Windows key leak threatens mass piracy
C|Net | at | by Mike
A key code for installing Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 has leaked onto the Internet, a loss that could lead to widespread piracy of the software. A Microsoft representative confirmed the leak late Monday and said Microsoft was investigating the matter. The leak comes more than two weeks before the software's scheduled release on April 24. The leaked code appears to be from a Microsoft corporate customer that subscribes to one of the company's volume-licensing programs, the representative said.
The Microsoft representative made clear that the company will scour the Internet looking for the leaked code. "Our legal department works aggressively on that kind of thing," the representative said. Stolen codes are often traded with the software, typically on Web sites, newsgroups or Internet Relay Chat (IRC).