Windows Genuine Spyware

Damn it, this shit just pisses me off. Advantage for whom? Translation: We think you’re too stupid to know if you have a legal copy of the Windows operating system you are using and/or we suspect that you are a thief.

NOTICE: THIS UPDATE FROM MICROSOFT WILL HELP YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE RUNNING A PROPERLY LICENSED, GENUINE COPY OF WINDOWS XP. SOME UPDATES AND OFFERS FROM MICROSOFT REQUIRE A GENUINE COPY OF WINDOWS XP.

INSTALLING THIS UPDATE IS OPTIONAL. THE UPDATE WILL BECOME A PERMANENT PART OF YOUR WINDOWS XP SOFTWARE.

INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR SYSTEM (FOR EXAMPLE, YOUR WINDOWS PRODUCT KEY AND IP ADDRESS) WILL BE SENT TO MICROSOFT. MICROSOFT WILL NOT USE THE INFORMATION TO IDENTIFY OR CONTACT YOU.

BEFORE INSTALLING, PLEASE READ AND ACCEPT THE LICENSE TERMS BELOW.

MICROSOFT SOFTWARE SUPPLEMENTAL LICENSE TERMS

MICROSOFT WINDOWS GENUINE ADVANTAGE NOTIFICATIONS FOR MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP

Microsoft Corporation (or based on where you live, one of its affiliates) licenses this supplement to you. The following license terms describe additional use terms for this supplement. These terms and the license terms for the software (Microsoft Windows XP) apply to your use of this supplement. If there is a conflict, these supplemental license terms apply.

BY USING THIS SUPPLEMENT, YOU ACCEPT THESE TERMS. IF YOU DO NOT ACCEPT THEM, DO NOT USE THIS SUPPLEMENT.

If you comply with these license terms, you have the rights below.

Application of Terms. The terms also apply to any Microsoft updates, supplements, Internet-based services, and support services for the software, unless other terms accompany those items. If so, those terms apply.
PURPOSE OF SUPPLEMENT. THIS SUPPLEMENT UPDATES WINDOWS XP AND IS DESIGNED TO NOTIFY YOU IF YOU ARE USING AN IMPROPERLY LICENSED COPY OF WINDOWS XP. TO EFFECTIVELY ENCOURAGE THE USE OF PROPERLY LICENSED SOFTWARE, THIS SUPPLEMENT CANNOT BE UNINSTALLED.
Validation. This supplement also includes the Windows Genuine Advantage validation tool. The tool will check whether you have a properly licensed copy of Microsoft Windows XP (“Windows XP”) installed. Installation of the validation tool may be required in order to install certain Microsoft software or to use services such as Windows Update. If you have a properly licensed copy of Windows XP installed, you receive special benefits, which are listed on the following link: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39157.
Notification. If this supplement detects that you do not have a properly licensed copy of Windows XP installed, you will receive a notification and periodic reminders to install a properly licensed copy of Windows XP. This supplement will also notify you if a more recent Windows service pack for the software is available.
Internet-Based Services. Microsoft provides Internet-based services with this supplement. It may change or cancel them at any time. This supplement connects to Microsoft or service provider computer systems over the Internet as described below. In some cases, you will not receive a separate notice when it connects. For more information about this feature, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=56310.
Computer Information. This supplement uses Internet protocols to send to Microsoft computer information, such as your Windows XP product key, hard drive serial number, PC manufacturer, operating system version, Windows XP product ID, PC BIOS information, user locale setting, language version of Windows XP, validation result and whether the installation of this supplement was successful. Certain information derived from your IP address, which cannot be used to identify you, is retained in association with this computer information.
Use of Information. We may use the computer information to improve our software and services, help prevent improperly licensed use of the software, and develop aggregate statistics. We may also share the aggregate data with others, such as hardware and software vendors and volume licensees to help protect their license keys.
CONSENT FOR INTERNET-BASED SERVICES. BY USING THIS FEATURE, YOU CONSENT TO THE TRANSMISSION AND USE OF THE ABOVE COMPUTER INFORMATION. MICROSOFT DOES NOT USE THE INFORMATION TO IDENTIFY OR CONTACT YOU.
Privacy Notice: For additional Information about the computer information transmitted to Microsoft, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=68985.
Support Services for Supplement. Microsoft provides support services for the software as described at www.support.microsoft.com/common/international.aspx.

Comments

Thomas on 2007-02-28 23:31:14 wrote: Vista is Evil. That’s not directly related to your post but it just needs to be said.
JGJones on 2007-03-01 01:35:37 wrote: Then you must be loving your Ubuntu installation more than ever ;-) If I recall correctly, it’s only your Lovely and Talented Wife that use Windows? Perhaps you could always encourage her to try Ubuntu or hurry up a purchase of OSX. In my house, no Windows, it’s all Ubuntu and my wife’s completely used to it and prefers it now.
David on 2007-03-01 03:51:58 wrote: It was always my suspicion that Microsoft wasn’t always that bothered about illegal copying of their software because they knew it helped increase their market share - and most people aren’t that bothered about their quasi-monopoly because it makes exchanging data easier if everyone is using the same standard. Now it’s time to cash in…
Jonathan on 2007-03-01 09:53:48 wrote: If you notice after running this update it opens up a webpage with a link to M$ download site so it looks to me like all this is really doing is forcing you to view there free and third party website, IE spyware. They just had a genuine advantage checkup not to long ago included with the updates.
John on 2007-03-01 16:47:24 wrote: JG, it’ll be OSX for her rather than Ubuntu unless AmaroK can start accessing the iTunes store.
the benefits of genuine windows software validation « all the standard catastrophes on 2007-03-21 07:06:38 wrote: […] I had heard about this before, so I was already a bit apprehensive about it. The whole premise of this little software tidbit is […]