A key code for installing Microsoft's Windows Server 2003 has leaked onto the Internet, a loss that could lead to widespread piracy of the software.
A Microsoft representative confirmed the leak late Monday and said Microsoft was investigating the matter. The leak comes more than two weeks before the software's scheduled release on April 24. The leaked code appears to be from a Microsoft corporate customer that subscribes to one of the company's volume-licensing programs, the representative said. Rumors circulating on enthusiast Web sites, such as Neowin and WinBeta, identified the leak as a 3-in-1 code, meaning that it would work with three different versions of Windows Server 2003. The Microsoft representative made clear that the company will scour the Internet looking for the leaked code. "Our legal department works aggressively on that kind of thing," the representative said. Stolen codes are often traded with the software, typically on Web sites, newsgroups or Internet Relay Chat (IRC). The leaked code casts an unexpected shadow over the launch of Windows Server 2003. Microsoft is banking on the thrice-delayed operating system to increase its penetration into the enterprise market. But the stolen code show the difficulty the company faces in protecting its valuable intellectual property and potential sales from thieves. The use of the code is a two-step process and it is the second one that will cause Microsoft the most problems, analysts say. The code is first used to install the software and is then used to activate the software with Microsoft via the Internet. Source: News.com
A Microsoft representative confirmed the leak late Monday and said Microsoft was investigating the matter. The leak comes more than two weeks before the software's scheduled release on April 24. The leaked code appears to be from a Microsoft corporate customer that subscribes to one of the company's volume-licensing programs, the representative said. Rumors circulating on enthusiast Web sites, such as Neowin and WinBeta, identified the leak as a 3-in-1 code, meaning that it would work with three different versions of Windows Server 2003. The Microsoft representative made clear that the company will scour the Internet looking for the leaked code. "Our legal department works aggressively on that kind of thing," the representative said. Stolen codes are often traded with the software, typically on Web sites, newsgroups or Internet Relay Chat (IRC). The leaked code casts an unexpected shadow over the launch of Windows Server 2003. Microsoft is banking on the thrice-delayed operating system to increase its penetration into the enterprise market. But the stolen code show the difficulty the company faces in protecting its valuable intellectual property and potential sales from thieves. The use of the code is a two-step process and it is the second one that will cause Microsoft the most problems, analysts say. The code is first used to install the software and is then used to activate the software with Microsoft via the Internet. Source: News.com
