Chinese Windows users mad over Microsoft action

LauraR · Oct 22, 2008

Chinese Windows Users See Red Over Microsoft Black-outs

BEIJING, Oct 22 - Chinese Internet users have expressed fury at Microsoft's launch of an anti-piracy tool targeting Chinese computer users to ensure they buy genuine software and not a copy.
The "Windows Genuine Advantage" program, which turns the user's desktop black if the installed software fails a validation test, is Microsoft's latest weapon in its war on piracy in China, where the vast majority of 200 million computer users are believed to be using fake software, unwittingly or not.
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Some reactions:

"Why is Microsoft automatically connected with my computer? The computer is mine!" "Microsoft has no right to control my hardware without my agreement."
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*snort* I don't know why I find that humorous, but I do. LOL

"If the price of genuine software was lower than the fake one, who would buy the fake one?"
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Dong Zhengwei, 35, a Beijing lawyer, described Microsoft as the "biggest hacker in China with its intrusion into users' computer systems without their agreement or any judical authority",
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...an interesting take on stealing.rolleyes

"I respect the right of Microsoft to protect its intellectual property, but it is taking on the wrong target with wrong measures. They should target producers and sellers of fake software, not users."
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mmmm...ok. So the sellers are more guilty than those who use the stolen goods.

BILLMCC66 · Oct 22, 2008

I suppose the replies depend on whether they have a pirate version or a genuine one.

Personally i don't have a problem with validating my OS but i think it should be on my terms not just letting MS enter my PC without authorization.
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8693/000202bf2567273lm1.gif

augiedoggie · Oct 22, 2008

"I respect the right of Microsoft to protect its intellectual property, but it is taking on the wrong target with wrong measures. They should target producers and sellers of fake software, not users."
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This will only happen with their government actively involved in prosecuting the pirate organizations, we can see how well they have accomplished this with pirated American movie distributors. rolleyes I believe the original 'Devil's Own' XP started in China which was somewhat stopped by SP1. I can't blame MS and if they don't like it, they can always go the *nix way. I do feel sorry for folk that bought systems with pirate OS, I got caught too, without knowing.

DavidGP · Oct 22, 2008

I see China has woken up to WGA......

Oh weird guess here but the end users are also the ones buying the pirated copies!

Dong Zhengwei, 35, a Beijing lawyer, described Microsoft as the "biggest hacker in China with its intrusion into users' computer systems without their agreement or any judical authority",
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Had to laugh at this one for a different reason Laura, the one of the Great firewall of China that only lets its people surf sites it deems ok! hypocritical with the statment above? I know some docs that are working in China at present and the state blocks specific websites etc so thats also with out agreement and an intrusion into users.

Thought the chatter on WGA has died, opps wrong, it surfaces again, I like Augie feel for the users who where duped into a hooky copy and are now blocked as its likely may cannot afford a proper copy to get their lives into the superhighway, but can also see that many who are vocal bought hooky copies knowningly and are pissed they have been neutered so to speak.

bigbazza · Oct 22, 2008

Agree with Halo and Augie. :major Bazza

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Halo said: ↑

I see China has woken up to WGA......
…
Thought the chatter on WGA has died, opps wrong, it surfaces again, I, like Augie, feel for the users who where duped into a hooky copy and are now blocked as its likely may cannot afford a proper copy to get their lives into the superhighway, but can also see that many who are vocal bought hooky copies knowningly and are pissed they have been neutered so to speak.
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Chinese Windows users mad over Microsoft action

LauraR MajorGeeks Super-Duper Administrator Staff Member

BILLMCC66 Bionic Belgian

augiedoggie The Canadian Loon - LocoAugie (R.I.P. 2012)

DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek