Microsoft is planning to deliver on October 1 to third-party software developers a set of technologies that will allow them to add code protection and activation mechanisms to their own software.

When Microsoft first unveiled its “Genuine Software” initiative three years ago, company officials said they planned to license to third parties some of the same anti-piracy technologies that Microsoft was baking into Windows and Office. Instead, Microsoft has decided to provide external developers with a separate, parallel offering, said Group Product Manager Thomas Lindeman.

Microsoft to offer code protection, validation to other software developers