As part of a list of predictions for 2007, research firm IDC said Microsoft's client operating system anti-piracy efforts will backfire in 2007. Instead of stamping out software piracy, the campaign will drive customers toward a Linux desktop, said the Framingham, Mass.-based research firm.
The anti-piracy program, called Genuine Microsoft Software, weeds out users with unlicensed versions of Windows. When users log into the Microsoft Web page, they are prompted for an OEM license number to validate their version of Windows. If the number is accepted, users obtain access to additional Microsoft services and products, many of which are free.