.  Ligman's blog post also makes it clearer to those who are actually ignorant about what should be considered against the law.  The blog serves as both a warning and an attempt to educate those who are still innocent about the legalities of hacks and cracks.

Microsoft's possible preventive measures

Because piracy can be very profitable to the sellers and even to the buyers, it is a very difficult case to crack -- no pun intended.  So, what Microsoft can do is go beyond the warnings and create active preventive measures.  One such measure is to design software differently.  The company can make definitive changes on Windows so that only authorized copies can enjoy the software's features.  WGA, Windows Genuine Advantage, may also be used.  WGA is an online validation tool that can recognize which copy is genuine and which one is not.  The threat of being revealed as a hack and a crack user can discourage Windows users from resorting to buying pirated software.

As a recent addition to Microsoft’s fight against software piracy, the company just released a new version of their WGA update.  This new version is designed to thoroughly check the software version and activation keys of Windows XP Pro for counterfeit or stolen product keys.  Since XP Pro is the Windows version that’s a favorite with software counterfeiters, this new release will specifically check those XP versions for instances of piracy.  It will also examine the latest cracks and bypass codes that software counterfeiters use in circumventing Microsoft’s current activation process.  

The process of fighting piracy

The process is really quite simple.  It is done automatically for systems that have automatic updates enabled, and for those who want to check the status of their XP version manually, one can go directly to Microsoft’s WGA site.  Also, WGA updates are required before one can download Windows plug-ins, components, and updates from their site.  For example, if you want to get the latest Direct X version from Microsoft, running the WGA notification process is a requirement.  

About privacy, Microsoft does not get sensitive or personal information from the PCs.  What the WGA process will look at are the hardware information from the computer, such as the computer make and model, BIOS version, Windows version, product ID, and volume serial number, just to name some.  

What happens when pirated software is detected

Microsoft claims that once an instance of counterfeiting is detected, it will not affect functionality.  What will happen is that the desktop will turn black, and one would be constantly annoyed by reminders from the system tray and task bar that your version of Windows is not genuine, and will present information to users on how to address the issue.  
According to Microsoft, most of the owners of counterfeit copies of XP are not aware that their version of XP is fake.  Some possibilities include buying counterfeited software unknowingly, being sold by unscrupulous computer and software retailers a fake copy, and the installation of a fake copy by computer repair centers.  Microsoft recommends that victims report these cases, and once determined that the customer is not at fault, Microsoft will provide a genuine copy of Windows to the customer.  

Here, Microsoft is after the software counterfeiting syndicates rather than individual users.  As the users are usually victims themselves, Microsoft is after the big fish rather than small fry.  Additionally, the company is using the WGA process to gain more information about counterfeiters to help them in prosecuting these syndicates.