Microsoft Vista locks pirates out of PCs

Windows Vista will contain new antipiracy technology that locks people out of their PCs if the operating system isn't activated within 30 days after installation. 

If Vista is not activated with a legitimate product registration key in time, the system will run in "reduced functionality mode" until it is activated, said Thomas Lindeman, a senior product manager at Microsoft. In this mode, people will be able to use a Web browser for up to an hour, after which time the system will log them out, he said.