Unless you don't provide more information (self-contained sample, etc) this is bogus.

from php.ini-dist (4.1.1):

; - register_globals = Off         [Security, Performance]
;     Global variables are no longer registered for input data (POST, GET, cookies,
;     environment and other server variables).  Instead of using $foo, you must use
;     you can use $_REQUEST["foo"] (includes any variable that arrives through the
;     request, namely, POST, GET and cookie variables), or use one of the specific
;     $_GET["foo"], $_POST["foo"], $_COOKIE["foo"] or $_FILES["foo"], depending
;     on where the input originates.  Also, you can look at the
;     import_request_variables() function.
;     Note that register_globals is going to be depracated (i.e., turned off by
;     default) in the next version of PHP, because it often leads to security bugs.
;     Read http://php.net/manual/en/security.registerglobals.php for further
;     information.