I bought a Windows 7 Ultimate on Craigslist for $50. After I bought it, I found out that it was a Promotional item that is "Not for Resale." What should I do? Is it okay for me to use it? I don't want to break any laws.
The chances of it being a legitimate copy are low, even if it wasn't a promotional item.
Does it have a 25 character Product Key attached to it anyplace, in this format: xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx-xxxxx?
If it does have such a number, you could call Microsoft and find out if it is legal.
If it does not have such a number, you cannot activate it even if you did install it.
I'd do something quick to find out if it is a valid Product Key, if you have one.
Without the key, I would look to try to get a refund or possibly stop payment by credit card or check or however you paid.
You need to demand a refund from where you bought it and also report the matter to Microsoft.
Protect Yourself from Piracy
Thanks. Yes it has a 25 character product key. It is legit. Sometimes Microsoft gives away these promotional discs for free for whatever marketing purposes.
Some argue that according to the First Sale Doctrine, a person who obtains such an item becomes the owner and thus has the legal right to give or sell it as he pleases. See this case:
I fought Microsoft over selling NFR software and I won! - Neowin Forums
I got a free copy of Windows 7 Ultimate when I attended a Windows 7 launch party (The New Efficiency, it was called). It came with a 25 digital product key. A friend of mine also got a copy and decided that he didn't want it and he sold his. However, I think he got close to $200 for his. I used mine.
I am really suspicious of this copy of Widnwos 7 that the OP got because he got it for 50 bucks. I have never seen a legit copy of Windows 7 for that price. The cheapest copy of Windwos 7 that you can get is the System builder pack of Windows 7 Home Premium. You can get that for $100. I could possible believe that were legit if it were the cheaper Home Premium, but the fact that it is Windows 7 Ultimate is very concerning to me.
^ Like I said, if I wanted to part with my copy and I wanted to only ask $50 for it, it would be $50 in my pocket that I didn't have before since Microsoft game me the legit copy completely free. But I wouldn't sell it myself for $50. So, it's possible that it's legit. Not likely, but possible.
Perhaps the person who sold it didn't know the value of it and it is a legit copy.
There is every chance that this is legit. I'm not sure why people are hung up on the price, considering it was a free promotional item.
That being said, anytime you buy a license on Ebay, there's a chance it was pirated or blacklisted. I would simply verify the key with Microsoft, and if it is valid, you are fine. If it has been blacklisted, then demand a refund from the seller.
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