Microsoft boosts bottom line by sinking Windows pirates
Seattle PI | at | by Mike
Microsoft's recent jump in Windows sales can be traced in part to a basic concept -- getting more people who use its programs to pay for them.
The company says efforts to curb software piracy have added to its revenue in each of its last two quarters, helping it exceed Wall Street's expectations. One analyst says the trend may add a cumulative total of more than $1 billion to Microsoft's PC Windows revenue over five years.
It's not without risk for the company. Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy tool has irked some PC users by mistakenly tagging their authentic copies as counterfeit. And in countries with high piracy rates, crackdowns could cause people to opt for free or low-cost alternatives, such as the Linux operating system.