Microsoft to replace counterfeit versions of XP for free

Apparently a spate of

fake versions of Windows XP are floating around, prompting Microsoft to initiate a program to identify counterfeit versions and replace them with authentic versions for free.

We believe the original PCWorld article misquotes Alex Hilton, license compliance manager at Microsoft U.K., who reportedly said "Companies that buy PCs with pirated software not only face legal concerns, but could find that their network security is compromised."

The quote should read: "Companies that buy PCs with legitimate Windows XP software... could find that their network security is compromised."

We also note that the counterfeit software dupes are characterized as "high-quality" fakes of Windows XP, which prompts the question: Just how easy is it to code this operating system, anyway??