Windows 10 not really free for pirates; site-blocking laws; ex-IT manager's bribery charge

Microsoft has clarified comments that users who pirated earlier versions of Windows will be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 10, indicating instead that those pirates will have access to a “non-genuine” version of the new operating system.

Reuters reported last week that Microsoft would be offering a free upgrade to Windows 10 to all Windows users, regardless of whether they were using genuine copies of the operating system.

“We are upgrading all qualified PCs, genuine and non-genuine, to Windows 10,” Microsoft’s Terry Myerson was quoted as saying at the time. He said the plan was to “re-engage” with users of Windows in China.

In January, the company reportedly said it would offer free upgrades to Windows 10 to users of Windows 7 or later. Myerson’s statement last week appeared to indicate that those who had pirated the software could expect a free upgrade, too.

Microsoft later issued a statement to clarify its position, saying: “With Windows 10, although non-Genuine PCs may be able to upgrade to Windows 10, the upgrade will not change the genuine state of the license. Non-Genuine Windows is not published by Microsoft.

“It is not properly licensed, or supported by Microsoft or a trusted partner. If a device was considered non-genuine or mislicensed prior to the upgrade, that device will continue to be considered non-genuine or mislicensed after the upgrade,” the statement went on.

Exactly what will be different between a genuine and non-genuine version of the Windows 10 upgrade is not clear at this point. At the very least, Microsoft’s clarification seems to indicate that those with pirated versions of an earlier version of Windows, who then get the update to Windows 10, won’t receive support from Microsoft for Windows 10.

When Ars Technica contacted Microsoft for further clarification on genuine vs non-genuine Windows 10, Microsoft replied: “We don’t have anything further to share outside of the statement at the moment.”

Microsoft also clarified to ZDNet that the plan to offer the upgrade to users of non-genuine versions of Windows applied to all markets, not just China.

Despite these multiple clarifications, there’s still confusion about Microsoft’s position. ZDNet has a piece speculating on exactly which versions of the OS will be eligible for the free upgrade, for example.

Site-blocking laws to hit parliament

The Australian federal government will this week introduce legislation into parliament that, if passed, will allow content owners to apply for court orders to force ISPs to block overseas file-sharing websites.

The ‘Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Bill’ was cleared for introduction into parliament by the Coalition last week, ITnews reported.

A spokesperson for Attorney-General George Brandis said that the Bill is expected to be referred to the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for review, according to ITnews.

“There will be adequate time for consultation and for people to make submissions throughout this process,” the website quoted the spokesperson as saying.

However, the website also quoted Comms Alliance CEO John Stanton as saying that it was “disappointing” that the industry hadn’t been consulted on the Bill prior to its impending introduction.

According to ZDnet, the Bill won’t be passed before the next Budget.

Ex-IT manager charged with bribery

A former IT manager at the Commonwealth Bank has been arrested and charged with bribery offences.

Keith Hunter, who is a US national living in Sydney, was arrested in Surry Hills last Tuesday, Fairfax reported.

Hunter was charged with two counts of bribery and pleaded not guilty to those charges, according to the ABC.

Hunter’s arrest followed an investigation involving NSW Police and the US’s FBI.

According to the ABC, police allege that Hunter and another former IT manager at the Commonwealth Bank granted a contract to a company in the US in return for bribes.

Image courtesy Jennifer Gensch under CC