http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20071204/025010.shtml

Quote :

"If Microsoft's WGA Is So Successful... Why Change It So Completely? from the not-quite-so-successful,-huh? dept Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage program has been nothing if not controversial. The anti-piracy system tries to determine if you're using an unauthorized version of Windows, which it will then disable. That works great for Microsoft if it's actually catching unauthorized copies -- but the problem is that it was catching an awful lot of legitimate users at the same time, causing plenty of damage in the process. However, Microsoft has continued to stand by WGA, and just last week the Associated Press ran an article highlighting what a huge success WGA has been, not only in slowing piracy, but in encouraging others that similar means could be useful in slowing piracy elsewhere. Perhaps that article was a bit premature. The Associated Press is now running a new article about some fairly significant changes that Microsoft is making to WGA, including that it will no longer disable copies of Windows that do not pass the WGA test. Instead, it will just make those copies annoying, by making the wallpaper black and putting a white notice on the screen alerting the user to the fact that his or her copy is unauthorized. Every time the user logs in and once an hour a reminder will pop up, asking the user to buy a legitimate copy. However, it will continue to work. And, if a user does decide to buy a legit copy, he or she will get a 50% discount... meaning that if you want to buy a legit copy, you're now better off pirating a version and then buying a legit replacement. So, for all that talk of how successful WGA has been, it appears that the collateral damage of effectively bricking many computers simply wasn't worth it. Those rushing to implement similar solutions to WGA after last week's article may want to think again."

http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1005

Quote :

"Microsoft is disabling two of the most common venues via which partners attack Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008: the “OEM BIOS exploit,” which involves pirates modifying system files on OEM-pre-installed copies of Vista, as well as and the “Grace Timer exploit,” via which pirates reset the “grace time” limit between installation and activation"

as far as right now, this is all heresay, but funny if implemented

12/4/2007 6:43:20 PM

I've been to MS's "get XP for a discount if you have a pirated copy" website, and there are a lot of restrictions as to who can take advantage of this deal.

I think it had to be purchased from someone, and the CD had to have a fake hologram on it, at which point you had to mail it in to MS. You can't just go download it on Bittorrent and get the discount.

12/4/2007 6:51:07 PM

^that program was scrapped mid-2006 because it proved to be too much of a hassle for customers, i believe now they email a key within 24 hours or so

12/4/2007 6:58:28 PM

that's pretty cool then

12/4/2007 7:31:52 PM

for 50% off, i might consider buying vista








OH WAIT, NEVERMIND.

12/4/2007 7:37:59 PM

so if you pirate shit, you get a discount?

wat

12/4/2007 10:13:54 PM