Microsoft "hacking" computers in China?

Amazing, so China has basically said, "we support you trying to protect your product, but since so much of what we have is stolen, you should make an exception for us."
This kind of thinking is just amazing. No wonder why diplomats have such a tough time with things.

Microsoft has shown great mercy to pirates by only giving them a black screen.

Is it a crime to sell or obtain counterfeit software? Of course it is. Should there be penalties for those offenders/thieves? You better believe it! But if a PC is not running a genuine version of Windows XP, then how does Microsoft have the right to invade and change anything on a computer that doesn't even use its software...even if they look similar? Microsoft should have the right to limit or disable the use of its own product if not properly licensed but this isn't even their product they're messin with here! It just looks like their product. Microsoft has gone too far...AGAIN!

Its not surprising to me that Chinese Officials are opposing the crackdown on anti-piracy methods. China has been the central front in world wide piracy efforts. I wouldn't be surprised if the Chinese Government is getting some kickbacks from the digital pirates.

I think Microsoft should work with copy protection experts to develop copyproof disk for high and ultra high piracy regions.

Or Microsoft and PC Vendors should take the manufacturing jobs away from these high piracy regions. That way there are no copies to steal. Perhaps when they realise we mean business on piracy, they'll enforce the laws. Until then, its a goldmine for these countries to steal.

Steve,

If their not using a genuine version of XP, then its a pirated copy of XP which is infringing on their code, copyrights, and other laws. If someone is selling a version of Windows XP with altered or malicious code, then it can become a zombie computer and effect millions of users by sending malicious code to other computer users. Thats why its important to crack down in unofficial versions of XP or pirated versions.

And so, now I have to subsidize China's use of Microsoft products, because the price is too high for the general population? This is hilarious in its own, sad way. Why can't they just "re-distribute" the wealth just like we're about to in this country. This way in almost no time, we can all possibly afford an Ipod. I think Sen. Stevens should jump on this bandwagon now.

Steve,

You seem to be mistaken. If I "hack" the novel "War and Peace" – changing one letter out of the millions of letters in "War and Peace" – I cannot claim this work as mine. The same goes for a Chinese hacked version of Windows XP – when 99% of the code is from XP, it is still Microsoft Windows XP. The same goes for your car – if I slap a bumper sticker on your car – how can you claim that it is your car, it just looks like your car.

This is absurd.

China should pay the price like everyone else. There is enough opened source program alternatives. If they do not like Microsoft Products, then go alternative, otherwise Pony Up, China.

Why oh why is China allowed to take this approach? They already control most of the manufacturing in the world and own half the outstanding debt that the US government has. It is high time they started pulling their weight in the international market. If they cant afford legitimate copies of Microsoft product, too bad!

Why is there always a Steve in the crowd. Of course it's MS' software – it's just stolen. Put the aerosols away Steve.

Steve, I cannot follow your logic at all. The computers in question ARE running actual copies of Microsoft's product (Windows) - if they were not, then how could MS's "black backgound" feature even get onto those computers in the first place? The problem is that the copies are not LEGAL copies of the software. The black background feature only kicks in when Windows runs on the PC and determines that it's an illicit bootleg installation.

Now please explain to us how such computers don't "even use its [MS's] software". What OS is running that "just looks like their product"? MacOS doesn't look like Windows. Linux doesn't look like Windows. What alleged Windows-lookalike operating system are you thinking of that is running on all those millions of Chinese PCs? There is none; the computers in question are just running stolen copies of Windows itself.

Will the Chinese just clean the MicroSpy with an antivirus ?
Or do the right thing, and switch to Linux ?

Steve, you gotta lay off the drugs.

These users downloaded updates from Microsoft. These users had the gall to download "free" updates from Microsoft for their stolen computers? If you rob me, I recommend not coming back and ask me for a cup of tea, you may not like what you get.

Microsoft was too nice, AGAIN!

steve your wrong. Most non genuine versions of windows is a ghost copy of a harddrive that had a fresh install of windows which had be activated. This bypasses the activation process for anyone who uses this copy. IT IS MICROSOFT SOFTWARE. It has just been motified or ghosted so it can be distributed freely among users.They have every right to protect their software. Besides the article says they only side effect is a black background on your desktop and a warning in the bottom right corner. They are not damaging anyone's hardware or software at all. They are simply showing that if you pay for a genuine version, have what ever background you want. If you don't, have an ugly black screen and an annoying message reminding you your copy is not genuine. Dont blow things out of proportion.

Microsoft = Big Brother
They aren't just looking in computers in China , they are looking in YOUR computer too...
Gathering information to "Better serve Windows users"
But we are sheep..... We just follow along and let it happen...
Cellphones tracking us , computers tracking us , cameras everywhere , etc... Paranoid or just the truth.... ?
Whats next ?

Are you on crack, Steve? Pirated XP is Microsoft's product just as much as Genuine XP. Wally is right, Microsoft could (should) do a LOT more devastating things to pirated XP machines than just blacking the background and putting a nag on the screen. If I were them I'd disable the network connections after 20 minutes.

Uh, Steve, I think you're missing something here...the pirated software DOES belong to Microsoft. They wrote the code. For some reason I think you're confusing 'pirated' with 'imitation'. The bottom line – the software is STOLEN. Buying something that's stolen doesn't give you the right to legally own it.

Whaaaaa, my illegal software doesn't work properly! Whaaaaa!!!

Its about time we stop cow towing to China. China is NOT our friend (the USA) People can't afford the price of WIndoze because the Chinese government keeps their currency artificially low which makes foreign products more expensive, hence their people can't afford more. I guess they'll just have to send us more poisoned products to make up for it.

1. The users who are affected by this are using PIRATED copies of Microsoft's Windows XP operating system, XP Professional.
2. It's illegal to use pirated software. Anyone who doesn't know this by now shouldn't be using a computer.
3. Microsoft's reaction to the piracy is merely to issue warnings to such users that they're running pirated software.
4. For this, China's attorney is demanding a ONE BILLION DOLLAR FINE of Microsoft. THE SOFTWARE STILL WORKS, for crying out loud!!!
Sorry, but I think the fine is an unbelievably ludicrous demand. Trust a lawyer to come up with it. If anything, the USER'S should be the ones paying the fine! Come on!!!
Do you think that this attorney would have taken the case if the company in question was “Joe's Software Company, Inc.?” Heck no, 'cause then he wouldn't have been able to charge those $25,000-per-hour fees.
I think that Microsoft has shown admirable restraint - far more than I would have, given the same situation. If Microsoft doesn't nail these people to the wall, I'll be very disappointed.

Let me get this straight:
Microsoft is going to get sued because they are tampering with ILLEGAL COPIES of their software? Typical. Friggin lawyers.

Steve– in reply: I agree with you only to a point. The only way Microsoft would know if XP is a legal copy or not is when then the user tries to update. When the illegal user gets an update (service pack, security update, etc) then all bets are off. Microsoft can do what they want. The illegal copy user did not pay Microsoft for XP, so why shouldn't Microsoft take action when they try to get an free update?

A agree with Wally, Microsoft could have done much worse. I personally would have chosen a blue screen rather than black.

Actually steve, they are using computers with software Microsoft created, a PC with a "none genuine version" of Windows XP is still a product of Microsoft, a product that they did not receive revenue from, which means it is stolen from them. So Microsoft has every right to try to put an end to people using stolen copies of their product. If they didn't do something to stop people from stealing copies of their software, they why would anyone pay money for it? If no one is paying for it, no one is getting paid to create the software, so it wouldn't get developed in the first place.
Pirating these copies is illegal. Considering all Microsoft is doing is altering the display background and making it obvious that your using a stolen copy is very minimal compared to what they could do.
Microsoft went soft on these people, they should of taken much more intensive actions to stop people from using pirated copies and reward people for purchasing legitimate copies.

Steve said: "But if a PC is not running a genuine version of Windows XP, then how does Microsoft have the right to invade and change anything on a computer that doesn’t even use its software…even if they look similar"

Microsoft is referring to authorized versions of it's software as "Genuine", and unauthorized versions of it's software as "Not Genuine". It is their software, but it's been illegally copied by millions of users. The thieves are using MS update because that's what the Windows OS does.

Linux based computers don't have any problem with this because Linux users aren't stealing Microsoft's property. Microsoft does have a right to modify the update process so that anyone stealing updates is made aware of that fact.

Is anyone surprized that the Chinese government, which tolerates counterfeit, contaminated baby food, has no problem with theft?

I agree, if they don't like it, then switch to Linux. Linux is just as capable as Windows in every respect, and it is legitimately free. Linux's only drawback is that it is not as user friendly as Windows. If a whole country as large as China made the switch, then all those usability quirks would get ironed out in record time (more users reporting bugs/making suggestions). Windows is a dinosaur and cross-platform software will be the catalyst that sends it into extinction.

Of course the Chinese government will never get serious about cracking down on counterfeit copies of US company-owned software and entertainment product. As we send billions overseas for Chinese hard manufactured goods while we increasily pin our economy to "intellectual property" which is widely and easily bootlegged with impunity, it's no wonder the trade deficit is soaring and they're kicking us in the teeth economically. I'm sure the Chinese government will swiftly lend all possible support to a US company's efforts to protect its rights among their citizenry... not.

Steve, Microsoft is not "invad[ing]" users computers. When a user connects to Microsoft's servers to download updates for their illegetimate Operating Systems, Microsoft is doing this. If the users don't actively connect to Microsoft to get updates for their illegitimate OS, they won't get this. Just as you would have to pay to get the updates and support for Linux from a company like Red Hat or Novell, you need to pay for a license from Microsoft to get updates and support for XP.

This is mentioned in the article. Users who turn off Auto Update do not get this.

what is there logic here

Microsoft could just turn all there comp. off

China will probably adopt linux over the next decade as the nation's de facto operating system. No country wants to be dependent on another country for the systems that pratically 'run' the world.

only in china can you be a thief and then decry the shop owner for trying to protect their property.

Corporations hack our computers daily. Every day I run a spyware cleaner and every day it finds something. Every day. Those cookies aren't there for our convenience, you can be sure of that. As for Microsoft, they have been pushing anti-piracy legal measures since the MS-DOS days.

Are you kidding me they are running a hacked version of Microsoft's software. They should just disable the OS unfortunately M$ is just too greedy...

I think the poor folks in low-income countries never fared into the equation when Microsoft formulated its OS pricing scheme. Can I, with the above-average wages of, say, a computer programmer afford to buy a shrink-wrapped Windows OS? Here, yes. There, no way.

On the other hand, there’s Linux with Open Office, Gimp, etc. for free to go around. Some Taiwanese notebook manufacturers seem to be pushing it. Maybe programmers from low-income countries should build their own software instead. Then again, with no money-making incentive, no one might put in the time to build software as well designed, packaged, and marketed as Microsoft ware. (Let's not talk about quality and stability...)

The answer may be somewhere within the framework of the flattening of the world if it lives up to what it’s supposed to be. That is, lower prices for everyone in the whole world. No more my-Vista-Ultimate-is-superior-to-your-Home-Basic.

Not too long ago my $450 DVD player was my source of pride. Now that they’re $30 apiece, I don’t miss those times at all. Most technology prices have plummeted. MS software has somehow managed to keep its high price.

Although I'm no fan of Microsoft, I think they've got every right to go after pirated versions of their software. Windows XP wouldn't cost $300 if everyone bought a legit copy, but since half the world is getting it for free, it drives up the price for everyone else.

China has been coddled for far too long by companies and countries both. China is responsible for most of the digital piracy in the world, corruption allows tainted products to become common-place (lead in paint, plastic in food, fake medications, etc.). It's time we stopped doing so much business with China, and started buying back some of our debt, it gives them WAY too much control over us.

MicroSoft is a Monopoly, built on the foundations of Mega Corruption.
Supported, groomed for, extending the reach of the International Tworm.
You could argue Bill Gates is wonderful, practicing safe Aids in Africa
Reality is more sinister, More than another version of Monopoly Big Oil
Tentacles reaching into, profiling secretly, every keystroke.

Watch Ravi Batra: World Poverty

Figures the monopoly talk would come out.

Kudos to MS for figthing back in China. This is something that affects ALL software companies, movie studios, and music labels in China. They have the worst piracy problem in the world, and the first company to try and stand up and do something to stop it.

As for MS being a monopoly can someone stop whinning and sing another tune for a change. If you don't like there product, then use someone else's.

In the same way, a BMW M5 is an expensive car. I don't need one so I got a different car. Maybe people who cannot afford to buy the MS Windows product should not automatically feel they have a human right to possess this trademarked commercial tool. Maybe is too expensive for them. The solution is not to steal things that are too expensive for you. But rather, make more money. Then you can buy what you need. We are all too poor to buy everything we want. This is not unique to China. This is something we all struggle with. Some of us steal things and it's really cool. Just don't expect it to go unnoticed.

When will the world stop thinking of Microsoft as a piggy bank? Seems like any time a country wants fast cash in large sums (EU, China, US), they simply hire a team of lawyers to file suit against Microsoft for some lame reason and wait for the company to write a check in order to make the suit go away.

The only thing Microsoft has hacked is their approval ratings. Considering most people in China can't afford a legit copy of Windows, it astounds me that Microsoft would jeopardize their global monopoly by doing that to so many computers. Microsoft's success depends on retaining users, not making money selling licenses (although corporate licenses are still important, obviously.) Developers are the key to a successful Operating system (remember Steve Ballmers infamous speech?) Developers generally want to develop for the platform where they can reach the largest percentage of the public (those who use Windows, at the moment.) If people start getting ticked off and use other Operating Systems, then Microsoft makes a lot less money than if every home user had simply "stolen" Windows.

If China is not buying the product then what good are they? I say MS should shut down all pirated copies.

This is like a car thief complaining about an anti-theft device that automatically shuts it off. They stole software that has anti-theft functionality in it!! Its not like MS went into their computer and added it later and without their permission. It was part of what they stole.

People steal software, and then claim countermeasures are illegal.

Unreal.

So, they're concerned about "personal info security" now? When they are censoring every information that comes in China, scared that the people might know better than their "great" CCP!!!???

I'm sorry but the Chinese government is a bunch of hypocrites!!! As if they care for their own people. If Microsoft's too expensive, then why can't they subsidize them rather than pirating everything the West makes??

Reply to John: I think you ment Bill Gates is too greedy not M$. To Steve the non-genuine users are illegally obtaining the copies of the OS and putting them on their CPU. They do this in one of MANY ways. One of those being either by simply copying the CD and then selling that to people along with the CD registration code, or they think that if they change one little non-inportant part of the coding is making not MS's product any more. Then they would put that onto a CD and sell it like they would sell a simple copied CD.

Micro$oft Cheated, Frauded , and Deceived to gain monopoly status.
People self trained, on copies, for workplace office use,
For a while, a Microsoft benefit; Now, on the Monopoly hook,
Training complete, overfished, survivors to Linux ?

Fraud, and hoax, the Big Bang Bubble of Deception, only for so long ?
http://watch.bnn.ca/friday/#clip106010

So therefore MS has a right to "hack" into their computers with their (MS's) OS and tell them that they need to buy a genuine copy or they will have a black DT background for the rest of the time using a non-genuine copy of the OS. I don't know why Bill Gates is just giving them a black DT background. He could have done a lot worse, like giving them the BLUESCREEN OF DEATH PERMANTLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That in otherwords is the bluescreen that comes of if there is a major problem with a very important peice of hardware such as the whole programming of the whole computer itself.

Or MS could just send Chuck Norris after them all. then roundhouse kick them in the face then do the same to the computers until they are broken beyond repair.

We buy their cheap crap, and they won't buy ours

"But, some free open-source software also witnessed a huge increase in sales, apparently thanks to Microsoft’s crackdown"

How does Free software see an increase in Sales?

Chinese communists are known of making fake. They even faked themself in UN and replace the Republic of China.
Stop the piracy, save the world!

Great !! About time they do more to stop people from stealing. Not fair to the rest of us who have paid for it. If the product is too expensive, no one will buy it and the price will go down. To steal something because it cost too much is not an vaild excuse to steal.

Too bad they didn't simply disable windows when a stolen copy is found.

a perfect solution for the entire world... USE LINUX. its better than any operation system. ITS FREE

Maybe Microsoft, when it gets the $1 billion dollar bill, can return it to China and note that they agree to pay, and have written off the pirated copies, which amounts to, wow, gee, what a kwinky-dince, $1 billion dollars!

Since they're all even-steven, I guess they can wait for the joys of pirated Windows 7 to exchange bills again!

It's true that Microsoft has legitimate rights to windows. But just to put some perspective on things:

1. Not counting large corporations (Motorola, IBM) easily 99% of Microsoft Windows is pirated in China. Esp. among college students where as few as two or three students in an entire dorm building will be using a legitimate copy. This extraordinary piracy rate is also shared throughout society including many small businesses and the average home user.

2. Why? Because compared to middle class income it is like Microsoft Windows costing ~$2000 over here. Also with a lot of DIY computer construction there is less opportunity to bundle an OS into a new computer.

Ultimately the real reason behind piracy is that it's so darn easy. While strictly speaking new government crackdowns have somewhat removed those 50 cent Vista copies from the street, it remains ridiculously simple to download a copy and everyone (not just the tech-literate people) does it. Who's going to pay $2000 when it could be free?

China doesn't typically play by the rules. I have had a duly registered domain name for several years and was recently notified by the domain registeration authority in China that they were authorizing a Chinese company to use both our name and domain – unless I paid an extortion fee.

Microsoft should be free to name their own price in China. it shouldn't be an excuse for IP theft.

Remember these comments next time China negotiates "in good faith". They have a different standard of honesty it seems.

chinease communist
they should have a punishment like every one else would
if i pirated id be jailed if they do it they get away free theirs not fair logic behind this.

I will continue to purchase illegal versions of MS products. The extra money I save goes for gambling money, hookers and Burger King. All is fair in love and business.

Ha! Does this surprise anyone that MS would be hacking?? By the way if you own a Windows running PC, you have a little thing that goes out and checks for updates all the time.
You don't know what you're downloading except for what they tell you, you have to trust that MS is honest about the "patch" you are downloading.
In reality, with corporations having more rights than individuals or God for that matter in this country, MS could be spying on you and going through all your files under the disguise of providing you with another "patch" for your operating system.
By the way, MS is a data company also much like Acxiom and others who sell marketing information on individuals to whomever will pay for it.
This information can be very detailed, and as much as 2 thousand pieces of information can be collected about a person in some of these marketing profiles.
Ask yourself: "Do you know 2000 things about yourself?"
Exactly.
Wake up people we live in a surveillance society, and not just any surveillance, everything you do especially online is tracked and counted, your life is for sale.
This opens another Pandorah's box in that it makes the masses easier to manipulate. Such that commercial interests could manipulate most of the population out of democracy for the sake of selling them more stuff. Don't think they wouldn't do it.
The big multi-nationals would turn us into a Chinese-like state if they could, and they would definitely make a bigger profit with all of us making nothing as a result.
What do you think globalization is really all about???
It is designed to take away the power of negotiation of the small guy, they give him a job, if he doesn't like the pay, they'll tell him the job will be moved to China. Problem solved.

Franko, I'm guessing that English is not your native language, or you are high on something because nothing you say makes a d@mn bit of sense.

Thee hundred and seventy six dollars who is the crook here i buy legal windows xp professional for 76 dollars as wholesaler even retail here xp is half that.

My boot drive just crashed.. lets see if i have to buy a new copy of windows for the same computer.. or have to throw away a perfectly good working computer because 250 for windows is too much to spend on a used pc

lets see too if i'm forced to buy the crappy horrible non functional non compatable vista instead of getting a new authentication for my existing xp.

if i have to buy more than one copy of windows.. for one computer.. then steal away.. i'm glad someone is ripping microsoft off as bad as they are ripping me off...

windows is a defacto monopoly.. they should be heavily regulated.. and not allowed to have "propriatary" features in the OS. Features we dont want.. but have to pay for because they are a defacto monopoly.

if' 'm allowed to reinstall windows.. which came with my pc.. as often as i need to on that one computer.. i wont be as pissed off...

till then you wont see me shedding any tears for microsoft in china.

I've fallen foul of this software with a used system. a recycled Dell. Its a bit of a blunt instrument and Microsoft support's attitude is that if our software says you need to give us money then that's it. (This is despite Dell systems obviously coming with Windows and it having a license sticker on it.) Part of the problem here is that they want to tie the copy to the original purchaser, not the machine, so they expect you to buy a new copy when the machine changes hands.

I solved my problem by using an alternative OS. Microsoft needs to watch out .... Linux isn't perfect but it actually does several things better than Windows. Its also a lot faster and more reliable. Its got some deficiencies but they're relatively minor. The last thing MSFT wants is a whole bunch of people being given a reason to move to it because once they've moved they're not coming back - ever.

The main point here is if MS disables Windows on all of these computers will those users go and buy Windows? Of course not! That's 2-3 months salary for a lot of these people. They'll just install Linux or some other free software which will drastically cut Microsofts market share and that could start bleeding over into other markets. With China cracking down on cheap quality exports we're going to see a lot more higher quality products coming out of there. Does MS want to see all these products running Linux or some other OS? In the end their anti-piracy measures won't matter because someone will always find a way around them and MS knows this. But they have to look like they're doing something to discourage others.

Cars are expencive to does that mean that everyone that Cant afford a car should be excempt when they steal one?
You wouldnt go to Ford and steel a car and then take it in 3 months lator wanting them to give you a tune up.
If you Stole a Car you would get Jail time! and you dont get to continue to use the car . I realy dont see what every one is complaining about.

With MicroSoft planning obsolescence for XP, arguably their best ever OS, one might expect the price to be reduced. Even now, we are paying $135 for it – $376 in China is totally ridiculous. If MicroSoft relies on their monopoly to try and make their pricing stick, they can only expect piracy to proliferate and other competitors to appear.

Maybe China will buy Linux – the company – and MicroSoft can say goodbye to the biggest developing market on earth.

Franko, you make as much sense as my 1 year old niece.

Microsoft is a monopoly, created by government corruption.
Instead of resolving conflicts, allowing competition
Looked the other way, a convenient way to deliver worldwide spyware.

Europeans have won big anti-Microsoft cases,
A monopoly, a fraud. The MegaThief complains ?

I agree that MS is being pretty lenient in their simple implementation of a desktop change for a pirated OS...they could do much worse, and I don't think anybody could really blame them if they did! Well, with the exception of "Steve", of course. I wonder if Steve would feel the same way if it were HIS software or his creation or his business.

The very idea that China is mulling a $1 BILLION fine for MS is completely ludicrous. If MS decided to pull out of China and block ALL updates to that country...that might send a message. But alas, the chances of that happening are pretty slim; MS loves the money too much, and they don't want to alienate a 2 billion-plus market.

Maybe dropping prices on XP would be a helper in a situation like this, but the fact is....where people CAN get something ( illegally) for free, there will always be those who do. And we're not talking about something people need to survive, we're talking about a luxury item here, with perfectly viable, and free, alternatives.

You can't 'buy' and exclusively own the rights to Linux. No one can, that's it's fundamental beauty.

Linux handles memory better, faster,
But peope are creatures of a bad habit, not a window, but a spy door.

Operating systems, soon relageted to device driving.
People are internet intensive, and browser centric.

Sign of beginning of the end for Micro$oft
When they eat babies, cannibalizing their future.

Not just in China. I worked for a Software company in California. The owner would received a case of "BLANK" cd's from China, lo and behold, the where spindles of xp pro cd's. Owner sold them as "OEM" in a sleeve..... I'm not surprised, China doesn't really honor copyright laws, only if it is to their advantage.

Dare I even ask how exactly this is hacking? Microsoft is not "invading" the computers. An independant program that verifies the legitimacy of the OS is running that the end-user voluntarily had installed. Now I don't really care for Microsoft myself, but what we are talking about is a company and a fight against piracy. If you don't want the black screen either buy a legitimate copy of Windows or steal from them and don't use automatic updates. This seems like a no-brainer but some people are off their rockers.

easy solution to the problem, support open source projects. Ubuntu is leaps and bounds better anyways

I'd rather own my software, and not "lease it", so I use Linux whenever I can.

Microsoft missed the internet,
Obscene profits crashing through the breaking window.

Gates abandoned the sinking mother ship.
Will he also dump all his stock, and buy IBM ?

China can request a cheaper / limited edition from Microsoft and enforce its users to purchase legal copies of those.

No wonder they manufacture stuff for a cheap price!!!

remember when napster was shut down by the music industries? i used to buy cd's , and share. Now there are more ways than ever to get free music, and there is very little chance that i'll buy music again. I predict that microsoft will make similar moves that will push customers away. it seems to me that microsoft has gotten too greedy with the software and the money that they think it is worth. They are trying to monopolize it. Maybe if they could make a version of windows that were reliable and priced right, they wouldn't have this problem.

first of all don't confuse me with the first Steve.
I don't know what you guys are talking about for prices can't they get on the same internet i do and buy a copy of XP just bought one for like $40. Come on people just google buy windows xp. Just have it mailed overseas it'll cost a little bit but maybe like $60 sounds reasonable to me.

"adamrussell October 28th, 2008 8:03 pm ET
This is like a car thief complaining about an anti-theft device that automatically shuts it off. They stole software that has anti-theft functionality in it!! Its not like MS went into their computer and added it later and without their permission. It was part of what they stole."

Not quit a correct analogy let me tweak it a little

This is like a car thief complaining about an anti-theft device that turns on a light that says car stolen please buy it. It affects nothing same gas mileage and mechanics don't refuse to work on it or try to report you they just ignore it.

Franko,

I'm not sure what translator you are using, but your posts are hilarious!

At first I thought you might be over medicated or on dope, but if that was the case you would never have been able to keep coming back with such awesome material so fast.

Keep it up man, I'm laughing so hard I cried. Ha!

I’m voting for Franko for President!

-"Microsoft should have the right to limit or disable the use of its own product if not properly licensed but this isn’t even their product they’re messin with here! It just looks like their product. Microsoft has gone too far…AGAIN!"

Umn no...

How bout I come to where you work and steal enough service or product from you or your company to completely outfit everyone in china.

Sound fair?

I think not.

Microsoft should have formatted they're drives or disabled they're bios. Stealing software is no different than a thugh stealing things from your home. People make that software and depend on the revenue to support they're families.

As a programmer that makes software to support a family... I absolutley hate how the "general" public believes software should be free and given away... How bout you all make yourself an operating system then.

To Jim with the BMW analogy, I agree. I’m OK with having an expensive name brand for every type of commodity like BMW, Apple, or Lacoste because I can always skip those and buy a Hyumdai, an eMachine, or those 4-for-$20 polo shirts at Footlocker. But with OSes, Windows is so dominant one can pretty much expect not to survive without it. Knowledge of Windows is a requirement in just about every want-ad.

And the product-tiering of Vista Ultimate/Business/Premium/Basic feels so much like a throwback from the old days. It was great when MS got rid of the Windows 98/Me architecture in place of the more stable NT core for home users in XPHome. But now, MS seems to be changing its mind again so it can justify (subliminally?) its high prices.

At least here in the States, it’s easier to part with our $2000 (I like Mike’s analogy, too) because MS actively sponsors many free events that anyone can attend, has tons of free downloadable goodies, gives away express editions of Visual Studio, SQL Server, etc. so tech-wannabes can learn them (and even build small non-scalable home applications), etc. But without also a free OS to run them on, it could be seen as (again) leaving out those people in low-wage countries.

Who knows, maybe MS’s decision to allow pirated copies to continue to work despite the snooping implant is aimed toward this - that is, freebie XP users will just have to live with (or put masking tape over) the “not an authentic XP” message at the bottom of the screen. At least it’s not a bright blinking red desktop.

Martin, I too am tinkering with Linux and am so thoroughly impressed by it. I don’t think it needs a billion of the world’s propellerheads to put their heads together and overtake XP, Linux just waiting for one killer niche app to take off.

To CDC, I think history might offer insight. The American Indians in the reservations don’t assimilate as well, but they live in peace knowing that haphazardly adopting an alien worldview would surely be chaotic. For all we know, to China, that’s all we are - an “alien worldview”.

Maybe China, regardless of whatever its legal representatives say or do, is merely crying for attention. Frankly, I don’t see a solution either other than to wait for “world flattening” to fulfill its prophecy of a global market with global wages. But if China and other low-wage countries for now can be assured that their economies are considered when MS sets its OS prices, much (or at least some) of the problem might go away. I’m sure we have piracy issues here, too, but pirates here don’t complain because MS gives a lot back to the community. People outside the “community” – that is, outside the U.S. – might think we’re benefiting at their expense.

@Steve: Steve "But if a PC is not running a genuine version of Windows XP, then how does Microsoft have the right to invade and change anything on a computer that doesn’t even use its software…even if they look similar?"

Steve, you are clearly totally unaware of what you are talking about. This IS Microsoft's product, however it has been stolen. The 'genuine' refers to genuinely licenced. All that has happened is that the check for a genuine licence has found unlicenced versions and the black screen then comes into play. Until "I couldn't afford it so I just stole it" becomes a valid defence in court these people have no right to complain. While they wait for that unlikely event they can either save and buy a legit copy or move to another OS.

lol Microsoft finally went too far. This will be their downfall, bwhahaha.

So thats why my windows stopped working XD

Microsoft sold drugs, pretty icons, to amuse the bozo bosses.
Became a government backed spyware standard
The real, not counterfit, symbol of the War Eagle

Leveraging, projecting, US corporate power, to every opportunity
Paid for numerous, wasteful corrupt times, over and over again
Now Microsoft wants infinite plus one..

Step back, one level, and see the tentacles of the corruption monster.

oh steve, just be quiet and stop trying to blame microsoft for all your dam* problems.

I think someone should investigate this person by the name of steve.

I wish we could go back to Web 1.0, where every page didn't have to have row after row of user comments. I'd bet there's a good chunk of people on the net that really don't care what you think about this article.

[...] program itself is ridiculously mild compared to the normal Microsoft tactics. According to CNN: Microsoft started a global plan in August to upgrade one of its anti-piracy tools, to make a stand [...]

Coming from a country where piracy is rampant, like in China, I understand their position. $376 for a genuine copy of Windows is out of the question. People simply don't make enough, and it is absurd to think you can sell that software to the entire population. They don't live the fairy tale that we do here in the USA.

Sue them for updating their own software? It was pirated. If I download a pirated file and it puts a virus on my computer that makes it not-usable then I deserve it. Microsoft should have had personal information taken from each offender and imposed a "billion dollar fine" that we all know the chinese will never pay. We should be allowed to bomb their plants that manufacture illegally produced patented consumer products. China gets away with so much.

wow- a warning...if I were the largest shareholder at MS....I would of created it where it would seize the whole computer until a legitimate key was entered.

Hey, I can't afford Windows XP either – I just keep plugging along until I can. Why can't the Chinese learn to live that way?

I dont agree with China's position on this issue and also think it is fine for microsoft to have anti-piracy mechanisms in its software.

However I would also like to point out that the price issue is very real for many developing countries (not sure about china). Back in my home country the starting pay for a typical software engineer at an average software company is around $150 per month. Now that person would need to spend more than two month of his salary to just buy microsoft windows? And buying any design or development software would probably require 6-month or 1-year pay.

Software companies need to have different price scemes for each country. Pretty much like there are cheap international or economy editions of books. In it is to their advantage as well. The anti-piracy crackdowns would at best force people to shift to free open-source platforms like linux, but would not boost the sales that much since people simply dont have the money to buy these genuine products.

To undestand this, choose your co-ordinate system
One to one, nTuple Map, into imaginary strings and manifolds the Solution process, PetaFlop with numerous Linux webbed computers

Even so, Wrong reference frame, Wrong vision to optimize,
Shining Corruption Octopus Iron Monster, getting stronger
Starved you are, barely alive, the poor, allowed the black screen

Corporations, the capital to be optimized, gained legal rights,
Over the poor; Enormous advantage in size, hence the asymmetry,
The poor and starved, are the price of corruption.

Do you guys ever get tired of reading your own posts ? This has to be one of the lamest "news" threads I read in a while. You guys just yammer on and on.. Sigh, please go find some whitty ladies in your lives and maybe touch some wool.. you need it bad..

Thanks for raising the tone, Bob. Hope to hear from you soon. PD

Marco...if you can't afford it YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT...that simple. Buy what you can afford and skip what you can't afford...that is what the rest of the world does! China should be no exception! I don't go around stealing everything I cannot afford to buy...they should not be allowed to either.

Maybe MicroSoft should publish a version that if it is not licensed it crashes your whole system...then bursts into flames and burns your house down. Now that would be something I could support for high risk countries like China!!!

So... FREE software "sales" went up, eh? Sigh. 8th grade grammar guys, 8th grade grammar.

Steve from Illinois, I don’t think that would work either. Would a non-English speaking Chinese in China exchange his hard-earned yuan for the almighty US dollar and order XP at below retail from a potentially questionable source with no idea on how to could get his money back if there were problems? Most likely not. Would you?

Perhaps another way if one really wanted to go legit is to somehow get his hands on a used Dell (overstock.com has Optiplexes for under $200 – still cheaper than $376 plus you get a whole computer) with its COA sticker. If it doesn’t come with HD or XP, borrow a Dell OEM XP CD which you’ll find littered by the dozens in IT departments. Then again, shipping a whole computer would kill the deal.

If the $40-$60 you mention officially came from MS, then I think that would be a start.

There is a bug in Microsoft's detection!

I received the warning in the USA on a brand name computer I've had for several years, bought from a legitimate retailer. So unless Toshiba were using pirated software, there's a problem with Microsoft's latest version of their license validation software.

Chinese complaining about piracy? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

I'm exceedingly skeptical about the whole "Windows costs $376 in China" thing.

Everything I could find seems to say that MS sells their software overseas for fairly comparable prices to what they charge in the US (usually ~$100 for a single-user license of the consumer-level OS).

In fact, here's a story about them cutting the price of Vista Home Basic to $65 in China - *less* than they charge in the US - last year: http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/08/03/Microsoft-cuts-Vista-price-in-China_1.html

The $40 – $60 Version of WinXp Pro, that Steve from Illinois is referring too...

Is an actually, legitmate, and genuine copy.

There is a catch however. It is the OEM Version and not the Retail Version. A lot of places like Newegg, or other such internet order sites, offer the OEM versions of MS XP much cheaper then the Retail versions, though not quite as cheap as Steve is claiming, but there are others places that do.

So whats the difference between the OEM and the Retail?

Well; when you buy the Retail version in your local Best Buy, you're paying an extra $100 for a fancy, colorful cardboard box, and manual.

The OEM Version only comes with two things.

1. The Install Disk.
2. The Genuine Windows Key Code Sticker

However, with an OEM, you do not get full support from Microsoft... because, quit simply the OEM is just that, OEM.

OEM = Original Equipment Manufacturer.

OEM Versions are what Microsoft sells directly and "in cheap bulk" to the major builders such as Dell for example, who then package it with their own stuff. Infact, they'll sell it to anyone, who deal is the sales and distribution of PC Parts and Components, because thats all a part of being an Original Equipment Manufacturer...

The only requirement to buying a copy of OEM XP; is in its legal agreement, which states that a buyer has to purchase a Hard drive, or a Motherboard with the software. Only it does not state that those parts have to be functioning parts!

A lot of PC builders out there, are therefore buying up cheap copies of the OEM Version, and to make the sale legit, they throw in a Dead Hard drive for 1$! Done deal, you got your cheap copy of Windows, throw the dead HDD away and your set! Infact some of them are not even required to sell any HDD with it at all... for example, Newegg is allowed to sell the OEM Versions, only because they sell a certain amount of PC Parts per month.

So yes.

It is easy to acquire super cheap, AND LEGITIMATE copies of Windows XP!

Matt...

Windows Vista is a flawed OS, no one in China is going to want it when they can run XP, which is far more stable... for free.

Windows Vista is so horrible, that Microsoft is canceling it NEXT JUNE!

Thats right, June 2009, bye bye Vista!

The next version of Windows is set for release sometime in early 2010.

Windows 7, is what they're calling it, and its being designed specifically to replace Vista, and to get rid of all of Vista's problems that no one likes.

Ramoth, agreed. Still, it sounds like jumping through quite a few hoops...

Get a MAC losers

Windows 7, is Vista — Windows Weekly — http://twit.tv/ww79

...at least for an honest person.

"your all wasting you time", I suppose you're a winner and you never once wasted your time. That's cool.

Most of microsoft's efforts tend to only make legitimate consumer's experiences worse. For example I personally own Windows XP Professional, I still have the original box and everything for it. So why would I wish to download a pirated version of the same thing I already own a license to? Because their antipiracy countermeasures go awry, they seem to affect everyone but those with pirated copies. Kinda like when Vista's verification servers when down, legtimate users were locked in reduced functionality mode while the pirates go unscathed. Point is, antipiracy schemes only work if the users tried to install the OS as is with a fake key, all the pirated copies are already cracked, so kind of a wasted effort.

Dear Mr. Gates,
Please utterly destroy all machines who are using illegal copies of Microsoft software.

Thank you,
American Citizens against intellectual theft and rammen

Screw these big companies that strain all hardworking people from their money. I don't blame anyone that pirates software.

Franko...

Don't believe all of the Hype you read or hear, about Windows 7...

It was infact, in developement, as far back as 2000; and originally slated for a 2005 release!

However, they put it on hold and then launched Vista as an "interim, minor release"... which inherited some of the more advanced features of the, then, highly experimental Windows 7. That is why some people are out there claiming that Windows 7 is really Vista.

In fact this isn't entirely true. Visually, they may look similar. Because Vista took its visual looks from Windows 7. Just the same as Windows 98/2000, each took their visual looks from Windows 95.

Windows 7 however remained in the background, a secret project that Microsoft had been working on, even while they pushed out Vista!

If you want the facts about Windows 7; they're easily available on Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_7

It'll be an astonishingly advanced OS for the PC; supporting a wide range of newer technologies, including Touch Screen support!

Imagine not having to use that Mouse anymore to navigate your OS; presuming they do it right of course!

Okay, this is a double edged sword. Obviously, stealing is wrong. And that is what you are doing when you are using illegally obtained versions of Microsoft Windows.

Kudos to MS for wanting to protect their property. However, MS could be doing more to deter piracy to begin with. For example, When a retail box of Windows XP Professional still retails for about the same price as when it was first released, 7 years ago, I do believe that is ridiculous. Especially when some versions of Windows Vista are at the same price, or cheaper, with more features.

Here is my philosophy why MS won't disable those computers outright. Even though they are pirated versions of Windows, they are still versions Windows. The more people using Windows helps to spread the Windows name, and contributes to strengthening product loyalty. It's better, in MS's eyes, for people to use pirated versions of Windows, than to be using their competitors OS's (Mac OS, Linux, etc.)

HELLO, Microsoft makes billions in profits maybe they should stop charging so much for their software! That's why it gets pirated!

Steve, your words
"But if a PC is not running a genuine version of Windows XP, then how does Microsoft have the right to invade and change anything on a computer that doesn’t even use its software"

What do you mean by that? non-genuine version of Windows XP is still Microsoft product, it's altered/pirated MS software and the company has the right to punish those who steal the software.

OmEgBuLe, not able to afford Microsoft product is not a reason to pirate their software.
Otherwise, I am sure you will let me steal your car because i can't afford one.
If software is too expensive, you have plenty of free/cheaper alternatives to choose from. Stealing/pirating is not justified no matter what the price is.

The chinese prefer to stick with older copies of XP because some of them don't need activation on installation and easy to pirate. Wi
th Vista it's harder.

Gates, his vision, wanted a computer on every desktop.
Assured with; "We will not abandon you" - (unlike the rotten apple)
People felt secure, and the snowball gained, as it rolled down to hell.

Once the World was hooked, by businss use and habit
The effort went into protection of the monopolistic fortress.
Great innovations in spyware, thank you Microsoft.

I read all these and the one that sticks out is Franko.

It's always good to see someone so weird it makes me wonder how the heck the human race ever made it this far.

Stolen software should be tunred off, period. No black screen. Just off.
You cannot complain it costs too much, everything does these days. You either buy it or you dont.
If you stole it you should be in jail, not only having your software turned off.

Franko, yes Microsoft is huge. They could do better. But if you dont like them dont buy their products, ever. Get an apple.

Ramoth,

So, what you're saying is, Microsoft can't even manage to put out a decent OS after almost nine years of development?

Thanks for clearing that up!

Anyway, I think Dan in GA makes a valid point about the reason MS won't shut down illegal version of windows outright. To do so would be to alienate those users. Forget the fact that they are using illegal software, knowingly, or unknowingly, they are still using Windows.

The price of Windows XP needs to drop dramatically. After all, who wants to pay full retail for a 2001 vehicle in the year 2008 when there are newer, better offerings for the same price or cheaper. You have to at least admit, MS is greedy, and that attitude has greatly contributed to the pirating of their software.

I am not condoning piracy, but I think at the very least MS should ask themselves why this is happening.

Also, I understand that MS has spent an X ammount of dollars developing XP, and they want to make that money back, and some profit to go along with it. I am sure MS made that money back within the first 3 or 4 years of the release of XP, if not sooner. So, let's pass the saving back to the consumers, now.

[...] SciTechBlog: Blog Archive – Microsoft “hacking” computers in China? « – Blogs from CNN.com An anti-piracy campaign by Microsoft is having a difficult time in China. The company may face an investigation from local authorities who allege Microsoft is trying to “hack” consumer computers. [...]

If you buy a computer today, the majority of the cost of that computer actually goes to the OS which is ridiculous. Microsoft shouldn't be charging as much as they do for XP or Vista. Do a Google search and you'll find many experts both on computing and finance agree. China, which is a country that obviously very few of you have actually been to (unlike me) is full of people who are actually reasonable for the most part. They don't have ridiculous lawsuits like people suing restaurant because they spilled hot coffee on their lap. Also, China's mindset is not just China's. It's shared by just about all the asian countries in the Pacific Rim save for Japan, S. Korea and Taiwan. Goto Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, many parts of India, the average person cannot afford to purchase legit copy of XP at it's current price.

Should the Global Icon Pusher
be allowed to keep and expand it's profits ?
Stunt the growth of young minds

Between Intel Processors and Microsoft wanting to push XP onto
One Laptop per Child (OLPC) - Shackled, kiss of death ?
Turn off the only light in the home,
Microsoft courtesy black screen next ?

the black screen thing sounds sort of identical to Safe Mode... and when you're in safe mode, everything is magnified, and that really bothers me for some reason...

A lot of people have copies of Windows because it is overpriced. Does that make it right? No. Does the fact that Linux is comparable but free say a lot about the greed of Microsoft and their pricing? Yes.

It's often cheaper to buy the many other software products that run on Windows. Even people that pirate Windows will still buy other software packages, especially games. If less people use Windows, then there will be fewer sales on software for Windows. Thus Windows becomes less popular operating system with software developers who are already tired of being slaves to MS and it's unwillingness to share info to produce better software.

MS is going to sink itself into the ground. This anti-piracy temper tantrum route didn't work for the music or movie industry. It won't work for MS either.

Consumers do no pirate to enjoy themselves. Piracy is their way of saying that prices are too high. You can't shove a product down the throats of consumers and say take it or leave it. It just doesn't work. MS can either take the hint and lower prices or die off, either from piracy or unpopularity.

Support Linux! It's free, open, and safer. Microsoft is supporting it by every action it takes against consumers.

maybe if it werent for pirated copies MS could sell its software for any price and not necessarily cheaper.

Its not that MS allow pirated copies but it is the way that they go about flagging them or modifying them. For example you cant just come in my house without a warrant then you should not be able to make changes on my computer in my house without my agreement. If they can just go into someone's computer without their permission then perhaps it is alright for them to snoop around on anyones computer whether legit or not. which they do because they check to see if is legal or not. Much like someone digging around in your house to see if your products are legit. I am not that trusting to think that the snooper will not someday look at things I dont want them to.

Microsoft is not "just warning them." They are wrong for stealing copies, whether it is for economic, social or personal reasons.

Microsoft is slowly and consistently moving further and further towards their goal of control. They know that they can't disable millions of computers overnight. But what they can do is go after the more ridiculous (and not me) offenders, establishing precedence.

In Virginia it is a crime, punishable by jail, to cause a computer to malfunction. They are establishing that they have the right to cause their software (which is rally yours – you paid for it) to malfunction.

Punish the pirates. I have no problem with that. But where are the limits on what any software company can do? How many legit Microsoft customers have been told to pay up for what they already bought?

Microsoft makes unilateral international decisions because no one stops them. Have you as a single individual every tried to appeal a Microsoft error? Have you ever known someone who did? Even seen a news story about one success anywhere and anytime?

Justice is good. But it should go both ways.

MS is closed source, successful and without their product, I'd never have gotten into the IT industry. I owe my career choice to having access to their product (Always legally as well)

I do not wish to see them suffer thieves anymore than anyone else.

If I was choosing a solution to the loss of revenue, I'd force the update regardless of user config and make a pop up appear that freezes the system until a user clicks a button or inserts their CC details to legalize their copy.

Also, its worth a mention that the collection of this export revenue would close the trade deficit and generate tax money that clearly is needed in the US as anyone proposing tax cuts gets labeled as a loony by the moronic scare mongers.

A good pirated copy of XP will suffer no ill effects from this even with automatic updates on; mine doesn't. Microsoft is doomed to have trouble with piracy as long as they charge so much for their operating system.

I have no sympathy for China. They have stolen IP, both commercial and military, from the West for the past 50 years, including massive software piracy over the past 15ish years, and now they expect some sympathy? When the Chinese government does something.. no, anything.. about piracy in their country then perhaps some compromise might be justified.

Steve,

You miss the point. It IS THEIR PRODUCT that the pirating users are running. They are running pirated copies of XP. It is these pirated copies that are affected.

Ramoth,

So what you are really saying is, that after almost 9 years of development of Windows 7, 10 by the time it's released, that MS can't manage to put out a decent OS. Well, that explains Vista. Thanks for clearing that one up.

Yes, I am an XP fan. After being an early adopter of Vista within the first month of it's release, I was sorely disapointed. Though now, I do see that improvements have been made, I still prefer to stick with XP. It is tried and true. With the news that MS will be releasing Windows 7 in early 2010, to me that signifies the ammount of faith that MS has in Vista, which seems to be none if they are rolling out a new OS so soon afterwards.

Now, about piracy, yes, it is definately wrong. No bones about that. But, I do have to agree with Daniel in GA, regarding the reason MS won't shut down illegal copies of XP, and about about their contributing to thier own delima of piracy.

No, MS will not shut down illegal copies of XP for 3 reasons:

Not all users of pirated software realize that they are using pirated copies. Let's face it, for as many blatant rip-offs, there are copies that look legit. MS has no way of knowing who is who in that aspect, and doesn't want to risk alienating those users by rendering their computers unusable. That would be a huge negative associated with their product, and would force users to seek other, cheaper alternatives, such as Linux, or even switching to Mac OS (of which each of their releases retail for around $120. Why can't MS match those price points???)

Speaking of pricepoints, though you may not want to admit it, MS price points have contributed to the rise of piracy of it's own products. When you have an OS that was released in 2001, and the consumers are being asked to pay nearly the same prices in 2008, when there is a newer, more powerful OS at the same asking price of XP, and even cheaper with the Home Edition of Vista. That is like asking someone toady to pay full retail price of an automobile manufactured in 2001, when there are newer versions of that same model, with more bells and whistles. No one is going to want to do that. And the pirates enter the room...

Okay, I understand that MS spent an "X" ammount of dollars on the development and release of windows XP, and are entitled to make a profit. I am sure if someone does the research, you'll find that within the first three or four years of it's release, it made that money back, plus some.

Upon the relase of Vista, MS should have drastically reduced the price of XP. But, we didn't see that happen. It was a meager price drop. Also, with all the problems with Vista's launch, XP's demand remained high, while Vista was shunned. Instead of passing on a savings to consumers, MS decided to rake in more cash.

Okay, I know that the piracy of XP, and all other releases of Windows has historically been high. But so has MS's price points. Thta's not to say that they are asking to be pirated. That's just saying they seem to be oblivious to their role in it. At the risk of sounding repetitive, MS needs to focus on lowering their prices to that of the Mac OS, $129. If a company named after a piece of fruit, with such a small market share, can charge so little for their OS, MS should be able to do the same, even cheaper, because of their huge market share.

#1 Read all the postings and was amused and entertained by some.
#2 Do you guys realize that China is running one of your shipping ports.
That alone is scary.
#3 Theft is Theft, lets keep it simple.
#4 Franko I really think you need to get outside more for some fresh air, BUD you are losing it.
#5 Most thieves will tell you,to your face, that they are innocent . The jails are full of them.

Get offa my BlueScreen Planet of Death
Might is RighteousSoft
What part of Death do you not understand ??

Microsoft 'pirated' IBM when they were designing OS2 for the PC compatible – by essentially cornering the market and releasing Windows (a better product) at virtually the same time.

Microsoft also cornered, and 'pirated' the Internet Browser Market, The Gamer Market, attempted to corner and pirate the iPod market with the Zune...

Given the vast superiority of the Mac OS / Unix platforms over the XP and Vista editions ; Microsoft should be happy people still even want to copy their garbage OS.

Why not just have an advertising window pop up for illegal copies of XP – you need to target the underworld too.

Ha! I find the Chinese attitude ridiculous. Being a software developer I like to be paid for the effort I put into developing software and get respect for my IP rights. I think Microsoft should've been a lot harder on them.

And Franco, enough with the Microsoft-Sux-Linux-Rox BS. Linux is an operating system no doubt, but it's certainly far away from being intuitive to anyone who is not a code monkey.

Human, a criminal, kills and gets killed in return
Eye for an eye, just like in the Bible
MegaCorporations do not get killed in return - War Eagle supported
Are considered legal entities - with near infinite legal capabilities

Person who invented asphalt, the wheel
Are we slaves for infinity to them ?
Monopolistic, wasteful, low quality, excessive profits
Ready to sue the original glass window maker's descendants,
For copyight infringement ?

I find the this insane; they should be required to pay for the product if they wish to use it. The Chinese government is obviously not concerned with contaminated, poisonous, low quality or pirated products; just look at what they have saturated the market with. The idea of a lawsuit against Microsoft for protecting its own copyrights is absurd.

thornnnn,

Yes you can reinstall that copy of windows. I have done it hundreds of times on clients PCs. The worst you will have to do is call MS tech line, talk to a computer, tell it the code, tell it "Yes I reinstalled." "Yes this is the first time I have had to reinstall" "No i didn't change any major parts of the computer like the motherboard.".... And bam, it works fine.

Hell I have even taken old scrap computers with OEM MS stickers on them and moved that copy of windows to newly built machines that didn't have an OS.

Is it legal, yes... It does violate the OEM agreement as the motherboard is being "Switched". There is a difference in OEM and off the shelf windows too.. Off the shelf you can uninstall from a machine and install on any other, as many computers as you want, as long as it is only on 1 computer at a time. OEM is suppoused to stay with the computer till the junk yard, but as I said.. You can still move that copy to another PC.

If you can't figure out how to register windows, you don't need to be replacing your hard drive or loading windows at all.

Damn microsoft wants to monopolise everything, they should all go open source ...linux FTW

Why would Chinese people said that Microsoft is trying to hacked their computers, even though in truth they are trying to hacked computers here in United States; so misleading.

This makes you think are we next or have they always been "hacking" our computers but just more descretly remmember BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING

They are the kings of bootlegging and they don't want to pay. Shut them down Microsoft !!! I don't like the price of a Ferrari so i will steal it. That is the weakest arguement ever. Just take some of the home loans back as a punishment. We have no time for this crap. We buy enough of their stuff so they can invest into some of ours. Hey China : Stealing is Stealing !!!! Verdict : GUILTY

I remember reading a recent revisionist history book saying that long ago the West freely borrowed and brought home ideas, know-how, and technologies they found in their travels to the East. Gun powder, paper money, coal, eyeglass lenses, spaghetti noodles, and even using the stars for navigation, to name some. The East had no concept of “copyright” then (and even now some may argue). This revisionist history book called it a cultural transmission, not piracy.

Maybe the East draws a line somewhere like as long as they don’t take the roof on top of your heads, the wheels under your feet, the food on your table, or invade your country, then that’s not stealing. But when someone concocts a delicious General Tso’s Chicken recipe, they don’t go the way Colonel Sanders did and patent it - they share it. “Intellectual property” may be a purely Western concept and may be totally alien to them. (Indeed, “property” alone even without the "intellectual" is meaningless to a true communist - be it China or Russia of the past.)

I’m OK with making money out of ideas. I only know how to write poems and not plant vegetables so thank god I can finally eat.

But I agree completely with Vic, NY (I’m from NY, too ), MS should drop the prices of previous versions drastically. If we keep coming back to the analogy of cars and material stuff being stolen, then the same analogy of hoarding junk should apply. The only reason MS is keeping old junk and not giving them away is because they don’t take up physical space like old cars, old books, and old 8-track tapes, do. Otherwise, they’d probably hold a garage sale or give them away.

The only thing I can’t agree with Vic (and I really think I should) is I love Vista. This despite several serious shortcomings like it won’t run my MS Plus DME to rip my vinyls, it won’t sync with my old Axim X3, and it won’t support my TV card so I had to go out and buy a new one. I guess I love Vista because I just can’t get enough of Aero. In fact, my wife and I are attending an MS TechNet event tomorrow in Connecticut because they’re handing out free Vista Ultimates. Hey Vic, see you in Connecticut?

This need proper investigation

Fine Microsoft for finally cracking down on piracy of it's own software? People should be thankful it is just a black screen they'll be getting and not a complete disablement of their OS. If you pirate a copy of a product you have to pay for that is the definition of theft. Anyone running one of these pirated copies doesn't have a leg to stand on.

Franko sounds like a acid-tripping hippy stuck with a Commadore-64, composing acid induced rabble.

Obviously Franko,, you are out of touch with reality..

Why nobody is talking about price stiker 376 BUCK!!!! when you earn working on construction 46 CENTS AN HOUR????

This is a no brainer. Read the license agreement. Maybe if China paid their perspective employees a livable wage so that they could afford a licensed copy this would be less of an issue. Microsoft has a legal right to protect their product. Personally I don't care to hear the emotional dribble that uninformed users are passing as justification for theft.

how can they get away with this without some kind of penalty

Sorry Mike, that wage really sucks but Linux is free just download and you have yourself a operating system with all the goodies. I run a dual boot setup with XP and SUSE 11, eventually I can see the Linux surpassing Microsoft in time.
When the world puts its work together with open source, each new version gets better and easier even for the non code monkey.
It does make me laugh that the XP doesn't have a clue what is on the other side of that partition, and when I am in Linux , I can go into windows and take any picture or music out from XP. Yes, it is only a matter of time, but for now I enjoy either one.
Ps. Franco I understand what you are saying, but still, you got to mellow out allittle. Did I just say I understood Franco, heck I going outside for some fresh air.

Steve did you even read the article? This only effects real copies of windows software that have bogus athentication keys. Also only thoes windows programs that update there software from the microsoft updater. If you don't want this effecting your computer stop your computer from updating through microsoft. I am sure the updates are only ment for genuine authenticated microsoft products. Microsoft isn't sending anything to any ones computer its their computers that are requesting, downloading, and installing these updates. If you didn't know that your computer would auto update i ask how is your ignorance microsofts fault?

I can understand why people use pirated copies of XP. Maybe if it didnt cost almost as much as a new pc people wouldnt do it. I mean, $350. for a copy...come on now. I know alot of people who have a pirated version. They can do whatever they want but the truth is, no matter what they do there is a hacker out there that will crack there program. its not just XP but vista is easily cracked also. try making it more accessible to the general public and stop being greedy. microsoft is robbing everyone blind. They charge for everything, look at the 360 for instance. you can buy one for $200. but you cant do anything with it until you spend a hundred dollars on a 20gb hard drive. Thats even if the thing works when you buy it, but dont worry says bill gates because we will fix it for another $150. dollars. So hack away my friends, its because of them that us lower class people can even have access to it. Microsoft is greedy and they deserve to be pirated

Hmm, here is the main question, Microsoft is a mulit-billion dollar company, hasn't had major problems or setbacks (save for Vista lol) since it began, and has done nothing but skyrocket as a leading PC/App/OS/etc. developing company. Don't you think it's a little too peti for them to worry about the legality of what is on your PC?

So lets look at the situations.

Yes, Microsoft has a legal right to their systems, and when you install an illegal copy of Microsoft XP Pro, or any software developed by Microsoft that is for public sale then you are breaking that legal agreement. Lets all be happy that they haven't decided to take legal action on those who have un-licensed copies of XPPro/XPHome/etc. we might have had another Napster-like scare on our hands.

Now, does Microsoft have the right to look on PC's to see if they contain copies of illegaly downloaded XP? Well that's a question for the courts to decide because it MAY fall under the invasion of privacy. It all depends on how they do what they need to do. If you initiate an update, your computer is scanned to make sure you meet certain criteria to update and to see what needs to be updated, if you initiate then they more than likely have the right to do what they planned on doing. Now if they do not give the option to turn off automatic updates (which they do) or if you have the auto update off, and come home to find your computer was changed, that may be considered an "Invasion of Privacy". So that situation is a touchy subject.

Moving on to the price of the software, Microsoft is doing people with illegal copies a huge favor by not envokeing their legal right, saving you money on atourneys fees, court fees, and fines. So is it right to say "Oh its too expensive" or "Why pay when i can get it for free"? No, not really, cause getting it for free gives them the potential right to fine you for illegal use, costing you a whole bunch more.

I guess what it all comes down to is:
Your 100% aware that what you are getting is ILLEGAL and you still continue to do it. So don't complain when they want to stop you from STEALING their product. And be happy that they would just be doing something as minimal as blanking out your background with a reminder saying "Hey, c'mon now, go out and buy this program, please."

Why would anyone run a unlicensed copy of windows anyway.
XP Home $100. , XP Pro $149., XP Pro x 64 $189.. Linux – Free
Regardless of your preference, if your system is not updated on a regular basis you are an Idiot. You leave yourself open to any attack from Malware, Virus. and Hacking attempts. You are one of the people that are helping the bad guys reap havoc on the web.
If your OS is not getting updates you stand to lose a lot more than what we are quibbling about here. But then again you deserve to have your identity taken from your out of date computer . DUUH. Trouble is that the Idiot owners computer turn into bot controlled machines and the battle for control of the web continues on.

If China wants to play dumb so be it. They will just end up being a big target for the black list guys. LOL

Last of all I would like anyone to tell me of one program out there except OS programs that will give you updates for free for the last 7 years or til 2014 if I remember it right, like Microsoft is doing with XP.

Every other outfit that is selling you programs is on a yearly license basis or maybe 2 years. Sure you can get the freeware but it's not their best stuff. When the bad guys make the web put restrictions on where we can surf then the Idiots win. This is a serious problem when people are sleeping behind the keyboard.

Who gives a dam* about China now. I wanta see this Steve character on Oprah, explaining just what kind of crack he's been smoking. Geeze, dude, read the article in it's entirety next time before you run off. If any one was in doubt about your intelligence, you just opened your mouth and proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that you're an idiot.

China thinks that we, the rest of the world, owe them a break. This is not true. I have paid for every peice of software that I own and use. No one in any part of the world has the right to "not pay" for anything that they find of use where a fee or charge is incurred.

What comes next? Free internet service, free electricity, free gasoline, free housing? What about free everything... will that be good enough?

I am apalled that anyone will try to get something for nothing. When it comes to software, it is time to pay & that includes EVERYONE.

Hardware pricing has dropped heavily but software is what really makes computers run & also allows us to think or create a better home & worklife.

I suggest turning off internet access to all computer systems in the world that do not pay. That will surely ensure that folks willing to pay, get to play.

Enough said.

@ your all wasting your time
"your all wasting you time October 31st, 2008 12:36 pm ET
Get a MAC losers"

Isn't that supposed to be: Losers get a MAC

Microsoft and Norton Anti-virus are the biggest spywares out there. They constantly scan your computers and sent it back to their company. They don't even ask for your permission. As soon as you boot up your CPU, and connect to the internet, Microsoft and Norton start transmitting your personal information back to to their company.

You need to read more IT news articles Chris and spend less time watching afternoon soaps and Oprah. Unlicensed systems do not get updates, correct. No updates means out of date system and out of date computers just add to the places that viruses can roam and spread. Putting even more problems out into the web. Besides keeping the pirating to a minimum they are fully aware as are many anti virus companies that for the greater good every machine should be able to update quickly.
Since China seems to be behind the times like Chris this is a concern for many companies.

only in china can you be a thief and then decry the shop owner for trying to protect their property.

Microsoft is sabotaging it's user base. Scuttling the cash boat.
Quick short term profit attempt, long term guaranteed death.

Monopoly is in device drivers. Office suites bring lots of revenue.
Chase the learners to Linux, - Eating Babies, as Bible described.

Franko, you're quite the poet. Deranged, but unique. Steve (not Steve from Illinois), God bless that you have the right to say what you think.

I can't think of anything China has not copied (stolen). Software. Music. ATVs and cars. Manufacturing technology- oh, wait, we gave that to them. Not just our stuff- they have either been given or stolen IP from every industrialized country. Hate to say it guys, but we enabled this beast, in the quest for profitability. That's why your DVD player costs $40, not $200. They operate under a different morality, and take advantage of the situation because they can. They want some of that pie that their repressive government kept them from for so long, and are only now getting the clue that if they want to play globally, they have to adopt a global rule set.

For those illegal OS installs, Microsoft has every right to do more than turn the screens black, and China has no right whatsoever to demand restitution. Signs that the dark ages are still being kept alive. Perhaps it's all the melamine in that lawyer's coffee.

Buy American, if you can.

Microsoft understands market pricing, but it sounds like (I have no proof) they didn't get it right everywhere. Maybe they should refigure their pricing scheme. Cheaper is better than zero, and being there is better than not.

I've been to China quite a few times. The Chinese people are wonderful and I want to see their society thrive. But with the U.S. no longer being able to compete in the global marketplace when it comes to (most) manufactured goods, I am encouraged by Microsoft's actions. Going forward, the U.S. must be ruthless when it comes to copyright and intellectual property protection. It's all we've got left. Shame on you China.

While I can understand MS getting 'annoyed' at the situation, and I can grasp that a lot of the commenters here feel that China is "the bad guy", one thing I would ask each and every one of you is this: What if the next version of Windows was going to cost you $1500? Would you still save up and buy it, or would you get a pirated version for $20 off the store down on the corner?

So stop with the "They are bad! They should buy it like everyone else!"...if you only made $4000 US a year and a copy of XP would cost you $375, and you had pirated versions readily available, I'd be you would use a pirated version to. Or, if you make $25,000 per year, would you pay $2000 for a copy of Windows XP?

Notice at the end where it says Experienced users just disable the auto update?

Anyone not smart enough to do this deserves to be hacked!

And do you notice it says microsoft doesnt block any programs from running even if they detect a pirate copy, it simply gives them a suggestion to buy a legit copy? Thats pretty nice by my standards. If someone was stealing my product, I'd completely nuke thier computer and have them fined and arrested. If anything these people should be thanking Microsoft.

Sure, Microsoft is a huge evil multinational corporation. But they didnt get there by letting people steal from them and no successful business would, so as anti-globalization as i am, ive got to agree with them on this one.

China is the biggest source of PIRATED software & videos.

And they have the nerve to complain ?

Maybe they make the CD's and DVD's from MELAMINE ?

MS’s solution should be easy to thwart, too, I right? I haven’t seen it but all one has to do would be to write a program that displays a .jpg in a window that covers a portion of the screen with z-order fixed at bottom-most, I think.

But I still think the main gripe is Windows’ high price.

I know Nintendo is a capitalist like any other, but being a parent, I’m of the opinion that the company’s pricing is just right. No, make that more than just right it makes me ecstatic. Why Nintendo doesn’t take advantage of supply and demand - after seeing lines of people months if not years after product launches of the N64 and GBA they did it again with the Wii and then the Wii Fit - is beyond me.

To be honest I don’t know if that or any of the following would be fair comparisons - I’m sure there’s a boatload of complications built in like corporate licensing has to be priced just so that corporations don’t buy at Best Buy instead and know that with the contracts they sign they get the next OS upgrade free guaranteed and then somehow in the same pricing scheme work the Sam’s Club shopper in and also corporations wouldn’t embrace Vista right away (if at all) and upgrade hundreds of PCs so XP will have to remain MS’s cash cow even though it has been slotted for obsolescence etc. - but MS over the years has managed to price Windows (full of problems at product launch at that) high when the consumer is slowly being conditioned to everything else in technology - DVD players, digital cameras, portable storage, plasma TVs - rocketing in features and plummeting in price. It’s as if MS has convinced us that the development of Windows is as important a research as a cure for cancer and so the high cost of medicine and Windows should go hand in hand. OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit. But Americans go to Canada to buy their prescription medicine and the Chinese pirate XP.

Nintendo’s is just one business model. Linux’s is another. And then there’s AVG’s somewhere in between that gives away its software to homeowners but charges for commercial use.

Will MS adopt any other business model? I doubt it. They have the right to position their products any way they want including being not quite affordable to everyone perhaps to maintain an air of, um, quality. True, the cost of developing Windows must be high (although I agree they should recover it in 3-4 years). But where there’s a deal to be had people will naturally flock to it because regardless of whether the need is real or merely perceived the word “expensive” has already been embedded into their minds. It just happens that MS’s is an expensive product that one need not break a shop window to steal.

What is Mega$oft really up to ?
Shooting itself in the foot, blowing it's brains out ?
HariKari; Raise quartely profits, before the collapse,
So Ballmer and Butthead can bail out ?

Invade your privacy to make $$$, the mandate of Google$oft
I can understand; Sell out your dissident users, just $$$

If $tupid$oft had any brains, it would have simply put an ad
Not a guilty are you for being poor. The original $in.

Franko, you're a poet...I salute you, though I may not agree with you all the time.

As to the Nuke-and-Pave approach to software protection, suggesting it be practiced in this case by MS (vis-a-vis HD wipes, BIOS locks, BSoD, etc) displays a profound lack of understanding both of what MS is really trying to do here, as well as what they can get away with.

They don't want ANYONE to stop using Vista, not even pirates. This piddly attempt at introducing nag-ware into Vista will be circumvented in short order, and they know it. They probably won't even bother to pop up their little gotcha message in a language that Chinese users can read.

This is a PR stunt, insofar as it is related to China, but it is in reality a non too subtle message to WESTERN users and the industry in general that "MS is watching, and we are displeased". They know perfectly well that the folks who pirate their software are going to keep right on doing it, especially in countries with weak intellectual property protection.

In the US, this move opens up EXPORTERS (i.e p2p file sharers and mass production pirates) to new legal problems under H.R. 4279. The nag-ware message is visible proof that a given registration code for MS software is "Unauthorized". The next step would be a simple record of the IP the unauthorized software is requesting updates from.

They CAN'T do anything to actually disable all those pirated copies, for a variety of legal and financial reasons. Physically of course, I'm sure they could BSoD every Vista box with a network connection and auto-updates if they wanted to, but it will never happen.

Also, to clear up a few apparent misunderstandings of what is really being stolen here...

First, pirating media or software, (morality aside), is NOT the same as breaking into my house and stealing my diamond necklace. It's more like walking into my dog-kennel, scraping some skin cells off my border collie, growing one of your own, and then using it to herd your sheep instead of paying me to sell you a puppy.

Second, when people pirate Vista, they are really pirating a registration code. MS is perfectly happy to have a zillion complete copies of Vista out there floating around...it saves them the cost of packaging and shipping. All they really want to control are the codes.

Third, No one "owns' or 'pays for' a copy of a commercial software application or OS. You are paying for permission to us a registration code to activate a piece of software. Then you are agreeing to do exactly what the publisher will allow you to do with the software, and NOTHING more. Take a look at Milton Friedmans definition of a monopoly, and keep it in mind next time you feel like accusing MS, or any software publisher, of that particular sin...

"A Monopoly exists when a specific individual or enterprise has sufficient control over a particular product or service to determine significantly the terms on which other individuals shall have access to it."

If this were Chinese software being stolen by American businesses and American consumers China would be demanding criminal prosecutions.

Large countries need to stop acting like they are above the law.

I will buy a legit copy of Windows if you sign me to a 4 year contract worth $100 million

WHO CARES! MICROCRAP MAKING ENOUGH MONEY AS IS! SO STOP YOUR BITCHING MICROCRAP.

China needs to stop being such a criminal enterprise

Melamine in food, piracy of merchandise and software,

China is not a poor country it just keeps it people poor so it's power elite can drive the latest Mercedes and eat shark fin soup and black bear paws.

Why we allow this criminal country to manufacture so many of our goods is beyond me...oh wait I know Capitali$m!

Microsoft would be correct if it shut down computers running illegal software entirely...Folks, they own windows.

For those of you with the needs to post with overabundant dollar signs and substituting S's for them, and are downplaying Microsoft. What OS are you using on the computer you posted this on?

There is nothing wrong with being a monopoly, especially when the consumers (yes, you are the consumer) make it that way. There are other companies out there, like Apple, who attempt to out-sell Microsoft, but cannot, because the consumer would rather purchase Windows. So those of you who are complaining about "MegaSoft", you were the ones that gave the power to them in the first place, you and corporations world-wide, who only provide a lesser fraction of money from licenses.

To the Chinese government situation, I'd do much worse, I'd verify if it were Genuine or not, then have a specialized database where they can pull "Auto Updates" which are chock full of delicious Trojan viruses, so they CAN pull information that they are "supposedly" pulling now. China is a disgusting country and its Communist government is a disgrace. The fact that they are even trying to sue a company from which it is stealing for taking measures against them completely blows my mind, and confirms, at the same time, that they are the moronic country that I have always pictured them as.

Heh. Franko, you're killing me. Keep it up, dude. Your comments are the only reason I didn't stop reading a couple of yards of scrolling back. Someday I hope I'm rich enough to retire and post increasingly odd comments on news threads.
M

"should....consider the affordabiltiy of Chinese consumers..."
LOL is he proposing some sort of knock-down swap for Microsoft products?

Well since I always have to do this... I helped Obama and followed the correct position now its only on to the full moon sun and eye in the triangle alignment protection ritual hopefully... But anyway on these Bali Bombing killings, know that side is going to be pissed and expect a backlash somewhere sure there is chatter in the terror cells, now to iraq pull them out send to afgan whoop some ass take some names leave and start looking at Africa and the congo, seriously think about it.... Also Tell Colbert I haven't been able to watch him in a couple months... And oh yeah!!!!! China hacked U.S and Russia, they are perfecting it easier for them our alphabet is 26 symbols... Also I think Microsoft is in the right because China is planning something... I mean think Russia... Oh yeah Russia they are gonna send all those millions of families here, oh yeah... Check up on your history... That guy who runs China is no joke...

wow maybe its time we ditched microsoft and went with a company that trusts its consumers like say apple inc. its a superior product anyway much of the world is finding that out now

The Fraud of Monpolistic Control produces not only poverty,
but also viruses, invasions of privacy, corpses of good products
Jihads, terrorists, suicide bombers; Ugly MegaSoft go home ?

Oil Fraud and monopolistic corruption, look at the proof, the price chart - World Poverty – Part 2 of 4 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anfwy9diy94&feature=related

Chinese steal more than that, Zippo, all software, clothing lines etc. Even in the casinos! And we are too soft to do anything about it. Its our own fault as a Government. Obama and his administration will stop this nonsense and soon.

In China, it is not illegal to copy a Xp disc and use it. The US patents and Copyrights are null and void there. So for them to do this, is just to make extra money. (Which is understandable, but frustrating for honest customers)

Thanks to Microsoft a lot more open source users will be joining our community.

Honestly I think that Mircrosoft should terminate all sales in China and focus on improving their products...but of course there's those that will bitch and whine bout it...

Optimized cash flow, for the short term, to the MegaSoft owners
Double the food to belching and burping pigs, increase in happiness ?

Corporations, monopolistic legal entities, government fraud supported
Human importance self emerges,
Exaggerated corporation importance - a fraud !

Steve:

Microsoft is the provider of the software – it is their product. The users have simply stolen it; many with the help of local PC companies. Now these same thieves want to steal the updates.

At the same time, it seems like poor marketing to maintain the price so high. Surely much of the market will shift to Linux and Open Office and hasten the demise of windows and office.

A desktop should be free (open source)

Use LINUX. I run Ubuntu(a free os) with WINE(a free windows alternative)

Wine runs programs that run on windows. Its not an emulator though.

Firefox even works with linux Ubuntu.

If Linux was the first desktop EVERYONE would of been forced to learn it caz its the only thing available back then. But sad to say Micro$oft came first with windows.

Just use it . Trust me you will not ever go back to windows because this Ubuntu with WINE runs everything windows can and most of all its unhackable!

China needs to stop pretending like it has so much money, when in fact , China's illusion of wealth is based upon bad government priorities.... They need to focus less on the cost of a legitimate Windows program and focus more on feeding their citizens and combating AIDS....

If their citizens can't afford Windows then maybe they should try cheaper alternative programs that are legal. And if Microsoft lowers the cost of Windows for the Chinese then I guarantee bankruptcy for Microsoft....

"it is their product. The users have simply stolen it; ."
- Imaginary entity, produces real fraud, a thief of global human resources and monopolistic taxes, claims ownership ?

"Now these same thieves want to steal the updates"
- That is a hook, cash flow optimized by faulty design
- Did not work for US car companies, - MegaSoft next bailout ?

Can somebody explain to me just what it is that Mircrosoft is protecting computer users from with this spyware that should be illegal? What is it that the counterfeit software will do that will harm the end user if it doesn't have the wga?

Sorry Joe, but Windows was NOT first....

...Amiga and Macintoshes were ahead of Windows.

...Too bad Commodore couldn't stay afloat finacially....

Steve what are you talking about? It is a pirated windows xp. It isn't some other os with an xp themed skin, if it was how do you think they are able to get windows only compatible software to run on it?

MegaSoft advertised it's frienlieness, openess, to software developers
Then cut their throaths, by cheating with secret internal API calls
Secret Trap Doors, (not Windows), to keep the competition out
Long list of legally mauled, misled, frauded, think LinDows

Live by cheating. Die by cheating
While butthead and baldhead count their billions
Ism of capital gone wild - are you not important ?

Sounds like China wants Microsoft to treat them like America has treated illegal aliens. Now that they have it, grant them amenisty...

Piracy is illegal and wrong, however, companies that price their software outside of the range of the consumers they sell to make piracy more attractive. Software like photoshop that has a $500 upgrade price every single year have to use draconian anti-piracy measures to keep people from sharing copies. Then, you can buy $20 OEM copies from Eastern Europe online.

I think some of these companies might actually become more profitable if they lowered the price of their software.

Maybe if they spent more time creating a better operating system for us paying customers, then their reputation in western countries and Europe would be repaired. Forget XP Pro. Vista is actually a great operating system going forward, it just has terrible backwards compatibility issues. Their piracy protection for Vista and future operating systems will improve and hopefully prevent such mass infractions in the future. Why not also just improve the online activation service that they control on their web servers and prevent future installations of the XP copies? No, instead they try to kill millions of PCs in China and destroy a major market for other PC software companies. God forbid that legitimate customers in China (millions?) get scarred and turn to Mac to nurse their wounds.

Peace.

go pirates!! argghhh. and mac blows as does Wikianything

Oh noo, black background! I find it hard to believe that anybody with a pirated copy of xp actually cares about this. If software runs the same way, nobody's going to care that their desktop is black. And the background will go back to black after an hour if it's changed? Okay, well it would take about two minutes to write a short little script that would just change the background back to the desired one, say, every 61 minutes. Or even every 60 minutes and 1 second. Waaaah.

The one circumstance where I could see this being useful is if somehow a person has a version of xp that isn't genuine and is unaware of that fact.

But honestly, if somebody really wants free xp, they don't have to pirate it. You only have to know somebody with an xp corporate disc and a blank CD. Best of all, corporate disc copy in hand, guess whose friends all have free xp too?

I eat babies and I know that piracy is wrong, but what microsoft is doing is really lame. boo hoo I have a black screen and a sign that says I'm evil, so fricking what.

I think microsoft is wasting its time, not only that but they are acting like the little 9 yr. olds that talk trash on CoD4. and frankly microsoft stands out as one of the highest ranking computer providers but whine to much unlike mac which is basically the same but has a diffrent interface....id still stick with PC though.

Well good thing I use Ubuntu and pay nothing for a product that does everything I want plus more.

Good for China. If only the people in this country had that kind of balls. We could put Microsoft in it's place.

Anybody backing China over Microsoft is communist and un-american. Microsoft may be scumbags, but they're OUR scumbags, and China more or less owns this country as it is. Microsoft shouldn't have to pay for what they should be getting paid for.

The idea that China is somehow strange for thinking that its consumers should be given leniency given the high percentage of pirated copies is not exactly that unusual. Perhaps it is unspoken, but this is largely the principle already in place in the United States that prevents our myriad software pirates from getting hit with huge fines and/or criminal charges.

"Microsoft “hacking”" ??
Worse than that - look at the picture in the article above

Zombie Bubbleheads, MonoSoft logo imprinted
Phoning home for orders, spying for the new world order

Gates and Baldhead have license to perform brain surgery ?

....nothing like complaining that the software that you stole should be protected by consumer advocacy. Doesn't being a consumer mean that you actually buy the product? If you don't like Windows, use Linux, it's free. If you want Windows, pay up! The Chinese are notorious for reverse engineering auto designs and stealing techology, this isn't new for them.

What about those that unknowingly purchased a pirated copy of XP. The pirated packaging looks as original as Microsoft's. Also what if they paid some tech guy, to install what they thought was genuine XP.

If you paid someone for a computer that didn't belong to them, and you didn't know, and the police come and take it from you. Wouldn't you be upset. Now their anger is misplaced, it shouldn't be at MS, but whoever they got pirated copies from.

I already use a "black" background, so I wouldn't notice the difference.

And $395 for XP pro is way , way , way out of line.

Buy an OEM version for maybe $100.

Microsoft has no gonads, they should have used an American flag for the background instead of just a black one. I bet the fine the lawyer asked for then would have been 2 Billion. Get this straight, the Chinese are not our friends, they are our trading partners and they're cheating. Most likely with government backing (why should their citizens pay money to the US when they can get it cheap and the money stay in China) or at least tacit approval. I think Microsoft showed great restraint in such a soft warning, I would have sent a program to wipe the hard drive when a illigal copy tried to update (but that's just me I don't like thieves) but they don't want to alienate such a large market. It's the Chinese government here that is the problem, not the Chinese people.

Blah,..
Torrent sites already have a patch to counter this M$ move.
It's no biggy.

They should have just used one of the open source distributions of linux, then they wouldn't have to worry about whether or not their copy of Windows was legitimate or not nor would they have the concerns of how much the OS cost.

"Microsoft has no gonads, they should have used an American flag"
Legal entity, waving public US identifiable parts, that it does not own.
Desecrating the American flag - inviting ridicule, hatred, and trouble
Motivating roadside, and suicide bombs
Protection of capital more important than the poor US kidnapped tourist

$300+ for the only quality product Microsuck ever released – and still not worth a single penny.

Switch to Mac.

If Microsoft had balls, they would add some extras to the pirated versions. We get the Blue screen of death here after paying. Maybe give it to them every 15minutes and have the speakers blast some random static.
Then again, I am all for them crippling the networks and erasing everything from the hard drives.

Franko you crack me up too. I can't help but think you picked your name as short for Frankenstein because of your poetry's grotesqueness . Let me see if I can do something more grotesque...

When you're on vacation
and you run out of dough
with no other option
where do you go?

Chinatown!

Okay, I keep reading stuff about "Why am I not supprised microsoft is getting this crap from china", but we realy have no room to complain. Exuse my language, but America is pretty much China's bitch right now. We owe them BILLIONS of dollars, and they have chosen to keep lending to us! They can call our card at any moment, and microsoft is about to piss them off. I am not disputing microsoft's rights to do what they are doing, but they are gonna screw america over if they keep it up. It's obvious this is a warning from china to back off.

Sorry for the double post, but wiping the hardrive WOULD be illegal on Microsoft's part.

Chinese have the most extensive cousine
More than just truffles, noodles, and escargot
Boiled alive crabs and cats, nests stolen from the birds
Even dishes of private parts of animals
Eat a whole elephant bone ? cannot, ask for a giant sized doggie bag ?

Lucky for us, Chinese are civilized.
Do not boil alive the War Eagles lost tourists
Do not collapse US economy
Situation is different in the istans - Worry about that.

Good thing I'm not the only one who isn't politically - and poetically - incorrect

Oops, Mr./Ms. Moderator, can you still correct my typo? It should have been "is" not "isn't". Thank you.

China will catch and boil in oil, the imaginary infallibility of the SoftWar
Serve it back, without copyright restrictions; tofoo, rice and ginseng