SRS -

The program has been around for quite a while, apparently. I haven't run into it because it previously has been made known only to (some of) those who ran into a validation problem.

It apparently has NOT been consistently made known to people who had a validation problem, since at least one person has reported being told a copy was counterfeit who was not directed to the remedies.

The new change is that all who access the Microsoft update site for patches can expect to be checked, and that there is an identifiable link to the "get real" program so that those who were scammed have a way of following up and finding out whether they can do something other than "go buy a new one."

There is, incidentally, the implication that the "checker" will be frequently updated, so that those who prefer to use stolen copies may find the need to update the "workarounds" occasionally.

Since some people with counterfeits apparently weren't being made aware of the recovery options, and since the recovery plan is now openly and publicly available, I felt that people should know where to find the information - just in case they, or a friend, should run into the problem. The "new" is that now everybody may know.

John