Microsoft tells Hackers to Drop That Code
Microsoft tells Hackers to Drop Code
Microsoft Corp. is warning the online community to keep its hands off
purloined Windows source code.
The company on Tuesday confirmed it had sent legal warnings to some
persons who it said had downloaded the stolen code from the Internet.
Source code from Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 2000 was posted on the
Internet on Thursday, and Microsoft Corp. said at the time that it had
initiated internal and external investigations.
Redmond, Wash.-based Microsoft declined to specify the contents or the
distribution of its warning message. But according to a report filed
on Steven Bink's and Ryan Hoffman's Amsterdam-based Bink.nu site,
Microsoft warned at least one recipient that he was in violation of
copyright laws.
"The unauthorized copying and distribution of Microsoft's protected
source code is a violation of both civil and criminal copyright and
trade secret laws," Bink.nu quotes the notice as reading. "If you have
downloaded and are making the source code available for downloading by
others, you are violating Microsoft's rights, and could be subject to
severe civil and criminal penalties."
The letter then demands that persons in possession of the source code
stop sharing the code, destroy copies and inform Microsoft of the
origin of the copy.
Bink said the recipient of the letter had downloaded the leaked code
through a peer-to-peer network that had automatically shared his copy.
Microsoft traced him through that channel, he said. Microsoft sent the
letter to his Internet Service Provider, which then forwarded the
e-mail message.
The legal message continues: "Microsoft takes these issues very
seriously, and will pursue legal action against individuals who take
part in the proliferation of it source code. We look forward to your
prompt cooperation. Should you need to contact me, I can be reached at
the address above"
Microsoft spokesman Tom Pilla confirmed that the company had sent out
the cease-and-desist notices since the Windows code began appearing on
Thursday, but he declined to provide any further details.
"We are obviously taking all appropriate legal actions to protect our
intellectual property," he said.
Besides the illegal receipt of copyrighted materials, persons
downloading the source code—especially developers—could face other
problems, legal experts said. Individuals examining the Windows code
could face charges of trade-secret violations and infringement of
software patents.
