MICROSOFT MAY SHUT DOWN BOOTLEG COPIES OF WINDOWS

ArsTechinica has a report on the rumor going around that Microsoft may be expanding their Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program to lock out pirated copies of their Windows XP operating system.

For those unaware of what WGA is, Microsoft recently made the software a mandatory download for anyone seeking Windows XP updates, and the product simply checks that the user has a legal copy of Windows installed. In the event the user does not have a legal copy of Windows, the program simply asked them to purchase Windows and would restrict the downloading of some non-critical updates. Of course, after release it was also revealed that WGA also reports back to Microsoft periodically with it’s findings and updates how the software displays the piracy warnings.

It seems the rumor is now that Microsoft plans on changing the warning from just a nagging reminder to buy a legal copy of the operating system along with a few download restrictions, to a potential full shutdown of the operating system within 30 days of the first notice if the user does not comply.

While I fully understand Microsoft moving to protect their interests, I have to wonder how many cases of mistaken shutdowns this could cause. Despite whatever text Microsoft may throw into the EULA, I’m quite sure the lawsuits would be flying should people lose access to their PC’s due to an error on Microsoft’s part.

Check out ArsTechnica’s report on the WGA rumors here and ask yourself if Microsoft is watching you right now…