There are probably be lots of people out there that might, just might, be using a program or two without completely legally purchased serial codes (hey, it could happen). But when software piracy touches those products and people dearest to our hearts, the reaction is different.

And so the understandable hue and cry in the community over Halo 2; apparently a French-language PAL version has been leaked onto the Internet 27 days prior to the game's official release date, according to GameSpot. We won't tell you where, so don't ask. All we do ask is that you reward Bungie for their hard work in the way which is most fitting: if you play the game, pay for it, the way Bungie intended: after the release date, and through a legal channel. 'Nuff said.

UPDATE: BDGamer carries a report of a purportedly official response to the Halo 2 leak from Microsoft. From that statement:

Microsoft has learned that a version of Halo 2 has been posted to various newsgroups and web sites. We consider downloading this code or making it available for others to download as theft. We are currently investigating the source of this leak with the appropriate authorities. Pending the result of our investigation, we do not have further comment. Microsoft takes the integrity of its intellectual property extremely seriously, and we are aggressively pursuing the source of this illegal act.

The launch of Halo 2 worldwide remains unaffected.

We're asking anyone with information on the source of this leak to contact Microsoft at 1-800-RULEGIT or send email to piracy@microsoft.com.

In addition, HBO has now also posted on the leak, and reminded everyone that like any other warez or warez-derived materials, links to the leak, or screens, descriptions or other information gained from the leak, are not welcome in the forums at HBO. That goes the same for Rampancy, including the IRC channels #hbo and #rampancy.