MS Offers to Swap Pirated XP with Legal Versions

[munkle]

Linky and for those who are too lazy to click:

Computer giant Microsoft has launched a pilot scheme to replace counterfeit versions of Windows XP with legal ones.

The first-time initiative is restricted to the UK and to users with pre-installed copies of the operating system in PCs bought before November.

Until December Microsoft said software can be sent to it for analysis if there are doubts about its legitimacy.

The company aims to detect illegal traders and turn users of fake versions of Windows into legitimate ones.

Information gathering

The Windows XP Counterfeit Project will mean that software that is found to be counterfeit will be replaced for free, subject to certain conditions, until the end of the year.

It is the first time Microsoft has launched a counterfeit product replacement scheme in the world, the company told the BBC News website.

In June, the software giant said that the major security update to Windows XP, Service Pack 2, would not work with the most widely pirated versions of its operating system.

The upgrade closed security loopholes in XP and added features that made it easier to keep machines safe from viruses and other types of malicious computer code.

The US company invited anyone who had suspicions about their version of Windows XP to submit it for testing as soon as possible.

The procedure consists of a series of computer checks, collating documents, and filling out a witness statement.

"This is a great opportunity for users to confirm the authenticity of Windows XP software whilst helping gather vital information about illegal traders", said Alex Hilton, licence compliance manager at Microsoft.

The scheme has also been welcomed by the technology and commerce industry.

"It is important that users ensure that they are legally licensed to avoid the risks of purchasing and using counterfeit products", said David Frost, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce.

The plan would enable Microsoft to gather intelligence about illegal traders in a prompt way, which would allow it to take action against software pirates.

Microsoft said it would evaluate the results of the UK programme before setting up similar schemes in other countries.

 

[edesignuk]

I read this article last week, made me LARF!!! Maybe I can try getting my various VLK/Corporate editions of just about everything they have swapped for legit copies

 

[mkrishnan]

One press copy I read of this said it applied only to OEM installed/packaged versions. So you have to send them a CD-ROM in, right? Not that I have any copies, pirated or otherwise, of XP. Or a Windows PC atm. Or live in the UK.

But my question is, are they targetting corporate or home users that illegally install an XP license on multiples machines (sounds like no), or people who download and install XP off of torrent or another filesharing system (sounds like no, because they don't have an install CD to send in), or people who bought computers from little tiny mom n' pop computer sales places that pirate XP (and how many of those are there in the UK?)?

Just curious.

 

[Abstract]

So are they asking people to send in their computer and their burned copy of Win XP? Can't I just send them my CD-Rs and get a free copy of WinXP? Certainly burned CDs are illegal.

 

[mkrishnan]

So are they asking people to send in their computer and their burned copy of Win XP? Can't I just send them my CD-Rs and get a free copy of WinXP? Certainly burned CDs are illegal.

Dear Mr. Krishnan,

We regret to inform you that the AOL Trial CD you sent in, with a post-it-note affixed to it, labelled "Windows XP, SP2 OEM Install" does not qualify as a pirated copy of Windows XP, and is therefore ineligible for this program. In point of fact, upon examination, our technical staff was unable to find any actual use for this CD, or to determine its purpose. We understand your frustration, but wish to remind you that while there are many pieces of software, supplied on CD-ROM, which have no actual use or purpose, the offer in question only applies to Windows XP, and not to any other software that meets these criteria. We wish you the best of luck in the future with Microsoft products, for which we encourage you to pay before you throw them in the drawer with the other useless, purposeless install CD-ROMs.

 

[MrMacMan]

Ugh, thats a grrreeeatt policy.

 

[wdlove]

Sounds like a Christmas present from Bill Gates. Also giving those with illegal software a grace period.

 

[MacAztec]

Wait, so if I have a pirated copy of XP on my Home PC, that I installed myself, I can get a real version? Please tell me how.

 

[tutubibi]

Wait, so if I have a pirated copy of XP on my Home PC, that I installed myself, I can get a real version? Please tell me how.

Does not apply if you installed XP yourself. Only if you bought new PC with OEM WinXP pre-installed and that copy is pirated. This is just another way for MS to track small shops that sell you a PC with illegal copy of Windows.

 

[munkle]

Does not apply if you installed XP yourself. Only if you bought new PC with OEM WinXP pre-installed and that copy is pirated. This is just another way for MS to track small shops that sell you a PC with illegal copy of Windows.

Is this a big problem in the UK?

 

[asif786]

seems to me like somebody at M$ was bored so they decided to design this scheme.

How about some good, working software M$?!?!

 

[moot]

Sounds like an advertising gimmick to me.

Cant seem to think that this is a big problem in the UK. I bet not many people end up receiving a free copy of XP. Now if they were willing to replace all those copies that people buy in places like China and Thailand and then take back to the UK then that would be serious numbers getting freebies.

 

[broken_keyboard]

This is just rewarding criminality.

Instead MS, should just send out agents of their own to buy PCs from these dodgy vendors and then they will have them red handed.

 

[munkle]

This is just rewarding criminality.

Instead MS, should just send out agents of their own to buy PCs from these dodgy vendors and then they will have them red handed.

I think the purpose is to help out users who unwittingly bought computers with pirated XP on them and in turn catch the offending vendors. An advertising gimmick it might be, especially in the UK, but makes more sense than MS going round buying computers from random vendors across the country.