How easy is it to rip off Windows XP?

Kelly McNeill writes “Microsoft has won mostly scorn for the new licensing and registration programs that will be required for Windows XP, the company’s newest operating system that launches this week. But will XP be any harder to crack than Microsoft’s previous software? Analysts say the company’s validation process, which offers longer contracts with included software and license upgrades, will probably be effective in fighting piracy when paired with new rules set forth in the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). However, the licensing program is also being called somewhat clumsy, and observers say that all software sold by any vendor is likely to get ripped off.”