Is ESD licence legal?

[MyNameIsMike]

Hello.

I've just found on ebay-like auction house Windows 7 Ultimate based on ESD licence. Means that seller sends key via email. He claims that licence is lifetime. The thing is that it's much cheaper than box one (with cd, instructions etc.).

Does such thing really exist? There is no need to have sticker on the machine you use windows on?


Cheers!

 

[DocBrown]

About 90% of the ebay win7 sales have been bogus. I have never head of the ESD license.

Buyer BeWare !

 

[Bill2]

ESD (electronic software distribution) licenses are meant for academic institutions so they can distribute software to students and faculty more efficiently (without having to deal with bulky disks). They are of 2 types- Work at Home (WAH) licenses and Student select licenses. WAH licenses are are purchased by the institution via volume licensing and granted to faculty and staff for use at home for work purpose. Student licenses are also got through VL and obviously meant for use of the students.

So, such licenses are not meant to be sold retail and certainly not auctioned on ebay. The seller seems to be in possession of such a license and is trying to make some money by misusing it. Beware that like msdn keys on ebay, you'll probably be only one of many persons to which this license will be sold. Eventually the key will be blocked by MS and you'll be left high and dry. Buy only from reputable stores or MS.

 

[Jacee]

Very good explanation Bill2