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20 MAXIMUMPC JUNE 2007
Our consumer advocate investigates...
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Simon, watchdog of the monthOur consumer advocate investigates...
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Simon,1
A retail copy of Microsoft Vista comes in a plastic box
with one curved corner. Microsoft says the design is
difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce using generic plastic
packaging. You should look closely at the typography on the
box. Counterfeiters usually get it about 80 percent correct, but
they often blow something pretty obvious. Compare the fonts
and text placement to our example to spot a forgery. Low-
quality print jobs are also a telltale sign of a counterfeit.2
The certificate of authenticity features a “porthole;” running across it is a metallic thread
that reads “OUR PASSION” and “MICROSOFT” in red. Microsoft says that if you tear the
edge of the COA, the thread should be interwoven into the label, not just printed on top. Use the
same judgment when looking at the COA as you did when looking at the packaging. Sometimes
simple errors, such as misspelling “Microsoft,” can give away a counterfeit.3
The Vista DVD features a sophisticated
anticounterfeiting design with a perim-
eter hologram. In the past, counterfeiters have
simulated the hologram with stickers. These
stickers, however, don’t change when the disc
is tilted. On an authentic disc, you cannot peel
off the hologram, and you can see the words
“Windows Vista” in the background as you tilt
the disc; you should also see a wavelike effect
on the surface.
Our disc features additional anticounter-
feiting tools at the three, six, nine, and twelve
o’clock positions, but their locations can
change. So even though we refer to particular
positions, don’t be alarmed if your stereograms
are in different areas on the disc.
At the three and nine o’clock positions,
you can find the dynamic stereograms. These
are actually 3D holograms with the Windows
flag at the center. As you tilt the disc, the flag
changes color. The text surrounding the flag
should say “VISTA Genuine.”
At the six and twelve o’clock positions,there are two security patches. If you
have a real disc, they will have the word
“Microsoft” on them; as you tilt the disc, it
should change to “GENUINE.” The circular
object is the world with North America
and the Atlantic Ocean visible and a
stripe made up of 1s and 0s.
Microsoft also has interactive tools
on its website that can help you if you
are unsure whether your copy is legit
at http://www.microsoft.com/resources/
howtotell.
If you have a bum copy, you can
call Microsoft’s piracy hotline: 1-800-
RU-LEGIT. The company won’t send you
a free copy, but at least you’ll tip off its
stable of lawyers.
The best way to avoid getting burned,
though, is to buy software from legitimate
stores. That doesn’t mean you have to shop
at big-box retailers. If your local PC store has
been in business for some time and sells you
a bum copy, it may exchange the disc for thegenuine article. Counterfeit copies can look so
realistic even legit small stores are duped by
them on occasion.IT’S THAT COUNTERFEITING
TIME OF THE YEAR
Microsoft isn’t the only company running its
DVD presses full time to make enough copies of
Windows Vista to satisfy the masses; during new
OS launches, counterfeiters usually crawl out of the
muck to hawk their wares.
Unlike people who sell or give away obviously
pirated software, counterfeiters design their wares
to convince people they’re legit—legit enough for
you to, say, pay $150 for a copy of Windows Vista
Ultimate. Once you’ve purchased the software, it
might install and work just fine for a few weeks, but
in all likelihood, it’s a heartbeat away from being
turned off by Microsoft for not being genuine. And
by that time, it’s usually too late for you to go back
and demand a refund.
And no matter what sob story you have about
being taken in by counterfeiters, Microsoft has
heard it before, and the company’s only fix is for you
to buy a real copy of Windows Vista. How do you
keep from being victimized? It’s actually not that
hard to tell the genuine article from a fake. Here’s
the Dog’s five-minute rundown on what to look for.have a real disc, they will have the word
“Microsoft” on them; as you tilt the disc, it
should change to “GENUINE.” The circularThe best way to avoid getting burned,
though, is to buy software from legitimate
stores. That doesn’t mean you have to shop