Microsoft tackles Office piracy

Let's imagine that the program does detect that you have fake (presumably working) software.

At best, there'll be some rigmarole getting a replacement legit copy from Microsoft. At worst, you'll have to pay for it.

So, why bother?
 
Hmmm,right...after the numerous successes of WGA now they launch an identical system for Office...i'll get my popcorn and wait for this to blow up
 
"Microsoft has already piloted the programme in other parts of the world and says tat the response from users has been positive. Most users choose to download OGA as they do not want to take the risks associated with pirated software, or want to know if their versions are genuine, says Everton"

And we should just accept this as fact because....?
 
What annoys me is that they put these sort of things in Windows Update as an urgent update (along with things like IE 7). That area should be reserved for security patches.
 
daveza said:
"Microsoft has already piloted the programme in other parts of the world and says tat the response from users has been positive. Most users choose to download OGA as they do not want to take the risks associated with pirated software, or want to know if their versions are genuine, says Everton"

And we should just accept this as fact because....?
Click to expand...

They're just glossing it over, standard PR bulldust.
 
Okay, so I find this thing, I download it, I install it, I let it do what it wants to do.
Then what?
- Do I still have to uninstall it?
- Does microsoft refund me for my time wasted?
- Do I at least get a discount on my next MS purchase for being a good puppy?

Somehow, and I'm not really sure why, but I'm really not all that motivated to do this .. at all.
Every time somebody mentions piracy .. they never ever mention reward for not pirating. EVER.
 
If an application is found to be non-genuine, a dialogue box will tell the user so, along with options to obtain a licensed version. After a month of notifications, a permanent reminder will be displayed on the Office task bar. However, says Microsoft, OGA will not affect the way Microsoft Office works on individual computers in any way.
Click to expand...

I don't buy that! I have a legal copy of office by the way ;)

I know it's legal, I'm not going to download this stupid program at the risk that I get flagged as a false positive and have some ugly bar bugging me every time I'm trying to do work!!
 
"Users who've purchased Microsoft Office expecting a genuine product, only to find that it is counterfeit, deserve some protection. OGA offers just that."
Click to expand...
What about users who have not purchased Microsoft Office and are not expecting a genuine product?
 
stoke said:
Okay, so I find this thing, I download it, I install it, I let it do what it wants to do.
Then what?
- Do I still have to uninstall it?
- Does microsoft refund me for my time wasted?
- Do I at least get a discount on my next MS purchase for being a good puppy?

Somehow, and I'm not really sure why, but I'm really not all that motivated to do this .. at all.
Every time somebody mentions piracy .. they never ever mention reward for not pirating. EVER.
Click to expand...

here here!! I totally agree
 
Do people really want to know if they have a fake copy of Office. If they believe they have a genuine copy they bought and then run the tool and it tells them its a fake - they then have to go out and spend more buying a legit version.
 
Seems Microsoft is realising that they losing market share, and its a way to politely force you to purchase their expensive product.Office 2007 doesnt work on the stable windows 2000.. another way of compelling clients to upgrade software at huge costs..

OpenOffice v3 solves just about everything. Stock item on each of my new PC's to clients.
 
So if it is picked up as fake, must I go out and buy another copy from another retailer!? Seriously?

Maybe mention something about a reward could jump start this idea.
 
I find it very interesting that people want a reward for obeying the law...
And they don't want to take responsibility and rectify things if they have broken it (accidently or deliberately, knowingly or not)
If you don't want to pay for MS office, then get open office. Seriously, it is definitely a better option than having to steal from a company, or to be "blissfully ignorant".

Oh, and from what I understand, it would only detect the counterfeit copies that are being made in China and the far east, as stated. So if you used a serial key that you got from the web for free, then the OGA won't detect it as illegal, because you used a valid cd key, even though you obtained it illegally.
 
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