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In an effort to upset Chinese nationals who steal their software, Microsoft has syndicated a software update that can turn their desktop wallpaper black.
According to the Wall Street Journal the security measure is part of a world-wide antipiracy initiative that began in August. The update has apparently upset the Chinese, who despite thieving the software and then openly admitting that they are using an illegally obtained operating system, have now demanded that Microsoft stop the practise claiming that it is a violation of their rights.
The update wallpaper change can be reversed, however it doesn’t render computers unusable. But if it detects that an illegitimate version of Windows is running, it will interrupt users periodically with notifications that they may be victims of software counterfeiting. Volunteers are already circulating programs on the Web that users can download to get around Microsoft’s add-on.
Microsoft recently offered the illegal users of their software in China a low $30 bundle price for home and student versions of Microsoft Office, down from $102.
The WSJ says that the program is “part of Microsoft’s ongoing effort to protect customers and partners from counterfeit software and to increase customer awareness of the value of genuine Microsoft software,” a company spokesman said. “This is a completely voluntary program” because users need to actively download the add-on in order to participate.
But Tuesday, when it was launched, PC users in China lashed out at the program. “We do not stand up for piracy, but against your company for not thinking how the users feel,” wrote one blogger, called Ling Ge, in an open letter to Microsoft.
Microsoft responded to the complaints Wednesday, saying the measure was meant to help those who are duped into buying illegal software at full price, a user-segment that Microsoft estimates to account for 20% of all users of pirated software. The company also said the software would not affect users’ applications nor cause any data losses.
For more on this story see http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122470069570359159.html
