DigitMemo.com

Users of illegitimate versions of Windows XP Pro must pledge to use only genuine Microsoft software going forward and agree to have their software infrastructure audited

Under the plan, called Get Genuine Windows Agreement, software resellers can offer to their business customers a volume licensing contract that will allow them to replace fake or “mislicensed” copies of Windows XP Professional with legitimate versions.

To qualify, users of illegitimate versions of Windows XP Pro must pledge to use only genuine Microsoft software going forward and agree to have their software infrastructure audited. Once they bring undocumented copies of Windows XP Pro into compliance, program participants will have the option of enrolling the software into Microsoft’s Software Assurance program — which offers upgrades and support for an additional fee.

Resellers who push the Get Genuine Windows Agreement to customers will get a cut of any new license fees they generate, Microsoft said. The company did not disclose the cost of licenses to be sold under the program, but indicated that such licenses would be sold separately from existing volume licensing offers.

Microsoft estimates that 35% of all software in use around the world is stolen our counterfeited.