This topic looked interesting, so I hunted down a better frontend for that full Medium article[0]. The writing is unsatisfying, doesn't really say anything, and by the last paragraph ("The tale of the product key... is a continuing demonstration of the never-ending struggle that takes place between the technological sector and the unyielding world of hackers") I was convinced the author was just posting a ChatGPT response. Which is sad, because I'd have liked to see the backstory for something apparently shrouded in mystery. But since there appears to be little explanation to how that key was leaked before Windows itself went on sale, I'll just enjoy the memory of the cultural phenomenon[1][2].
[0] https://freedium.cfd/https://medium.com/@cristian.nedelcu/fc...
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=19298196
[2] https://marco.org/2007/06/18/wow-fckgw-has-its-own-wikipedia...