Because Microsofts claims where not about a illegal distribution of windows and it's a modified copy but not a cracked copy. (Still illegal). This means it was

Because Microsofts claims where not about a illegal distribution of windows and it's a modified copy but not a cracked copy. (Still illegal). This means it was just a easy way to run a modified windows which still required a working license key. Or at least that is the point the article is making.