New Antipiracy Measures Debut in Windows 2000

One of the most visible new features of the Windows 2000 operating system will be Microsoft’s efforts to combat software piracy. Concerned about piracy’s financial toll on Microsoft and its resellers, the company is raising the bar for successful piracy. New features such as enhanced holograms, installation CD-ROMs that run only on particular computer brands, and an Internet search engine devoted to ferreting out pirated copies of Microsoft software available for download will make it more difficult to distribute and use counterfeit software.

Still to be determined are what effect these measures will actually have on piracy rates. Microsoft admits that none of them will actually prevent piracy, but says they will make life more difficult for those who illegally sell and use its programs.

Protecting the Code

Windows 2000 and new releases of Office 2000 will feature “edge-to-edge” holograms that cover the entire top surface of the compact disc. The holograms have no impact on the code on the disk. This technology, to which Microsoft has purchased exclusive worldwide rights, will help the company and consumers spot counterfeit CDs.