Microsoft' latest move to stem piracy of its products has extended to disabling a product key that allowed OEMs to automatically activate Microsoft software. It will now be necessary for users to call in and answer a series of questions to have the product activated. This is expected to generate an increased number of consumer calls for OEMs.
"This will be tough on the home users. It won't play well at all with consumers."
"[OEMs] will have to communicate up front and in a clear manner with purchasers what they must do to activate the product." - Panda Software CTO Patrick Hinojosa.