Pirated vs, Genuine Software

[Bill M.]

Can someone tell me if there is a definitive test to determine if a piece of
software is authentic or not? For example, if a company paid for a
legitimate copy of a Microsoft, or other, program and then closed; do they
have the right to resell that software on the open market? Thank you.

 

[Guest]

The first test is the disk itself - genuine Microsoft disks are silver and
holographic, and always supplied with a proper license key.

Secondly, you can contact the Microsoft Piracy department to have the key
checked out.

Finally, you can only resell non-OEM software, and then only provided you
remove it off the system(s) it's currently installed on, and ensure you
provide the license key with it when you sell it.

OEM Microsoft software can not be resold seperately under any circumstances.

 

[Leythos]

Can someone tell me if there is a definitive test to determine if a piece of
software is authentic or not? For example, if a company paid for a
legitimate copy of a Microsoft, or other, program and then closed; do they
have the right to resell that software on the open market? Thank you.

If it's not part of a Volume License or Partner/ISV program, and it's
not an OEM copy, and they remove it from their own system, and they
provide you with the real CD and real KEY, then it's possible that you
could be getting a legal copy of the software. So, if they bought a
retail copy of XP, installed it, removed it, gave it to you, then it
would be legal. If the company got it through an OEM (and you don't get
the computer too) or one of the Volume/Partner programs, then it's not
legit. Please check with MS to make sure I'm correct, I could have
misunderstood the license class I went too.

 

[Bill M.]

Thanks for the information. How do I contact the MS piracy department and
how can they tell (for sure) if the key is legit? Will I have to send them
the disc beforehand?

 

[Eric Cross [MVP]]

Greetings Bill,

Please visit the Microsoft Piracy Protection website.

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/default.mspx

_______________
Eric Cross
Microsoft MVP (Windows Networking)
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

 

[Bill M.]

Thanks Bill,

That was what I needed.

Greetings Bill,

Please visit the Microsoft Piracy Protection website.

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/default.mspx

_______________
Eric Cross
Microsoft MVP (Windows Networking)
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com