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Vista Pirates To Get "Black Screen of Darkness"

Posted by kdawson on from the there-goes-china dept.

jcatcw writes "Microsoft has just turned on Reduced Functionality mode, worldwide, and sent a letter to OEMs explaining the consequences of Vista piracy. These include a black screen after 1 hour of browsing, no start menu or task bar, and no desktop. Using fear as a motivator, the email warns resellers to 'make sure your customers always get genuine Windows Vista preinstalled.'"

1 of 873 comments (clear)

  1. "Copyright infringement". by khasim · · Score: 0, Redundant

    ...this is theft - ok maybe not legally...

    Actually, it's "copyright infringement".

    The question is, should Microsoft then deny the victim any security updates? I can see turning the screen black and such. I have no problem with Microsoft denying the USER any functionality.

    But denying security updates just means that OTHER people will suffer when that box is cracked.

    Microsoft has some pretty smart people working there. I'm sure that they could come up with a way that would demonstrate to the user AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE whether their copy was legitimate or not AND REGISTER IT TO THAT USER.