Microsoft is providing users with the means to turn their pirated copies of Windows into genuine products. However, the offer is only available for Windows XP, and not for Windows Vista. Users of pirated Windows are still Microsoft customers, in the company's perspective, although this might not always be the case. However, the company has poured a consistent amount of efforts into initiatives designed to protect both customers and partners from the inherent problems associated with counterfeit copies of the Windows operating system.

In this context, Microsoft has debuted a new licensing program designed to permit victims of software piracy to convert counterfeit Windows into a genuine and properly licensed operating system. The Get Genuine Windows Agreement (GGWA) introduced on October 2, 2007, comes to complement the Get Genuine Kit (GGK), which Microsoft has in place since mid 2006. One shortcoming of the licensing program is the fact that it is limited to the enterprise environment, and is not available to end users. An additional caveat is the fact that GGWA is limited to Windows XP. At this point in time, Microsoft indicated no signs that it plans to make the licensing program available for Windows Vista.

"We are listening to our customers and partners about what they need in terms of programs to help resolve licensing issues. With their feedback and the most recent technologies, we are actively developing licensing solutions such as GGK and GGWA that help customers who have unknowingly purchased counterfeit software or whose Microsoft Windows licensing needs to be made right. These programs provide businesses a simple way to acquire genuine Windows licenses of Windows XP software through their reseller and through volume licensing, which is the same way they generally acquire other software applications," explained Cori Hartje, director of Microsoft's Genuine Software Initiative.

Microsoft essentially makes it extremely easy for businesses to "turn themselves in" as Windows pirates. The company is offering corporate customers running counterfeit versions of Windows the chance to acquire a perpetual license for Windows XP Professional. Business customers running at least five copies of pirated Windows can opt to purchase legitimate licenses via Volume Licensing program from a reseller. The licensing process will enable corporate users to streamline the process of transitioning from running illegal copies of Windows to complete legalization.

"The Get Genuine Kit (GGK) can only be acquired through our resellers. The Get Genuine Windows Agreement (GGWA) will enable distributors, resellers, and LARs to expand their businesses by enabling them to sell scalable solutions through volume licensing. This enables them to address legalization requirements within their customer's existing environment. In addition, with GGWA they can offer customers our Software Assurance (SA) maintenance program within 90 days of the GGWA acquisition. Partners may also leverage software asset management (SAM) tools such as the Microsoft License Statement (MLS) and provide additional SAM consulting services", Hartje added.