With the launch of Microsoft`s Windows 2000 operating system in mid-February, software counterfeiters and pirates are in for a nasty surprise - the latest operating system will come with a special CD-ROM that includes an edge-to-edge hologram that will make it almost impossible to duplicate.
This is according to Mark Reynolds, in charge of Microsoft SA`s anti-piracy drive. Reynolds said this is the first time Microsoft has used the new hologram technology, saying the edge-to-edge hologram used on each disk will make it "financially punitive" for software counterfeiters to reproduce the disks. It is the latest salvo fired by Microsoft in its ongoing battle against piracy, which , in SA, is particularly bad, with up to 49% of software used believed to be pirated or unlicensed.
Besides the revolutionary disks, a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label appears on the chassis of every new computer with Windows pre-installed.
"The idea behind these two high-level security features, is two-fold: firstly, it is going to make counterfeiting markedly more difficult. Secondly, because the new security features are also easily recognisable, we are ensuring that customers benefit from using the genuine article - and from being able to identify literally at a glance. This essentially means that customer can buy Windows 2000 with utter confidence, knowing that that he has the genuine product, that it is properly installed, complete and under warranty."
Making identification of the genuine article even easier, the COA label also includes four technologies that are clearly visible on the label, thereby ensuring authenticity: the product-specific name is printed on the label; there is a copper holographic interwoven thread which reveals the words "Microsoft" and "Genuine"; the Microsoft logo actually changes colour between gold and silver with movement; and there is a unique product key.
In addition, the edge-to-edge hologram identifies the different Windows 2000 products - namely: Server, Advanced Server, Professional, and Data Centre. The edge-to-edge hologram also identifies the different sales channels - OEM, Retail, Upgrade, Full Package Product and Academic.
Reynolds added that by knowing they are buying the genuine article, customers can have complete peace of mind, because, when buying a counterfeited product, there is also the increased risk of viruses and software that may be missing - such as certain core coding - which could render the programme unusable. In addition to operational hazards, users of counterfeit products - even if they are unwittingly duped - have no warranty protection and are not eligible for technical support and upgrades.
If a user buys a brand name PC from a Microsoft OEM vendor and orders a Windows 2000 operating system, the desktop will be pre-loaded with Windows 2000. Although, in these cases, the CD-ROM will not have the edge-to-edge hologram, it will have other built-in security, such as a BIOS lock. This BIOS lock is an additional and effective anti-piracy measure. Once the operating system is loaded onto the user`s computer it will only be able to be used on that computer - it will not be able to be loaded on another PC.
Product bought from OEMs, however, will also carry the Microsoft COA labels.
In the final analysis, Microsoft believes the new and easily recognisable security features are not only going to make life more difficult for veteran or, aspiring, software pirates, but they are seen as a major fillip for the end user.
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