Microsoft to Heighten Anti-Piracy Measures in Windows Vista

The Redmond Wash.-based software maker said the users will be given 30 days to register the software with Microsoft servers. After that time, unregistered operating systems will revert to limited use, permitting users to only access the web, but not launch applications.

Cori Hartje, director of Microsoft's Genuine Software Initiative, said the company now wants users to notice the difference between legal and pirated copies of Vista.

"Our goal is to really make a differentiated experience for genuine and non-genuine users," Hartje said.

The firm additionally rolled out its Software Protection Platform on Wednesday, a set of technologies aimed at making pirating software more difficult for consumers, as well as businesses.

"It brings together new anti-piracy innovations, counterfeit detection and tamper-resistant features into a complete platform that provides better software protection to programs that leverage it," Hartje added.

According to a report published by the Business Software Alliance – a software industry forum – 35 percent of all software installed worldwide during 2005 was pirated or unlicensed. representing $35 billion of industry losses in 2005 alone.