liamdaly Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 A computer user is suing Microsoft Corp. over the company's Windows Genuine Advantage anti-piracy tool, alleging that it violates laws against spyware. The suit by Los Angeles resident Brian Johnson, filed this week in U.S. District Court in Seattle, seeks class-action status for claims that Microsoft didn't adequately disclose details of the tool when it was delivered to PC users through the company's Automatic Update system. Windows Genuine Advantage is designed to check the validity of a computer user's copy of the operating system. But the tool became a subject of heightened controversy earlier this month, after PC users began noticing that it was making daily contact with Microsoft's servers without their knowledge, even if their software was valid. Full Article at Source Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
jwjw1 Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Class-Action Suit Let the Games Begin.... :yes: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654188 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Can ask I why so many people are fretting over this.... If you have a legal copy of Windows, then why worry so much ? All it's checking is whether Windows a legal or not..... Ok, fair enough, MS may have done this on the sly, but why worry so much ? It's not searching your HD for illegal content ! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
FryzDog Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 I can't wait to see where this goes. Anything that runs in the backround of my computer without me knowing is something that I don't want. I wish Microsoft would just accept the fact that their software will always be pirated. I do own a legal copy of windows though. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654210 Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3thal Veteran Posted June 29, 2006 Veteran Share Posted June 29, 2006 Anything that runs in the backround of my computer without me knowing is something that I don't want. Then you better throw your PC away. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654215 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Warwagon MVC Posted June 29, 2006 MVC Share Posted June 29, 2006 it would be funny that because he filed the law suite he is found to have an illegal version of windows and has to pay $100,000 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654216 Share on other sites More sharing options...
liamdaly Posted June 29, 2006 Author Share Posted June 29, 2006 I have a legal copy of xp too and tbh i dont care that it calls home, doesnt do me any harm... its not like searching for my personal information Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654217 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Then you better throw your PC away. This is what I was thinking - There are alot of things running on your PC without your knowledge, if your that scared, why have a PC in the first place ? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654220 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SYBINX Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Can ask I why so many people are fretting over this.... If you have a legal copy of Windows, then why worry so much ? All it's checking is whether Windows a legal or not..... Ok, fair enough, MS may have done this on the sly, but why worry so much ? It's not searching your HD for illegal content ! I can see the voice for concern over this and in one way I do agree with you, but the matter of the fact is Microsoft did not inform their end users of this which is why which has come about in the first place. Both my OS on my laptop and desktop are all genuine so I do not have a problem. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
liamdaly Posted June 29, 2006 Author Share Posted June 29, 2006 I think the people who are not running genuine copies are going to get more upset over it because they have something to hide Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654246 Share on other sites More sharing options...
aggrophobik Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 I think he's just trying to make a quick buck... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654254 Share on other sites More sharing options...
liamdaly Posted June 29, 2006 Author Share Posted June 29, 2006 I think he's just trying to make a quick buck... most likely, like warwagon said it would be hilarious if his copy isn't genuine Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654259 Share on other sites More sharing options...
SYBINX Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 I think the people who are not running genuine copies are going to get more upset over it because they have something to hide yeah loads of illegal software... :) Oh and off the topic your link to your forum is showing error 404... just thought i would mention it. :whistle: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654260 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stunna Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 I think he's just trying to make a quick buck... Truth Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654280 Share on other sites More sharing options...
EZRecovery Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 it would be funny that because he filed the law suite he is found to have an illegal version of windows and has to pay $100,000 I do not doubt he might be one of them. In this world, you hear weird sh*t happening everyday. /EZ Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654283 Share on other sites More sharing options...
disposition21 Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Bottom line is that they didn't put it in the EULA. That makes it spyware. There is no denying this. Fact is Microsoft screws everyone else, so now it is their turn. I hope the guy wins. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654291 Share on other sites More sharing options...
oddcrap Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 Another lawsuit against microsoft? They have the best defense attorneys in the world, when will people learn that nobody can defeat microsoft? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654293 Share on other sites More sharing options...
da13ro Posted June 29, 2006 Share Posted June 29, 2006 I dont think its exacly going to the point. I to have a legal copy of Windows, always have, and if MSFT asked me first before starting to contact home i would be happy for it to. Also, if other companies see Microsoft doing it...well does that make this ok? Other companies might just collect personal details and more? Sure it must be hard for software companies to keep track of there software i understand this, but keep looking for a different way MSFT sorry you dont have my support on this one. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654299 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 I can see the voice for concern over this and in one way I do agree with you, but the matter of the fact is Microsoft did not inform their end users of this which is why which has come about in the first place. Both my OS on my laptop and desktop are all genuine so I do not have a problem. Yeah, like I say, Microsoft did make this move on the sly, and although I do not agree with what they did, but for peeps with genuine copy's, they shouldn't have to worry to much - It's not monitoring what you do, all it's monitoring is whether you've paid for your copy of Windows. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654303 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evolution Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 Bottom line is that they didn't put it in the EULA. That makes it spyware. There is no denying this. Fact is Microsoft screws everyone else, so now it is their turn. I hope the guy wins. Did they put Paint in the EULA? It's not spyware... it's more like confirmware... they're just making sure you have a legal copy. There isn't much of a case... how is this actually harming the user's computer, data etc? They're not even getting statistical data off of your computer... Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654315 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 Did they put Paint in the EULA? It's not spyware... it's more like confirmware... they're just making sure you have a legal copy. There isn't much of a case... how is this actually harming the user's computer, data etc? They're not even getting statistical data off of your computer... This is exactly what i'm trying to say..... They are not gaining anything from what you do with your PC, they are only making sure that you paid for something that they have made ! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654322 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdb815 Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 There isn't much of a case... how is this actually harming the user's computer, data etc? Doesn't it delete all of your restore points before it installs? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654335 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chode Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 Anything that runs in the backround of my computer without me knowing is something that I don't want. Without the assistance of google or other sources, provide an intrinsicly detailed desription of each and every one of these processes. Then a detailed description of each and every dll in your system32 folder. Good luck. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654346 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaKeY Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 Ok, fair enough, MS may have done this on the sly, but why worry so much ? It's not searching your HD for illegal content ! Not that you know of anyway. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654347 Share on other sites More sharing options...
revvo Posted June 30, 2006 Share Posted June 30, 2006 most likely, like warwagon said it would be hilarious if his copy isn't genuine Many people who bought Windows can't get WGA to authenticate, isn't that like "wrong"?The problem here is not that what WGA does is necessarly bad but users have to be aware, through an EULA or some sort of documentation about what the software is doing. Does it say anywhere that WGA regularly contacts Microsoft? If it doesn't, then he still doesn't stand a chance (cause it's Microsoft) but it doesn't mean he's wrong. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/474492-microsoft-sued-over-windows-genuine-advantage/#findComment-587654359 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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