Let's see, because it's a lot harder to replace your OS than it is to replace, say, your AV software? Or because in the consumer market place, there aren't that many applications that expressly reserve the right to phone home every now and then, in a 'Just Checking...' frame of mind? Or could it be that MS treats their paying customers like thieves?
The fact is that if you display trust in people and don't try to rip them off, the trust you display will be amply merited. As an example, see magnatunes.com, an indie music seller, who sets a minimum price on albums ($5.00) and a suggested price ($8.00). Half of the money you pay goes to the artist, and you can listen to the music (with no restrictions) before you buy it. The store asks you to give away 3 copies of the music.
Guess what? The average sale for an album brings in in the region of $9.00 (I'm sorry, I've lost the source for that figure...) - a dollar more than the recommended price, and 4 dollars more than the minimum price...

While I'm not suggesting that MS stops charging for its softs and sets up a tip jar, maybe they should consider fair pricing, fair use and fair contracts. That might just solve the piracy problem...



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