Microsoft originally claimed Windows 7 or 8 pirates would be able to pick-up a free version of Windows 10 when it launches this summer but has backtracked on that statement, now claiming a "mechanism" will be added allowing the user to pay for Windows 10. 

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This mechanism will be on all Windows 10 packages, meaning even users in China will have to pay for access. This might seem like the right way to go to maintain price effectiveness, but it may reduce the number of people willing to move to Windows 10.

It's not clear how manyWindows 7 or 8 customers have pirated the operating system, but considering it takes less than five minutes to create a security key online, we suspect it's a large number.

Add the fact Microsoft often times finds itself in troughs where customers won't move from the newest Windows platform, it could be disastrous to fight against piracy in this day and age.

It might sound odd to let pirates go but when it's offering Windows 7 and 8 customers free access, perhaps Microsoft should look the other way as to whether the Windows copy is genuine or not.

Microsoft still hasn't revealed what the mechanism is that will stop pirates from getting a free version of Windows 10. It could be a trial version of the OS -- in the hopes the pirates pay up after 30 days -- or something even more devious.

Whatever the case, people aren't too happy paying for software nowadays. All mobile platforms offer free updates and in 2013 Apple announced free updates on Mac OS X from now on.

TagsPiracy, Windows 8