Digital Home Thoughts: Windows Users in China Whine About Being Reminded They're Pirates

"A top Chinese copyright official chided Microsoft for launching an anti-piracy tool that nags users of counterfeit software with a black computer screen and said the company's prices were too high. The U.S. software giant launched "Windows Genuine Advantage" in China last week, a program that turns the background of the Windows operating system's desktop black if the software fails a validation test. The move prompted lawsuit threats and howls of indignation in China, where the vast majority of computer users are believed to be using pirated versions, unwittingly or not."

I have absolutely zero sympathy for people who buy pirate software and then get reminded of that fact. I realize that software has to be priced for the market in which it's being sold, and I'm not sure how smart Microsoft has been in that regard, but just because you can't afford something doesn't mean you have the right to pirate it. I'd love to drive an Audi R8, but that doesn't mean I have the right to steal one. The Reuters article has some amusing quotes that include one from a lawyer who claims Microsoft is abusing its monopoly position and should be fined 1 billion dollars. For what? Reminding people that they're using pirated software? Microsoft would be well within their rights to stop Windows from loading completely, giving users a few days to get all their data off their computer, but instead they're taking a much softer approach.

So there you have my hard-liner approach. What's your take on this? Is Microsoft within their rights here, or have they crossed the line?