Thai computer users are buying thousands of pirated copies of Microsoft's new Windows XP operating system a week ahead of its official launch in Thailand.
Bill Gates said today Microsoft had sold seven million copies of Windows XP in the first fortnight.
Shops at Bangkok's Pantip Plaza said pirates had found ways of getting around the new operating system's security features. One shop owner said he had been selling hundreds of copies a day for the past three weeks.
Hundreds of copies were on display at 120 baht ($2.70) each at stalls. Licensed home and office versions in the United States retail at between $99 and $199.
The official launch of Microsoft XP in Thailand is scheduled for November 17th. Bill Gates said today Microsoft had sold seven million copies of Windows XP worldwide in the past fortnight.
Pirates have found ways to circumvent the system's security features, including the Product Activation feature, which means individuals have to buy separate copies of the software, activated by sending a code over the Internet when they first installed the software.
Large companies can buy a corporate key, allowing them to install the software on any number of machines, and pirates have been able to steal or buy these keys.
Shop owners said the key probably came from a PC manufacturer who has bought the right to install it on new PCs.
Thai police regularly crack down on software piracy, raiding shops selling unauthorised goods and crushing illegal products with steamrollers or even elephants in public ceremonies.