Microsoft accused of hacking in piracy clampdown

[Bateluer]

Its rare that I'll side with a copyright holder and say their actions are justified, but in this case, MS should have acted long ago. China can use Linux or BSD if they want an OS that's free.

Believe or not, a lot of earth is not like 'merica. You can't just go down to the best buy. That, and when you get paid SFA, paying for software isn't priority #1.

They must not have a Best Buy or Circuit City or Apple Store, but I'm pretty sure they know damn well that the CDR with WinXP written with a Sharpie is bootlegged. The Chinese aren't stupid.

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: Bateluer
Its rare that I'll side with a copyright holder and say their actions are justified, but in this case, MS should have acted long ago. China can use Linux or BSD if they want an OS that's free.

Believe or not, a lot of earth is not like 'merica. You can't just go down to the best buy. That, and when you get paid SFA, paying for software isn't priority #1.

They must not have a Best Buy or Circuit City or Apple Store, but I'm pretty sure they know damn well that the CDR with WinXP written with a Sharpie is bootlegged. The Chinese aren't stupid.

If the computer stores operate anything like their open-air markets, I wouldn't be surprised if the stores sell customers very legit looking copies of their software. Nicely printed or even professionally pressed labels, etc...

Piracy was just ridiculously rampant when I was in Shanghai. Every other corner was a guy ushering you to the back of their store, opening some hidden cupboard filled with bootleg movies (all with nice labels), fake designer watches, purses, etc...

...the whole bartering experience was quite fun actually.

 

[Parasitic]

Originally posted by: clamum

Others claim Microsoft's high prices are responsible for the problem.

Can't afford it? Use Linux.

Arent' customers in the US and other developed nations partially subsidizing computer users in China with our purchases of Windows?

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Just to inject a couple of facts here. This version of WGA (v. 1.8.0031.0) is a couple of months old (August 26th) and rolled out over approximately a month. There is already a simple crack available. I support MS on this but it will have very little effect in my opinion. Calling it hacking is just typical New Scientist hyperbole.

 

[her209]

I bet at least half the people in this thread have downloaded something illegally at one point in their lives.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
In other news: Blizzard announces billions of WoW players no longer logging on in Asia.;

fixed for ya

 

[thegimp03]

Dong Zhengwei, a Beijing lawyer claims in the China Daily that Microsoft's action could even be illegal under Chinese law. He calls the company the "biggest hacker in China with its intrusion into users' computer systems without their agreement or any judicial authority".

lol, Microsoft the biggest hacker in China? When the article had just stated that 82% of all software is pirated in China? Jesus, give me a break.

 

[ShawnD1]

Originally posted by: her209
I bet at least half the people in this thread have downloaded something illegally at one point in their lives.

How many of them complained when the hacked copy didn't work? My hacked version of Solidworks is broken! I think I'll sue whatever company makes that software!!

Good for MS. It's not like MS is suing people and hoping they starve to death (RIAA). All they did was disable hacked software. With the number of people in the US alone being sued for pirating music, people in China need to quit their bitching and just be happy they are not being sued as well.

 

[Eeezee]

I thought you had to hit an OK button in order for Windows Genuine Advantage to run. The only time I've ever seen it was when I ran windows update (the website, not automatic updates - automatic updates didn't run genuine advantage ). Also, when I downloaded DirectX.

To me, that indicates that the users DID agree to a genuine advantage check, in which case it's fine.