PC Manufacturers Tricked BIOS Copyright Strings for Full Editions of Trial Software

Understanding the Software Pre-Installation on New PCs

When acquiring a new personal computer, many users notice the inclusion of pre-installed software. Often, this software is activated without any extra charges, allowing users to access the full version seamlessly. This is typically a result of arrangements made by the PC manufacturer, who acts as a licensee for specific software titles. This practice serves not only as a competitive advantage for manufacturers but also enhances the appeal of their products to potential buyers.

A Glimpse into the Windows 95 Era

In the early days of computing, particularly during the Windows 95 launch, the landscape of software licensing was evolving. The operating system’s engineering team sought innovative solutions to identify computers manufactured before the introduction of the Plug and Play specification. One method involved scanning for copyright information and firmware dates embedded in the BIOS.

The Curious Case of the Copyright String

During their investigations, engineers stumbled upon an unusual copyright string: “Not Copyright Fabrikam Computer“.Surprisingly, this was found on a machine made by a company named Contoso—both of which are fictional names used for illustrative purposes. This discovery highlighted the lengths some manufacturers would go to in order to circumvent licensing restrictions.

Innovative Workarounds in Licensing

As detailed by Microsoft engineer Raymond Chen in an insightful blog post, the reason behind these peculiar copyright strings was a trial software packaged with Contoso PCs. The company aimed to activate the full version of the software for consumers without following proper licensing protocols. To do this, they cleverly modified the copyright string to read: “Copyright Contoso Not Copyright Fabrikam Computer“.This manipulation allowed the trial software to recognize the embedded string and inadvertently activate the full-featured version.

Lessons from the Past

While the industry has since adopted more stringent licensing measures, this anecdote serves as a fascinating reminder of the creative—if ethically questionable—strategies employed by OEMs in the past. It opens up a dialogue about the balance between innovative practices and compliance within the software licensing landscape.

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