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Linguist Tweaks MS For Redefining "Genuine"

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the words-mean-exactly-what-i-want-them-to-mean dept.

crazybilly writes, "The Language Log, home blog for several professional linguists, posted a story a few days ago about how Microsoft is redefining the word 'genuine' (as in the 'Microsoft Genuine Software Initiative') in an attempt to increase public sympathy for their anti-piracy efforts. From the article: 'An unlicensed copy of Microsoft Windows is perfectly genuine. It has exactly the same functionality as a licensed copy and was made by the same company... I suspect that Microsoft is attempting to redefine "genuine" because it has had a hard time getting sympathy for its actual complaint, namely unlicensed distribution.'"

6 of 346 comments (clear)

  1. Genuine? by mkosmo · · Score: 5, Interesting
    From Dictionary.com:
    genuine
    -adjective
    1.possessing the claimed or attributed character, quality, or origin; not counterfeit; authentic; real: genuine sympathy; a genuine antique.
    Thus, Microsoft I guess has some legitimacy in using the word Genuine. However the word leaves some room for pirated copies to qualify. Perhaps Microsoft shou ld have chosen a better word for their test? It seems unfair that a private com pany should be able to bend language to their will to mislead consumers... which should be illegal. On the other hand, "origin"... manufacturer? I think it su its well enough as-is. Otherwise the definition of "Genuine" will be as long as the MS EULA.
    1. Re:Genuine? by rackhamh · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'm surprised you didn't quote the second definition of "genuine" from Dictionary.com:

      Not spurious or counterfeit; authentic.

      And the definition of counterfeit?

      To make a copy of, usually with the intent to defraud; forge:

      Inasmuch as pirated copies of Windows are fraudulent copies, they are NOT genuine. It doesn't take a linguist to understand this. Just goes to show you that claiming authority in a given field doesn't make it so.

    2. Re:Genuine? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If you steal the plates, paper, and inks that make 100 dollar bills and you roll off several thousand of them for yourself, are those bills genuine or counterfeit?

      Process is every much as much part of geniuneness as material. At any rate, the certificate and license key that comes with an unauthorized copy of windows isn't genuine, no matter how you slice it.

      Methinks the intellectual rigor of our cunning linguist friend doesn't quite meet Webster's second definition of genuine: Free from hypocrisy or pretense.

    3. Re:Genuine? by Alef · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Suppose I buy one license of windows, and get an install CD with it. Then use the CD to install windows on two computers. You're saying one copy now isn't genuine. Which one is the counterfeit?


      Remember, the discussion isn't about whether I should be allowed to do that or not (that is where you would be going off topic). It is about semantics.

  2. Nice Try, But No by Effugas · · Score: 5, Informative

    A couple years ago, we saw the first "pre-infected" Windows CDs show up on peer to peer networks...they had extra keys added to the cert store, so essentially attackers could come in remotely and securely authenticate against pirated builds of Windows. Apparently, this has become much more common, with many builds on P2P networks going so far as to be pre-infected with malware.

    On the flip side, some of the pirated DVDs floating around out there are well known for just being very fast and easy to install on random hardware; especially for system builders, going from nothing to a completely installed Windows system with XPSP2 and Office in twenty minutes is a big deal even if the system is ultimately shipped with legitimate licenses.

    Ultimately though we're talking about the use of the word Genuine. Sinec there's a tangible and measureable difference between the legitimate builds (less likely to be pre-0wned, more likely to be easy to install) vs. the pirated editions, I'd say there's a hat to hang the "genuine" phrase on, at least from a linguistic perspective.

  3. He picked the wrong word by futuresheep · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I would think that the way they've redefined the word "Advantage", as in "Windows Genuine Advantage" would be a bigger worry.

    But that's just me...