Microsoft Tries Blackening Screens To Fight Software Piracy in China
Microsoft Corp. is trying a not-so-subtle tactic to combat software piracy, sending millions of computer users a software update that turns their screens black and nags them to switch to legitimate copies of Windows.
The update doesn't prevent people from continuing to use their machines, but it has touched a nerve among China's computer users. Some people there are calling it a violation of their rights, even though many may not have properly paid for their Microsoft software. Many computer used be these pirates are Used Dell Laptops
The security measure is part of a world-wide antipiracy initiative at the software giant. It has been sent automatically to users of the Windows XP operating system that opt to receive updates over the Internet from the company.
The move is perhaps the most attention-grabbing yet by the Redmond, Wash., company, which has long attempted to discourage software piracy. It has been a particularly stubborn problem in China, the world's second-largest personal computer market by units sold.
To spur legitimate sales, Microsoft also this month lowered the price of its software in China in a temporary promotion. It now charges less than $30 for home and student versions of Microsoft Office, down from $102.
Microsoft says it began using the screen-blackening tactic in August with all users of Windows XP to more clearly alert users if they're running counterfeit versions.
A company spokeswoman said there has been little outcry in other parts of the world about the program.
Once Microsoft has blackened a screen's background, a user can manually change their wallpaper back to their personal preference, such as a digital family photo. However, Windows will automatically revert back to the black wallpaper every 60 minutes. It also posts a message on the screen warning users about using counterfeit products.
As the security update spread through China this week, PC users there lashed out at the program. "We do not stand up for piracy, but against your company for not thinking how the users feel," wrote one blogger, called Ling Ge, in an open letter to Microsoft.
For those people who have unwittingly installed counterfeit versions of Windows in places like China, Microsoft says it offers a program under which it will send a free copy of Windows. To qualify though, the users must send the physical Windows disc they purchased and accompanying packaging to demonstrate that they were fooled by an authentic-looking version of the software.
China is increasingly important to technology companies world-wide, especially as technology budgets shrink in the wake of the economic downturn. According to Microsoft, China, along with Brazil, Russia and India, saw revenue grow 54% collectively over its fiscal year ending June 30, outpacing the company's world-wide revenue growth of 18%.
Microsoft has struggled in China until recently because of rampant software piracy. But in the past few years, the company has joined with PC makers, including Hewlett-Packard Co., Dell Inc. and Lenovo Group Ltd., to install Microsoft applications on computers before sale, which has helped its business.
Piracy can take place a number of ways in China, both knowingly and by accident. Users can easily buy pirated software for less than two dollars or download it for free. Many buy their computers from markets, where sellers can easily pre-install pirated software in order to sell PCs at lower prices without the user knowing.
This was true for Chen Xuemei, a 33-year-old from the western city Chongqing whose desktop turned black Tuesday. "When I bought [my computer] back from the shop, it already had everything installed by the staff there," she said. When her screen turned black, she "had no idea what was happening and had to call the technician in my company to help."
