You know, since alot of you are talking about Corporate licensing (most, not all), there is such a thing as the Open Licesing model. This DOES NOT include the Activation feature. Yes, this might be the most widely warez'd version of XP, but it is available. Now, this will not be available to the general public, as to qualify you need to purchase at least 5 licenses.
Most, if not all, of the "I hate MS" is coming from the GNL/Open Source communities. I do not fully support Microsoft in how they conduct a business, but they are a business. Do I think that the activation feature is invasion of my privacy, HELL F'n NO. I worry more about the local DMV scandles rather than MS taking the serial number of my HD or video card. Come one people. Grow up. This is not 1984. And for all of you non-itellect people out there, 1984 was a book written by George Orwell about the Big Brother syndrom.