How Microsoft Catches Windows Pirates

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How Microsoft Catches Windows Pirates

It's no secret that Windows is one of the most pirated pieces of software in the entire world, and no matter how hard Microsoft struggles, millions of users out there are still running the operating system without a genuine license.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/How-...pd_bottombubble&utm_campaign=spd_bottombubble


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Microsoft Now Hunting Down Windows 7 Pirates Using Their IP Addresses


Microsoft continues the fight against those who use its software without a license, and this week the company has filed a lawsuit at a district court in Seattle, claiming that a Verizon customer has activated hundreds of apps that are very likely to be pirated.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Micr...Pirates-Using-Their-IP-Addresses-480279.shtml
 
I am surprised by the China figure of 9 out of 10 running pirated software but can see why people pirate the software.
For years Microsoft has abused its position and pretty much runs a monopoly.
Apart from the hard core how many pc's actually operate on anything other than windows.

I only ever get a valid license if buying a new pc the rest of the time it's unofficial updates.

Take windows 10 it's on free upgrade once released but pretty much that's certain to be an annual license.
Then millions of pc's will have a windows package they thought was a free upgrade only to be told it's now chargeable.
 
Looks like windows and the upgrades might be free after all


Microsoft Official Confirms “Windows 10 Is the Last Version of Windows”

With Windows 10, Microsoft’s going to change pretty much everything about its Windows model, so in addition to offering the operating free of charge to previous Windows users and switching to a continuous update process rather than a monthly cycle, the company is also planning to change its approach to new releases.

Jerry Nixon, a Microsoft Developer Evangelist, said at the Ignite conference in Chicago that Windows 10 “is the last version of Windows, so we’re always working on Windows 10.”

While his statement seems to be hiding lots of untold details about Windows 10, it’s really easy to understand the message, given the fact that plenty of information on Microsoft’s new approach has already been leaked to the web.

Large updates instead of stand-alone releases

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Micr...0-Is-the-Last-Version-of-Windows-480446.shtml
 
Microsoft, Google, ISPs Join Forces for New Piracy Crackdown

Microsoft has always been one of the companies that tried to fight against online piracy, pretty much because its software is among the most pirated in the entire world, so the Redmond-based tech giant has recently signed an MoU with many other companies and the anti-piracy organization Rights Alliance to fight online IP infringement.

The new agreement, which also involves big names such as Google and several large Internet service providers, was proposed by the Ministry of Culture in Denmark and calls for all companies not only to fight against piracy online but also to work together to reduce the financial damages caused by such practices.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Micr...-Forces-for-New-Piracy-Crackdown-480905.shtml
 
The issue of piracy for Microsoft

Microsoft, in particular, has a very hard time fighting piracy, and the company’s own Windows and Office software solution have been among the most pirated products in the world in the last decade.

Recently, the company has managed to track down a Windows pirate who tried to activate hundreds of copies of the operating system from the same IP, so it has started legal action to prevent similar cases in the future and to ask for damages.

Similar legal disputes are taking place in many locations across the world, but Microsoft still has a hard time fighting piracy, especially in some certain markets such as China.

Steve Ballmer, former Microsoft CEO, said that 9 out of 10 Windows copies in China were pirated, emphasizing that convincing users to switch to genuine Windows and working with authorities to promote the use of legal software was mostly impossible.

Right now, the best way to address piracy is to develop software that’s harder to crack, and Microsoft is believed to be working on such technology for Windows 10, but only time will tell whether or not the new operating system is indeed the kind of software that everyone needs to buy.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Micr...-Forces-for-New-Piracy-Crackdown-480905.shtml
 
Genuine Windows and Windows 10

This week we shared more details about Windows 10 “editions.” Today, I thought I would provide answers to some questions we’ve received regarding how this will work for Genuine vs. Non-Genuine Windows.

With Windows 10, we have extended an offer to our Genuine Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 customers to upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Once a customer upgrades, they will continue to receive ongoing Windows innovation and security updates for free, for the supported lifetime of that device.

When we can’t verify that Windows is properly installed, licensed, and not tampered with, we create a desktop watermark to notify the user. If you ever encounter this watermark on a new machine, I encourage you to return the device immediately to the retailer from whom you purchased it and request a Genuine Windows device. Non-Genuine Windows has a high risk of malware, fraud, public exposure of your personal information, and a higher risk for poor performance or feature malfunctions. Non-Genuine Windows is not supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner.

Microsoft and our OEM partners know that many consumers are unwitting victims of piracy, and with Windows 10, we would like all of our customers to move forward with us together. While our free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 will not apply to Non-Genuine Windows devices, and as we’ve always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a Non-Genuine state. In addition, in partnership with some of our valued OEM partners, we are planning very attractive Windows 10 upgrade offers for their customers running one of their older devices in a Non-Genuine state. Please stay tuned to learn more from our partners on the specifics of their offers.

Terry

Genuine Windows and Windows 10
 
Microsoft clarifies what happens if you upgrade a non-genuine install to Windows 10

During the past few weeks, there has been some confusion about what happens if you upgrade a non-genuine version of Windows to Windows 10. In a new post today by Terry Myerson, he clarifies what happens in this scenario.

If you have a non-genuine version of Windows and you upgrade to Windows 10, there will be a watermark placed on your desktop.……
Further, the company is saying that they are planning on offering "very attractive Windows 10 upgrade offers" for those who have non-genuine version of Windows too.

So, if you fall into the camp of your Windows build not being a genuine install, be prepared for a watermark to show up on the desktop if you upgrade.

One area Microsoft has not yet clarified is if you are part of the Insider program and upgraded a non-genuine build to the new OS, if you will still see this watermark.

Microsoft clarifies what happens if you upgrade a non-genuine install to Windows 10
 
Microsoft reiterates no Windows 10 free upgrade for Non-Genuine users

Microsoft is attempting to clarify its policy, one more time, regarding whether Non-Genuine Windows users will get a free Windows 10 update.

The definitive statement is in: Microsoft will not be offering consumers who are running Non-Genuine versions of Windows 7 and 8.1 a free upgrade to Windows 10 for the first year the operating system is available.

A May 15 blog post on "Genuine Windows and Windows 10" from Microsoft Operating System Group Chief Terry Myerson stated the policy in the least ambiguous language Microsoft has used yet in explaining the situation.

Back in March, following a Reuters report claiming that Myerson said Microsoft would offer those running Non-Genuine Windows the opportunity to upgrade to Windows 10 in the first year for free, Microsoft execs were working overtime to clarify what they claimed was a misunderstanding of the company's stance.

The one still somewhat squishy statement in today's blog post about Genuine vs. Non-Genuine Windows offers is this:

"While our free offer to upgrade to Windows 10 will not apply to Non-Genuine Windows devices, and as we've always done, we will continue to offer Windows 10 to customers running devices in a Non-Genuine state."

This could possibly mean Microsoft will allow these users to move to a Non-Genuine Windows 10 version for free -- one that has a specific watermark and continues to nag them regularly about running a non-Genuine copy.

It might also mean -- or alternatively mean -- that Microsoft will be sending the same "Windows 10 is now available" notifications to Non-Genuine Windows 7 and 8 users that Genuine users will see. These notifications are designed to try to make plainer to existing users when and how they can move to Windows 10.

Microsoft reiterates no Windows 10 free upgrade for Non-Genuine users | ZDNet
 
For those that are affected by this, next time you see a car boot sale don’t just pass by, go in and find yourself a broken laptop with a windows 7 product key still intact on the bottom of it, you might just need it.

Don’t forget new laptops no longer come with a Certificate of Authenticity attached to the bottom. manufacturers have worked with Microsoft to embed the product key directly into the BIOS.
 

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Are you a pirate?

If you’re a pirate, it might be one of the reasons you’re not getting any free upgrade reservation apps. Microsoft says that, if your device is not running genuine Windows, you need to either provide a valid license or wait until Windows 10 becomes available and only then purchase the new operating system to upgrade to a genuine copy.

To set things clear, no, pirates won’t be getting any free upgrade to Windows 10, and their machines could actually get the upgrade, but without a license. This means that, once they install Windows 10, they can use it for a limited time before being forced to purchase a product key and activate their copy of the operating system.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Why-...ndows-10-Upgrade-Reservation-App-483838.shtml
 
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