MS To Scan Win7 Every 90 Days For Piracy

[crazypenguin]

Piracy is rampant. Hackers will continue to steal software, but those who support them by buying counterfeit versions via torrent sites are the targets here. They're thieves just like the hackers.

As I have already stated I do not condone software piracy. But every method (activation, WGA) MS has tried so far has not stopped illegal pirating of software.

And the concern TheArgonaut pointed out is a valid concern.

In Lauren Weinstein's Blog where he talks about similar issues, "Who Owns Your PC? New Anti-Piracy Windows 7 Update "Phones Home" to Microsoft Every 90 Days" He states:

All of this brings us to a very basic question. Why would any PC owner -- honest or pirate -- voluntarily participate in such a continuing "phone home" authentication regime?

Obviously, knowledgeable pirates will avoid the whole thing like the plague any way that they can.

What I find interesting in the article (Microsoft to scan for pirates every 90 days) is MS has delayed implementing this where Windows piracy is one of the highest, China.

Notably, release of the update will be delayed in China, where Microsoft has for years grappled with notoriously high levels of Windows piracy. Users there will not see the update until the summer.

Microsoft is already on the back foot in China over its plans to crack down on pirated versions of Windows XP, which involved turning the screen black for users of pirated versions. The latest delay may be a concession aimed at heading off a possible conflict with Chinese users.

 

[Blue]

I can appreciate your response as you trust Microsoft. And those who trust MS are less likely to have a problem with such tactics. However not everybody that uses MS products feel the same way you do.

Once again. If you don't trust them, don't use their product.
Very, very simple.

What is the argument here?

If you are using their product you have agreed to their TOS.

If people choose not to read the TOS that they have to agree to, no ifs ands or buts, then they have no right to complain.
Laziness is not an excuse.

 

[crazypenguin]

So Blue is it not ok to discuss this topic on Hosting Discussions?

 

[Blue]

Why do you ask?
Has someone claimed it's not OK to discuss it here?

Just because I don't agree with you, you assume I think it's not up for discussion?

 

[csn-uk]

The whole trust issue of Microsoft is in a way blown out of portion, would you rather a system such as 30 day issued keys from a central server . If such keys don't mach your windows is disabled or removed? The reason I mention this approach is because of forums such as IPB and software from Adobe use a similar approach with the remote disablement or removal for those installations that are found to be invalid.

There have been plenty of problems with legitimate Windows XP activation issues. Microsoft has issued hotfixes to correct problems here and here.
And the saga continues with validation issues with Vista and Windows7.

There are hundreds if not thousands of approaches they could utilise that would cause more issues however they simply check that your licence key matches up with one that was issued by them and not generated or bypassed. As a result they then prompt you continually to register, at which point if your licence is valid you can approach your hardware vender or Microsoft directly.

Other companies such as Electronic Arts have big issues with invalid lisences as such many buy their games or products attempt to use the "unique" keys and find they are invalid due to pre use, adobe having similar issues with their validation requiring internet access however they resolved this with providing a phone option.

Again Its there with most items we use daily, essentially the scan is to confirm the identity and volatility of your install/licence, how is that say different from a credit check? using your card at a supermarket? policemen checking your car registration?