We reported some time ago that final betas of Microsoft XP software were cracked, de-activated and the packaging already copied and even as the firm spent millions on its launch last week, the wheels of software piracy were turning in Asia.
But it seems that the problem is far worse than we thought, according to an informant in mainland China. He tells the INQUIRER that he has been running WinXP Pro and Office XP developer just a day or two after it was released to the major Microsoft partners.
He adds that copies are being sold freely on the streets of Xiamen China, and have been for many weeks. According to our informant, the price of XP Pro, with serial and cracked activation, all self-installing is 75 cents US.