Microsoft is a supporter of Microsoft software products piracy. That
sounds a tad redundant, I know, but it is nothing short of the truth.
While some users might be temped to deploy counterfeit
software, the Redmond Company would rather have them pirate
Microsoft products instead of anything else. So the next time you find
yourselves thinking about copying, deploying and using bootlegged
software, give Microsoft a chance. By the looks of it, they'll really
appreciate it.
“If they're going to pirate somebody, we want it to be us rather than
somebody else,” revealed Microsoft business group president Jeff
Raikes, at the Morgan Stanley Technology conference in San Francisco.
“We understand that in the long run the fundamental asset is the
installed base of people who are using our products. What you hope to
do over time is convert them to licensing the software.”
This is not to say that Microsoft supports piracy, or that it
encourages users to pirate their software products. However, for the
Redmond Company, a user that chooses to use Microsoft pirated software
over anything else is a case of the lesser evil. Raikes' statement is
not an endorsement of the usage of Microsoft counterfeit software, but
instead it represents an insight into the Redmond Company's strategy
with pirated products.
All users of pirated Microsoft software are potential customers for the
Redmond Company. Once you are hooked, even if the first “dose” is
pirated, then the company can simply reel you in, and turn your
Microsoft addiction into profit.
“You want to push towards getting legal licensing, but you don't want
to push so hard that you lose the asset that's most fundamental in the
business,” Raikes added.
Nice one buddy... its like giving a free trial than to lure people to buy the product.. as many people use pirated windows but than they cannot update the security patches.. which leads to data loss n system instability.. where as the licensed people are safeguarded by it.. so even if people use pirated products, microsoft knows that it wont work too well for them and the potential customer can always become a actual customer ....
