Microsoft dodges a lawsuit

WINDOWS PC GORILLA Microsoft has dodged a lawsuit after having been accused of misleading consumers to install a Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) update on the pretence that it was a critical security update.

Arstechnica reports that a US federal judge threw out the case after Microsoft was given until February 12 to submit its expense list, saving Microsoft a fortune in potential damages. A spokesvole told Arstechnica, "we are pleased it was resolved successfully."

WGA had angered users back in 2006 when Microsoft was pushing it out to XP users, telling them it was a priority security update when it wasn't. Some of them pushed back, saying that WGA was actually more like spyware under the trades description act. A lawsuit followed with the plaintiffs demanding compensation and that Microsoft spell out exactly how WGA acted against any security risks.

WGA for XP and now Windows Activation Technology for Windows 7 are copyright protection measures used by Microsoft that lock down PCs running counterfeit operating systems.

The Vole is entitled take measures to protect its copyright licensing but that it did so by using subterfuge smacks of arrogance beyond the pale. µ