License Ethics

[TrippinJedi]

I have a friend that got a system from a guy on craigslist, it has major issues and basically needs to be reformatted, on the tower is the COA and Key for windows registration, now this system didnt come with the original OS install discs, but my friend has extra OS install discs that currently dont have a key.

i 've been telling hime to use the discs and the COA Key on the case, its yours and it dont matter, he seems to have an issue thinking that because he doesnt have the originall discs and thinks there is a chance that the previous owner my still be using the OS he cant use the key, but the way i see it he has the actual key so he owns it and legally he couldnt get screwed.

any thought or opinions or any factually leagal information would be helpful

thanks

[sgtspector]

He can use any cd to install the operating system as long he is the rightful holder of the key code. The question is the transfer of the key code from the original owner to him. If the owner used the code on another machine he could have a problem when he activates. Someone more familiar with the EULA can probably tell him his rights as far as the transfer of the key to him when he purchased the pc but I believe he is now the rightful owner. That doesn't mean he won't have a problem when he activates though. Of course, if the previous owner did not use the key anywhere else he will be fine.

[Lespaul20]

If he has ownership if the COA sticker then I think he is the owner of the key. If the original owner doesn't have the COA then they shouldn't be using that license. Tell him to use it. The worst I see can happening is it will already be activated. The way is see it, he legally owns the Key and if Microsoft were to audit both of them he(your friend) would be in the right.

Also when somebody buys an OS they are buying the right to use it, aka the license to use it. If MS were to come looking for him they wouldn't be looking for a CD but that COA sticker with the License key.

[Jaggannath]

If he has the valid key Microsoft won't care as they've got the money. It's the key that's important, not the CD

[TrippinJedi]

thanks for the help, but i still havent convinced him that he will be fine, oh well it will be his loss when he wastes the $$ on a new OS

[Panama Red]

Tell your friend to follow the suggestions above first and see if his new installation will Activate using the attached Product Key (and I guarantee you it will - even if he has to call MS). He can always buy a new Windows disk later if our advice doesn't work.