Microsoft Kills Two Birds With One Activation

Starting next week, the world's top 20 PC OEM's will activate Windows XP at the factory. That cuts the activation hassle for consumers, and reduces call center traffic for Microsoft from irate customers who have activation problems. The other, more hidden benefit to Microsoft is a built-in revenue protection program. This scheme makes it virtually impossible for an OEM to ship a system without paying license fees to Microsoft.

Peter S. Kastner