Hypocrisy anyone? It sure is confusing.

Only two weeks ago that the software giant announced that piracy is no longer a threat to them. Then, a week later, Microsoft launched a global campaign against the piracy that was supposedly no longer a threat to them. Today, it is Bill Gates himself that has become the pirate.

If you can’t beat them, join them?

On Monday, the Asian microblogging service Plurk publicly accused the corporation of stealing their code. On Monday night, the leader in the anti-piracy movement admitted to stealing the code. Early Tuesday morning, against the public stance Microsoft has taken, no charges were filed.

Whats good for the goose, it seems in this case, is not so good for the gander.

In true hypocrite fashion, the company laid the blame squarely on the shoulders of someone else. “It was the vendor!” they cried to any journalist who was listening. “They did it! We are innocent!”

We can only speculate on what is coming next from the software powerhouse. A new OS called Microsoft Ubuntu? A new game for the Xbox called Socom? Will they call the Xbox 3 the xxoozero, for great justice?

Nothing would surprise me anymore.

Article from: FreakBits

A few days later the same company launched “Consumer Action Day”, which is meant to warn users of the dangers of piracy and inform them of just how badly it affects the industry. Well… this is awkward

The software giant is hitting back the piracy that they claim poses no threat to them… hard. Microsoft will be putting out educational materials and launching ‘enforcement actions’ in over 70 different countries. They even have a hot-line where you can report any piracy you may come across. The number is 1-800 RU LEGIT. Seriously.

The source article for this story goes on for six or so paragraphs about how pirated copies of windows are more likely to get viruses. The exact same thing the guy said in the interview before except instead of denouncing piracy as not even a worry this time it is something important enough to warrant spending millions of dollars to inform the public about.

There is a news story here, but it is not the fact that Microsoft is launching this huge anti-piracy corporate holiday. Nor is it that they said piracy is no longer a threat. It is the fact that they did both in a four day span of time.

Article from: FreakBits

In the interview, which was part of Microsoft’s launch of Windows 7 in the Philippines, Bessey warns users that by using a pirated version of their new OS, they open themselves up to “viruses”.

Elaborating on that, Philstar.com is reporting that online banking may be the biggest danger for those using pirated Operating Systems. Without the protection that Microsoft offers with legit copies of Windows 7, a user could be sharing his banking details with “the world.”

To be fair, in this aspect, that is a chance Internet users always take when when they’re not careful or just unlucky. Nasty little things such as keyloggers and inept users answering emails from Nigerian princes have always been a danger while using any operating system.

To be totally honest, anytime you use any OS of any kind you open yourself up to viruses and trojans, especially with Microsoft’s Operating Systems.

As this article is published, Microsoft has unfortunately not answered to our repeated email requests for a statement on this issue. In the news business that’s called a solid “no comment.”

Article from: FreakBits

But was it right to do so?

During the last week, Microsoft acted on a method it has developed to detect modified Xbox 360 consoles running pirated games and took action to permanently ban them from the Xbox Live gaming service.

If reports are to be believed, up to 1 million consoles were banned in the swoop.

“All consumers should know that piracy is illegal and that modifying their Xbox 360 console to play pirated discs violates the Xbox Live terms of use, will void their warranty, and result in a ban from Xbox Live,” Microsoft said in a statement.

But was Microsoft right to take this action, which, perhaps not all that coincidentally, coincided with the release of Modern Warfare 2, the most anticipated online-capable game this year?

My opinion is this – all is fair in love, war and piracy, and those that pirate anything should fully understand that at times there will be drawbacks.

Anyone familiar with the satellite/cable hacking scene in Europe (I presume the US position will be similar) will know that while it’s all very nice getting free services for months and months on end, eventually there is a payback of sorts, albeit in a limited way.

In response to a new ECM (electronic countermeasure) the special box you bought will stop working or the pirate card will need updating, usually just as the latest blockbuster or sporting event hits PPV. Virgin Media and NTL TV pirates will discover this next year when Nagravision 3 is implemented.

It’s a cat and mouse game. If people rely on pirate products, they must accept that these are the rules. The suppliers of the product or service will do everything they can to stop pirates getting their stuff without paying them for it and of course, they are completely within their rights to do that.

But what Microsoft did was different. Although using pirate games and modified consoles is against the Xbox Live terms of service, instead of canceling a user’s Xbox Live account, it actually banned the user’s console from accessing the service.

This means that if that particular Xbox 360 gets sold on (which is going to happen) the person buying that unit will find that it has reduced functionality, in that it won’t be able to access Xbox Live. The unsuspecting buyer will effectively be punished for the actions of someone else.

So while I believe that Microsoft has the right to terminate a user’s Xbox Live account for a breach of the agreed terms and conditions, I think it’s a step too far to deliberately damage their hardware, albeit in a limited way.

As I mentioned earlier, Modern Warfare 2 was released this week and in my opinion it is absolutely worth every penny, and there will now be many people who have had their consoles banned looking on in envy. They will all have to buy new consoles if they want to experience the amazing online play that Xbox Live offers.

The question is, will they risk modifying their next console?

As always, that’s the gamble….

Article from: FreakBits