Internet users in China are railing against anti-piracy measures enforced by Microsoft, which disrupts the operation of computers it detects are running copied versions of Windows. The scheme is called Windows Genuine Advantage, and essentially disables a PC it judges to have failed a validation test by turning the screen blank.
According to Reuters, the vast majority of China’s 200 million computer users are though to have some form of pirated software installed.
The move has been hugely unpopular in the country, and some have questioned its legality.
Microsoft defends the initiative by stating on its website it is part of a “commitment to help protect its intellectual property and to help you avoid problems before they happen.”
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