Real Microsoft software has a holographic seal, and these guys needed one to match. But when they tried to procure the 3-D images, the scam began to unravel. Meanwhile, the hologram did just what it was supposed to - protect Microsoft's software from being counterfeited. The hologram even helped police catch the bad guys. A corporate good luck amulet for the 21st century, the mini-image triumphed.
Holograms are deceptive little things.
But don't dismiss them as nothing more than a pretty picture. Holograms are one of the best security devices ever invented. Their laser images are extremely difficult to duplicate, requiring expensive equipment, technical know-how, and artistic skill. That's why companies are commissioning them like hotcakes these days and slapping them onto everything from credit cards to new CDs. And, of course, computer software.