Computerworld — Microsoft Corp. today announced it was expanding an antipiracy program for Office to the U.S., the U.K. and 11 other countries that will identify pirated copies of the suite and nag users with on-screen messages.

The expansion follows a pilot program Microsoft launched in four countries in April 2008, then extended to an additional 24. This is the first time, however, that Microsoft has asked U.S. users to install a notifications component that pesters users if it determines the copy of Office is illegitimate.

Microsoft said the download of the notification component was "voluntary," and that it has started to push the software to users today. Because the program is launching over several months, not everyone will see it immediately.

For Windows XP users, the update is marked "High Priority" in the list generated when they retrieve downloads from Microsoft Update; Vista users see it tagged as "Important." Even if users have Automatic Updates set to download and install all updates, the notifications software requires users to accept an End User License Agreement (EULA) before it will install.

However, once it's downloaded and installed, the new notifications application cannot be uninstalled.

The notifications component that Microsoft is pitching is separate from the companion validations element: The former posts periodic messages on the screens of PCs running illegal copies of Office, while the latter determines if the software is legitimate.

At one time, Office users had to validate their copies in order to access add-ons, such as free Office 2007 templates, and to use Office Update, an Office-only service that was just terminated in favor of the combination Windows-Office service dubbed "Microsoft Update."

Last spring, Microsoft dropped those requirements, and allowed users running counterfeit copies to download add-ons. With the disappearance of Office Update earlier this month, all users can grab security and bug-fix updates via Microsoft Update, regardless of the status of their software.

According to Microsoft's support site, Office Genuine Advantage Notifications software puts up a message when a pirated copy is launched. "This copy of Microsoft Office is not genuine," the message reads. "Please excuse this interruption. This copy of Microsoft Office did not pass validation. Click Learn More for details and for help identifying the best way to get genuine Microsoft Office."

Microsoft also adds a message-bearing toolbar to Office XP and Office 2003, and adds a similar message to the "ribbon" interface of Office 2007. "This copy of Office is not genuine. Click here to learn more," the toolbar and ribbon messages read.

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