Software Pirates, Beware: New Microsoft Tool Goes After Repeated Offenders

[frogboy]

As one of the companies that are hit by piracy the hardest, Microsoft has recently developed a new technology that can help automatically detect users who are repeatedly sharing pirated content online and block specific cloud features, thus limiting the impact of their actions.

A patent called “Disabling prohibited content and identifying repeat offenders in service provider storage systems” describes a new technology that can limit cloud features for a user who has been marked as a “repeated offender” after trying to share pirated content with another person several times.

If until now taking down the pirated content was the first thing to do, Microsoft is aiming for a more automated solution, so with this new tech, the company could automatically prevent pirates from sharing content stored in the cloud with someone else online.

Furthermore, each user would have an infringement history, and based on the information stored here, the service can determine whether they must be marked as a repeated offender or not.

Read More. Software Pirates, Beware: New Microsoft Tool Goes After Repeated Offenders

 

[Winter Soldier]

I'm not worried about this but I believe any automated technology could theoretically generate false positives.
I do hope MS considers this possibility.

 

[frogboy]

If it works well all I can say is great and about time. Only if it works well though.

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

Agreed, this is a step in the right direction at least.
They will evolve and over time will have an impact.
It's far better than doing nothing.
I agree Winter, it won't be 100% reliable so they need to tread carefully but
it's nice to see they have something to evolve over time, very encouraging

 

[SHvFl]

What a pile of bs. MS doesn't want to stop home pirates. They didn't even change the ksm activation in version 10 of windows to lock people out and they still haven't done it after all this releases.
They just pretend they want to eliminate pirates but if that happened and people moved to linux then good luck selling to the enterprises when everyone is familiar with the free linux.

MS wants people to pirate windows and get familiar with it so they can have lots of sales in enterprise. Anything than enterprise and oem is just a promotion for them and the cost of advertising.

 

[_CyberGhosT_]

What a pile of bs. MS doesn't want to stop home pirates. They didn't even change the ksm activation in version 10 of windows to lock people out and they still haven't done it after all this releases.
They just pretend they want to eliminate pirates but if that happened and people moved to linux then good luck selling to the enterprises when everyone is familiar with the free linux.

MS wants people to pirate windows and get familiar with it so they can have lots of sales in enterprise. Anything than enterprise and oem is just a promotion for them and the cost of advertising.

Well, they will test this out on us and as they perfect it, then maybe incorproate it or gear it twords more of a enterprise
solution or deterrent.
I found this too further down in the article:

QUOTE: Keep in mind, however, that this is just a patent for the time being, though it’s worth mentioning that Microsoft filed it in November 2013 and the original publication date is May 2015. END

So whatever they are doing it is moving at a snails pace.

 

[Atlas147]

I also think that this is more targeted to their own cloud systems, or else how would MS know that we are sharing pirated items? If they use their software to snoop around your files on the desktop then I think it's time to change your operating system.

 

[ZeroDay]

I also think that this is more targeted to their own cloud systems, or else how would MS know that we are sharing pirated items? If they use their software to snoop around your files on the desktop then I think it's time to change your operating system.

I agree.

 

[soccer97]

They already know in general where their software is being used without a proper license, and they are focusing on targeting the problem more each day. I saw a special intro to their new center - they are able to uniquely identify the PC and detect details you would not expect. Do a quick Google Search.
Properly license your software. please. People work really hard to devote the time and resources to develop and support it. That helps solve the problem.

Popular software does go on sale (and sometimes includes a mail in rebate) every now and then. You just need to check reputable websites (not eBay and the like) or sign up for their newsletter when they have special promotions.

Additional benefits = support, optional software assurance, discounted upgrades, feedback, some offer users the opportunity to request features or changes.Some even offer money back guarantees for a limited time.

Security updates continue and the software is not laden with malware. It ends up costing you less in the end to do the right thing.

Sorry for the long post.