This is Microsoft’s next move on the battle against fake software. The largest software maker has expanded the Genuine Software Initiative so that customers will be able to tell if their version of Windows is truly genuine.

Counterfeit software is sold all the time, anywhere in the world and even on the Internet. People feel that stealing a bit from a company won’t hurt it. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

It has been estimated that 35% of all PC software worldwide is pirated. An IDC Economic Impact Study stated that if there were 10% less thefts worldwide 2.4 million jobs would be created and there would be $400 billion dollars in global economic growth.

Microsoft wants to protect consumers and re-sellers from receiving counterfeit software (and of course be paid for it). That’s why they will now be notifies those using illegal software that they are in fact doing so. Persons who have purchased legal software will notice no change.

The notifications will be placed straight on their desktop and will be seen each time they boot up and will remain fixed on the desktop. This should aid consumers in spotting illegal software and at least knowing that they have been tricked.

But, it might work well in other situations. In places of business the usage of illegal software will become public. Of course, there will always be people who don’t care, however, now you can rest easy and be thankful that the Windows operating system you purchased was indeed illegal and not genuine.

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