Windows 7 Pirate Marketing

Microsoft has tried some unique (and not so unique) marketing strategies that have received mixed (to be polite) reviews. The Seinfeld/Gates commercials didn't last long, and the Mojave (aka Vista Candid Camera) Experiment certainly never warmed the general populace up to Vista. And while we acknowledge that the leaked version of Windows 7 beta wasn't a Microsoft idea, could it be in their best interest?



As you've likely heard, a rogue copy of Windows 7 beta, build 7000 to be specific, has found itself commandeered by pirates and is available through BitTorrent. The torrent is a disk image of the ISO, and has been "shared" with thousands. Folks who have seen and tried the (illegal) copy have reached some obvious conclusions:

• It's better than Vista


• The icon-only Taskbar is nice, but may not be used


• It's fun to get an OS before its scheduled release...


• Especially if it's free

Again, we're not suggesting some sort of conspiracy theory (there's enough of that going on with the Microsoft Zune 30GB crash), but wouldn't this have been an ingenious way for Microsoft to get some free publicity, hype, and traction?

We doubt that many of the bootleg beta testers will be filling out reports and letting Microsoft know what bugs they find, but the blog community should provide plenty of constructive criticism if Microsoft is willing is listen. And what better way to get people interested in a new operating system (and forget about the old) than to have it be prohibited? Nothing entices early adoption better than illegal inquisition.

The legitimate beta version of Windows 7 is schedule to be released early in 2009, with an actual release about a year away. The OS will offer touch screen and portable possibilities, less resource demands, and most importantly, won't be Vista.

Still no word from Microsoft about who leaked Windows 7 (maybe their new Zune Xbox designer is behind it AND the 30GB Zune Crash?!), or if beta release plans have changed. Maybe we'll hear about it at CES next week, or maybe we'll uncover some sort of piracy marketing. Either way, we'll keep you posted, as we have in these related technology news posts:

HP Server Brings Mac & PC Together

Which Netbook OS: Windows and Penguins and Deserts, O'My

New Palm Nova Operating System

Windows 7's WARP Makes Graphics Cards Unnecessary