New Anti-Piracy Windows 7 Update from MS

[Kinetic]

I'm not understanding.
I bought my Toshiba laptop about 2months ago.
Windows 7 pre-installed on it.
I download certain pirated stuff all the time, software, video, music.
Microsoft products i do not download.
Will this affect me?

[Johan]

IMO the game publishers are still more intrusive and controlling than MS with their own versions of DRM at this point. Some will not work without an internet connection and others if you install too many times you have to beg and plead with the company to let you install it again because they feel three times is enough, And that is with a valid copy. Don't even get me started with STEAM.(you don't want to forget your password) Meanwhile someone who has hijacked a copy from their friendly neighbourhood torrent site will have no issues at all. Just makes me shake my head.

[maineman]

Hard to argue with much of what you said, plus I'm still in dire need of another cup of coffee...

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't DVDFab verify authenticity with every use? ...

Well, yes and no.
I guess for some BD+ copy protection an internet connection is required
I don't have any BR hardware, so I'm completely clueless here.

Once Fab is installed, you don't ever need an internet connection, except as above. My system does not allow Fab internet access.
I know VSO used to gather burn data (I think they still do) and only burn data from users world-wide so as to improve their products.
This miffed some and not others, but one could easily opt out and just choose not to allow Fab to connect.

One could argue that an internet connection is not required to run windoz.
I would argue that running an os is worlds apart from running software such as Fab.

Still, the fact that Fab does it at all, doesn't make it ok just because it's Fab. I believe we still need to at intent and just how intrusive/invasive the activity is.
Do I think MS is evil and looking to punish users with legit licenses?
Of course not.
I simply hold that MS has gone too far

You can't blame developers for protecting their investment. The only difference is MS takes things too far just for profit. Always trying to squash the little guy. It is nice when the little guy comes out on top though.

No argument here.
Well said

The judge has also ordered that MS can claim expenses...
So how does that work? Does Everyone named on the lawsuit get get a bill from the lawyers for $30,000. This would make consumers and Law Firms very leary of trying to sue MS again.

OUCH!

[Johan]

The rich stay rich

I also have no doubt that there will be some innocents that get caught up in this anti-piracy war waged by MS.

I think that is part of MS's goal to weed out individuals who resell PC's with windows installed that are not legit copies. The innocent ones will start complaining to MS and their response will be, "Do you have the name and address of the people who sold you this PC? " Piracy is piracy but your average pirate isn't using it for profit. They just want software for free.

Maineman
I have no problem with the initial activation, but I have a big problem with monthly re-authentication

Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't DVDFab verify authenticity with every use? You can't blame developers for protecting their investment. The only difference is MS takes things too far just for profit. Always trying to squash the little guy. It is nice when the little guy comes out on top though.

An East Texas jury Tuesday found Microsoft culpable of "willfully" infringing two patents for virtual private networking (VPN) technologies that belong to Scotts Valley, Calif.-based holding company VirnetX. The jury also proposed that Microsoft be ordered to pay $105.75 million.

Microsoft will always come out on top. Back to XP people launched a class action lawsuit against MS saying that MS released their "phone home" update as a security patch misleading consumers. Also accusing it of being spyware.The judge sided with MS.

A lawsuit that accused Microsoft of misleading consumers to download and install an update for Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) under the guise that it was critical security update will go forward, but not as a class action. A federal judge has refused to certify the lawsuit as a class action, which would have meant anyone who owned a Windows XP PC in mid-2006 could join the case without having to hire an attorney. As Windows XP was easily the most popular operating system at the time, the move means Redmond has managed to avoid hundreds of millions in potential damages

The judge has also ordered that MS can claim expenses.

Jones also said that Microsoft could demand compensation for the money it spent contesting the class-action charges, even though the plaintiffs withdrew most of those allegations prior to trial.

So how does that work? Does Everyone named on the lawsuit get get a bill from the lawyers for $30,000. This would make consumers and Law Firms very leary of trying to sue MS again.

[maineman]

I installed it about 2 weeks ago and there are no ill effects on a legit copy.

Right....from what I've read, any os deemed authentic by MS will continue merrily along its way and no doubt this will be be the case for most of us.
I bought my copy from newegg and I'm not about to do anything to compromise my product key and I dare say most users will do likewise.

I also have no doubt that there will be some innocents that get caught up in this anti-piracy war waged by MS.

I have no problem with the initial activation, but I have a big problem with monthly re-authentication.

IMO checking to ignore will probably only work for so long. MS will more than likely incorporate it into SP1 for Win7.

Aint it the truth...but I'll hold out as long as I can

[signals]

It has appeared in the update lists for all my XP machines, I have not installed it. I may let it install on one of the netbooks just to see what happens.

[Chameleon]

I looked through all my updates from MS and could not find one with that KB prefix. But maybe 64bit Ultimate Vista has another Knowledge Base number? Not that I am worried or anything.

[maineman]

Here's the blog that caught my attention:

http://lauren.vortex.com/archive/000681.html

[maineman]

If what I read was accurate and I believe it was, the programming was actually introduced in XP, just not utilized/activated.

[Chameleon]

I wonder if they incorporated that into Vista also?

[maineman]

Your entire system, ie., your Win7 os and everything installed will be affected.

Your Win7 os will be downgraded to "non-genuine" status.
After a short time, the background will appear black. You will be timed-out and be forced to reboot every 20 minutes.
You be be the happy recpient of constant nag screens.
At least this is what I understand will happen.
I'm sure it gets even better.

The thing is, once your system is deemed "non-genuine" by MS, you're screwed. There's no going back.
Even better, this can occur anytime;
right when you install it or 6 months down the road when MS decides to change its mind about what's genuine or not.

You can uninstall it anytime prior to it tagging you.
Once you're tagged...game over.

Hope this helps

[kiekie10]

Hi there am I right in thinking that this update is related to all my software not just windows 7.

[Johan]

IMO checking to ignore will probably only work for so long. MS will more than likely incorporate it into SP1 for Win7. I installed it about 2 weeks ago and there are no ill effects on a legit copy. You can pick up a copy of WIN7Pro at newegg for $150 for OEM version.

[loueber]

Hi.
i seen that artical and i changed my auto updates to notify me before download or install.
I noticed that that particular update IS in the list.
I unchecked it, set it to ignore it in the future, and have no detrimental effects from it.

i find the fact that my software has to connect every so often to see if its legit is ludicrous.
i cant believe that MS is so greedy that for the SMALL amount of people that actually are capable of running pirate windows software they go though all this work...the billions they make isnt enough for them.
its not like the pirate versions are being sold, and that money is being taken away from MS... no, its a small group of people that run pirate versions... and most run them due to hi over priced and under supported software they produce..
for example, i have a good freind that just sheeldd out some big bugs for a new vista computer... well.. we all know what vista is like, and instead of MS fixing the bugs, they just make W7, and then require big money to change over to that OS.. thats uncalled for...
anyways, i am receiving all my other updates wiht no issues since i refused the anti pirate update.,

[Dorrell]

as i have nothing to worry about - i do thank you for the heads up.

it's always a joy knowing someone is looking out for us.

thank you!