Thai pirates crack Microsoft's new XP

BANGKOK: Thai computer users are buying thousands of pirated copies of

Microsoft's new Windows XP operating system a week ahead of its official launch

in Thailand, vendors said on Monday.

Shops at Bangkok's Pantip Plaza -- a multi-storey rabbit's warren of computer

goods outlets -- said pirates had found ways of getting around the new operating

system's security features.

"We've had XP Professional for three weeks and it's selling very well.

We sell around 200 copies a day," one shop owner, who identified himself

only as Nop, told Reuters.

Hundreds of copies were on display at 120 baht ($2.70) each at individual

stalls. Licensed home and office versions in the United States retail at between

$99 and $199. The official launch of Microsoft XP in Thailand is scheduled for

November 17.

Microsoft officials and vendors said software pirates had found ways to

circumvent the system's new security features. They said a new "Product

Activation" feature meant individual customers had to buy separate copies

of the software, activated by sending a code over the Internet when they first

installed the software.

But large companies can buy a corporate key, allowing them to install the

software on any number of machines, and pirates have been able to steal or buy

these keys.

"The professional editions on display come with a corporate key on the

back which unlocks the product activation device," said one vendor.

"It's obviously come from an OEM (original equipment manufacturer),

probably a PC manufacturer who has bought the right to install it on new

PCs."

Microsoft (Thailand) Limited managing director Peerapong Oeusoonthronwattana

told Reuters he was concerned by piracy but he knew pirates could circumvent the

new system's security features in a variety of ways.

"Product Activation is not a single silver bullet solution to

piracy," he said. "However, it is significantly more sophisticated

than past methods and is not easy for would-be casual copiers to

circumvent."

Thai police regularly crack down on software piracy, raiding shops selling

unauthorized goods and crushing illegal products with steamrollers or even with

elephants in public ceremonies. But officials admit they face an uphill task in

a country where it is often easier to pass a law than enforce it.

(C) Reuters Limited.