Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative Enters 2nd Year

Microsoft continues to press forward with its Genuine Software Initiative, saying it is seeing progress in combating pirate software. However, it also warns that the battle is far from over.

So far, some 600 million plus validations have been processed since Microsoft started Windows Genuine Advantage in July 2005. It says its outreach efforts with law enforcement and government officials are also paying off for the company.

For example, Brazil has created a government entity aimed at bringing together both public and private groups to protect intellectual property. In China, Microsoft was successful in getting companies to urge its businesses to use genuine software.

But it won't stop here, according to Microsoft anti-piracy director Cori Hartje. "This is a long-term project for us," she said. "It's important that customers get what they pay for, are fully licensed, and are experiencing the benefits of genuine software."

Microsoft's anti-piracy efforts are strengthened by its tougher measures in Vista and Longhorn Server, which all require activation within 30-days before the software is placed in "reduced functionality mode."

Hartje argued that this effort is helping Microsoft gain the upper hand on counterfeiters, pointing out that they could no longer use volume-licensed copies of the operating system to create pirated copies.

Some pirates haven't figured out how to break Vista, and she pointed to a recent trip to South America where a street vendor told them the software wouldn't work long before Microsoft would shut off the key.

"We've yet to see high-quality packaged counterfeit versions of our new operating system software," she claims. However she also admitted that the company needed to strengthen its efforts to bring genuine software to areas where it may be difficult to find it.

In order to track pirates down, Hartje says the company will continue its Genuine Advantage program, giving users incentives for not only purchasing genuine software, but also reporting those who continue to sell it.

"We will continue our efforts to raise awareness of the inherent risks of counterfeit software and help prevent counterfeiters and software pirates from taking advantage of our customers," Hartje added.