Buying only license illegal?What does Validation needs?

saeedcp · Dec 30, 2009

Hello to all users.I am newbie

first: Is buying only license illegal? for example I bought Win7Ultimate 32bit retial key from someone(he sent it by mail). Have I done any thing illegal?
I gave the key to another one ( I didn't use it) and now he wants to validate it by mailing microsoft support. He enailed:
"Is my windows geniune? with this key .... "and he copied the report maid by MGADiag.exe
They answered:
"Thank you for contacting Microsoft.
SRX112xxxxxxxID – Microsoft Customer Services Auto Acknowledgement
We will respond to your message as soon as you provide following details about your product
1.date of purchase-
2.country/region
3.serial number/par.number-
4.invoice num. with microsoft authorized dealer
(only if you don't purchase online estore)-
For urgent inquiries, please call us on 0870 60 10 100. Our business hours are 8am to 6pm Monday – Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
If you require technical support, you can submit your query by visiting http://www.microsoft.com/uk/support or by telephoning 0870 60 10 100.
Microsoft Customer Services
Protect Your PC: Microsoft wants to help ensure your PC is protected from viruses and worms like Blaster and Mydoom as well as future threats. Visit our website at http://www.microsoft.com/uk/security/protect/alert.mspx and follow the steps to stay secure."

and my question is what information should I give to microsoft? Because I bought license from person not any authorized seller or etc.
*the license is activated already.

Jonathan_King · Dec 30, 2009

Welcome!

Buying keys is not illegal, as long as they are not pirated. If the person you bought it from purchased it, you are good. Your friend can deal with MS himself, directly. How else would they deal with all the copies purchased on Newegg and eBay?

Hope this helps,
~Jonathan

pebbly · Dec 30, 2009

the key has to come from some dubious route ,microsoft licences do not allow retailers to sell single keys without the software , so i would, in this case, be very wary

Jonathan_King · Dec 30, 2009

pebbly said:
the key has to come from some dubious route ,microsoft licences do not allow retailers to sell single keys without the software , so i would, in this case, be very wary

The above applies to retailers. The rules are a bit different for the end user...

pebbly · Dec 30, 2009

agreed JK, but there are so many fake and technet keys floating about that someone will get their fingers burnt for sure

Qdos · Dec 30, 2009

Jonathan_King said:
pebbly said:

the key has to come from some dubious route ,microsoft licences do not allow retailers to sell single keys without the software , so i would, in this case, be very wary

Click to expand...

The above applies to retailers. The rules are a bit different for the end user...

Respectfully, the EULA applies to the bearer, who is essentially undesignated but may be a corporation or a physical person - and trading license keys minus disks is an issue which only the license owner (Microsoft) is authorised to engage in.

On eBay Microsoft have a specific appointee, called a VeRO representative, and if they tell eBay to end auctions and NARU (ban) vendors then trust me, eBay will do just that - and mighty fast too.

1Bowtie · Dec 30, 2009

My question would be, why did the origional poster buy a retail key and then turn around and sell it to someone else???? No software involved, if it smells like fish it probably is fish.

Smitty

Jonathan_King · Dec 30, 2009

1Bowtie said:
My question would be, why did the origional poster buy a retail key and then turn around and sell it to someone else???? No software involved, if it smells like fish it probably is fish.

Smitty

Maybe he didn't need it... Don't be so quick to assume the worst. I stocked up on keys from the student deal, way more than I need. I bought them for $30, now if I sell them for $50, I come out $20 ahead and make a friend because I saved them $50.

theog · Dec 30, 2009

saeedcp said:
Hello to all users.I am newbie

"Is my windows geniune? with this key ....
They answered:

1.date of purchase-
2.country/region
3.serial number/par.number-
4.invoice num. with microsoft authorized dealer

and my question is what information should I give to microsoft? Because I bought license from person not any authorized seller or etc.
*the license is activated already.

Send them the 4 bit of information.

But this looking FAKE to me.

saeedcp · Dec 30, 2009

My question would be, why did the origional poster buy a retail key and then turn around and sell it to someone else???? No software involved, if it smells like fish it probably is fish.

Smitty

thank you for involving in this topic.
My condition is sth like Jonathan_King's condition. I bought it for cheap price and exchange the key with other software licenses with someone. So I am not selling it and according to this post:

Respectfully, the EULA applies to the bearer, who is essentially undesignated but may be a corporation or a physical person - and trading license keys minus disks is an issue which only the license owner (Microsoft) is authorised to engage in.

On eBay Microsoft have a specific appointee, called a VeRO representative, and if they tell eBay to end auctions and NARU (ban) vendors then trust me, eBay will do just that - and mighty fast too.

I am not doing anything illegal( Because I am not selling)

Send them the 4 bit of information.

But this looking FAKE to me.

but I don't have the information.Specially number 3 & 4.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some one who I am exchanging licenses with him is worried about "time to time validation" as said in email(post 1)- How can he Validate succesfully the windows which after that he can be sure that his Windows is validated?

1Bowtie · Dec 30, 2009

Jonathan_King said:
1Bowtie said:

My question would be, why did the origional poster buy a retail key and then turn around and sell it to someone else???? No software involved, if it smells like fish it probably is fish.

Smitty

Click to expand...

Maybe he didn't need it... Don't be so quick to assume the worst. I stocked up on keys from the student deal, way more than I need. I bought them for $30, now if I sell them for $50, I come out $20 ahead and make a friend because I saved them $50.

Johathan i don't think that's what that program was designed for, so if that's what you are doing it's illegal. It was to help students get the os at a price they could afford, one student email, one copy, one licence, not for buy and sell.

Smitty

Jonathan_King · Dec 30, 2009

1Bowtie said:
Jonathan_King said:

1Bowtie said:

My question would be, why did the origional poster buy a retail key and then turn around and sell it to someone else???? No software involved, if it smells like fish it probably is fish.

Smitty

Click to expand...

Maybe he didn't need it... Don't be so quick to assume the worst. I stocked up on keys from the student deal, way more than I need. I bought them for $30, now if I sell them for $50, I come out $20 ahead and make a friend because I saved them $50.

Click to expand...

Johathan i don't think that's what that program was designed for, so if that's what you are doing it's illegal. It was to help students get the os at a price they could afford, one student email, one copy, one licence, not for buy and sell.

Smitty

It is not illegal, I got them through legitimate sources. Family, friends, anyone with a .edu email address legally purchased them for me. I read the TOS, I was okay.

1Bowtie · Dec 30, 2009

Sorry no offence we just disagree with the purpose of the program.

Smitty

Jonathan_King · Dec 30, 2009

1Bowtie said:
Sorry no offence we just disagree with the purpose of the program.

Smitty

I will admit I violated the spirit of the law. I made sure I was legal first, though.

pparks1 · Dec 30, 2009

1Bowtie said:
Sorry no offence we just disagree with the purpose of the program.

The purpose of the program is also the interesting part. I'm a little shocked that MS would not include something in the agreement around the $30 EDU copy that precluded people from reselling it or using it if they are not the valid student with the valid e-mail address. I'm sure if you hunted you might find it...but then again I'm sure MS stayed vague and is just gathering whatever revenue they can find. The other program which is often debated as to purpose is Technet and the validity of using a copy of Technet to run an entire home full of PC's for the cost of a single technet subscription.

Jonathan_King · Dec 30, 2009

Windows 7 US Online Store

Qdos · Dec 30, 2009

Jonathan_King said:
1Bowtie said:

Sorry no offence we just disagree with the purpose of the program.

Smitty

Click to expand...

I will admit I violated the spirit of the law. I made sure I was legal first, though.

The agreement states:-

This promotion is subject to the following terms and conditions and all participants acknowledge and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

And, a few lines subsequently...

Microsoft or Digital River may contact you to verify that you are a current student. If documentation is not provided indicating that you are a current student, you will be liable to reimburse Microsoft for the difference between what you paid and the estimated retail price of the software.

In this sense the bearer is the participant, therefore the EULA has been broken and Microsoft would be fully entitled to take a dim view of the matter...

Jonathan_King · Dec 30, 2009

Qdos said:
Jonathan_King said:

1Bowtie said:

Sorry no offence we just disagree with the purpose of the program.

Smitty

Click to expand...

I will admit I violated the spirit of the law. I made sure I was legal first, though.

Click to expand...

The agreement states:-

This promotion is subject to the following terms and conditions and all participants acknowledge and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions.

Click to expand...

And, a few lines subsequently...

Microsoft or Digital River may contact you to verify that you are a current student. If documentation is not provided indicating that you are a current student, you will be liable to reimburse Microsoft for the difference between what you paid and the estimated retail price of the software.

Click to expand...

In this sense the bearer is the participant, therefore the EULA has been broken and Microsoft would be fully entitled to take a dim view of the matter...

I did not purchase the software. The terms apply to the sale, not thee software. Once my sisters had the software, they could do whatever they wanted with it, as long as it complies with the software TOS. In this case, I am now bound by the Windows Eula.

Hope this makes sense.

Qdos · Dec 30, 2009

Jonathan_King said:
Hope this makes sense.

I don't think a lawyer would agree with you :sarc:

Jonathan_King · Dec 30, 2009

Qdos said:
Jonathan_King said:

Hope this makes sense.

Click to expand...

I don't think a lawyer would agree with you :sarc:

Let's just remember to keep this friendly. Not that we've started, but just want to remind everyone. This is a good debate!

I actually bought one copy myself. My sister had problems, so she gave me her account info (credit card number, email address, etc). I called MS myself and explained the situation, and they actually sent her a key, even though I was very clear I was ordering on her behalf.

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