Windows 7: Product Key-Based Software Validation & Activation

A posting to establish my standing as the originator of the Product Key-based software validation as used my Windows 7, Office, Adobe et. al.

The blatant abuse taking place, as I write, with folks glibly installing pirated versions of Windows 7 and getting bona fide updates from Microsoft is beginning to bother me on multiple fronts.

In the end, I guess, what irks me is that it is thieving.

Right now I can honestly say that we don’t have ANY non-legit pieces of software on any of our 6 machines. After 40 years of dealing with computer, or maybe BECAUSE of that, I am paranoid what companies could do to ME with software!

But, before I start agitating about pirated versions of Windows 7, I need to establish my credentials, show that I have some skin in this game and demonstrate that I do know what I am talking about.

I have mentioned a couple of times that way back in 1978, while working for IBM (at their Hursley Lab. in the U.K.), I came up with the notion of ‘serial number’ based software validation.

Here is the original link at www.guruge.com justifying this claim.

Here is a list of links to documents, some from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office related to granted patents, that mention ME, by NAME, with my 1978 IBM Technical Disclosure as a basis.

OK?

1. Patent for ‘Software protection methods and apparatus.’ Patent # 4,525,599.  My name appears under ‘Other References.’
2. Patent for ‘Security system for microcomputers.’ Patent # 4,757,533.  My name appears under ‘Other References.’
3. Patent for ‘Code protection using cryptography.’ Patent # 4,757,534.  My name appears under ‘Other References.’
4. Patent for ‘ Computer system for preventing copying of program from a storage medium by modifying the program using a unique key.’ Patent # 4,835,682.  My name appears under ‘Other References.’
5. Patent for ‘Method and apparatus for preventing copying of an optical disk.’ Patent # 4,975,898.  My name appears under ‘Other References.’
6. Another link to patent ‘1.’ above which has my name right on the front page.

OK?

To me thieving is thieving. Yes, it is difficult to think of MSN as a victim but nonetheless it is thieving.

I have a friend, who over the course of 20 years, has declared bankruptcy TWICE! He defaulted on $4M to J.P. Morgan. He thinks it is kind of funny. He, a very nice guy, cannot for the world of him understand or appreciate that that is also thieving.

Just because you steal from a corporation or a bank that doesn’t make it different.

IF you will glibly install a pirated copy of Windows 7, without any compunction, you will, if need arises, steal directly from me — even put a gun to my head and demand my ATM card.

As the saying goes we have already established that ‘you are a whore,’ all we are now doing is trying to determine YOUR price. So that is my issue.

More later. But, as you can tell, I am not amused. Pirating Windows 7, casually declaring bankruptcy and calmly letting your house go into foreclosure are all but various forms of thieving. You have taken money or assets from somebody against their will. It may look different to breaking and entering, but the crime is THE SAME.

Sorry. I am no angel. But, thieving bothers me. Sorry.

All the best.

Anura Guruge
www.guruge.com