Microsoft's upcoming Windows Vista operating system will have all-new anti-piracy features, according to the software giant. In a move obviously designed to prevent as much theft of the new operating system as possible, Microsoft will add "limited functionality" to Windows Vista. Meaning, if users do not "activate" the software within 30 days of the original installation, Windows Vista will run in a reduced state mode.

The functionality gives customers a sort of grace period to letting Microsoft know that the recently installed copy of Windows Vista is a legitimate copy. This new Microsoft's technology is part of its "Software Protection Platform," which Ole' Softie announced Wednesday. Soon, this new anti-piracy technology will be part of all future versions of Microsoft products.

What is new about this anti-piracy technology from Microsoft? Details are sketchy from what I can tell, but I'll be looking deeper. The "Windows Activation" process that was unveiled as the anti-piracy solution for Windows XP and then versions of Microsoft Office XP and Microsoft Office 2003 was easily thwarted after a very short time -- a fact that I was writing about back then.

Unfortunately, no anti-piracy effort is 100% foolproof, as determined software crackers will blow through just about anything. But, Microsoft should devote as many resources as possible to protecting its intellectual property on Windows Vista. That is, until piracy anti-solutions are deployed in a furious manner.