Windows 8 sales threatened by Internet piracy

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Even to this day, it's no myth that software pirates give nightmares to the industry. Software major Microsoft's much touted Windows 8 is no exception to it. Blame it on lacuna or technological misfortune!

Plagued by the Internet menace, the software sector has always been in doldrums. This time around, the availability of Windows 8 over the www.piratesbay.ae, for free download, has left Microsoft red faced.

32-bit and 64-bit Windows 8 Professional are up on Pirates Bay with keys, generated by the activator tool. Offering anonymous services, auxiliary Websites such as www.bothsidesofthetable.com too have added to the woes of Windows 8 maker.

Speaking to CIOL, a seventh grade student of Varanasi's reputed school said that it's handy to download Windows 8 for free. "I have downloaded it via µTorrent- a BitTorrent client, which is a prerequisite to download it from Pirates Bay," he said. However, PC compatibility is core.

Ironically, Delhi's software market Nehru Place too gets acquainted with illegitimate copies of Windows 8, at a modest Rs 200 each. To a query, a pirated software seller Sachit (name changed) told, "We have sold many Windows 8 copies. You can get the complete version for not less than Rs 200."

Microsoft has recently revealed that it has sold more than 600 million Windows 7 licenses, while Windows 8 sales projection get mixed response from the analysts. With this double whammy, will the software giant be able to outdo Windows 7 figure?