Safe to buy IT copy of Windows from stranger ?

[bendixG15]

Guy on the internet wants to sell me an "IT copy of Windows XP with SP2, can be installed on any number of computers, does not need registration, has product code, and can be activated".
Sounds very fishy to me and my initial reaction is .... forget it.

How about some comments as to what is going on here ?

[stiltman]

This person either downloaded it or worked for a company that had a select agreement with MS

You can be assured it's pirated

[gadgetguy]

Of course it's safe. By the way, I have some ocean frontage property for sale in Idaho. With the market as it is, I'm offering big lots at bargain prices, interested?

[minidv2dvd]

that type of ms os is a corporate version with a vlk. stiltman is probably 100% correct that is not genuine. FCKGW key or similar.

[bendixG15]

Of course it's safe. By the way, I have some ocean frontage property for sale in Idaho. With the market as it is, I'm offering big lots at bargain prices, interested?

I already bought some.
I have to say, its a huge beach, long walk to the ocean.

[stiltman]

that type of ms os is a corporate version with a vlk. stiltman is probably 100% correct that is not genuine. FCKGW key or similar.

No it's 100% genune, plus 100% pirated

I have NT3.51, NT4, Win2K, etc... all are 100% legal. All are covered under my select agreement with MS. Soon as I leave the compamy, they will be......umm you know

[JohnnyMalaria]

Goodness.

I have a full MSDN subscription and can see and download every single MS product ever released (well, almost). There's no such thing as an "IT copy".

I think an S and an H missing.

[minidv2dvd]

Of course it's safe. By the way, I have some ocean frontage property for sale in Idaho. With the market as it is, I'm offering big lots at bargain prices, interested?

I already bought some.
I have to say, its a huge beach, long walk to the ocean.

and if someone offerred to buy your little sister for $5 would you do that too?

[kimco52]

I am surprised that someone would even ask the question in the first place.

[AlanHK]

Guy on the internet wants to sell me an "IT copy of Windows XP with SP2, can be installed on any number of computers, does not need registration, has product code, and can be activated".
Sounds very fishy to me and my initial reaction is .... forget it.
How about some comments as to what is going on here ?

Probably it's not kosher.

Just what is this guy offering in the way of licencing? If nothing, it's worth the cost of a blank disc.

On the other hand, in the used PC shops around here sometimes they do have deals on software packages. But they are in the original packages, including a registration sticker. Probably corporate purchases never used. So I think these are okay, though MS would like you to think otherwise.

[rumplestiltskin]

Its a volume license version. Is it real? Probably. Is it legal for him to sell it to you? No way. Is it legal for you to use it if he gives it to you. Nope.

[AlanHK]

Its a volume license version. Is it real? Probably. Is it legal for him to sell it to you? No way. Is it legal for you to use it if he gives it to you. Nope.

Just to draw a distinction: "unlicensed" does not mean "illegal". It's a civil contract, not a law.

[rumplestiltskin]

Its a volume license version. Is it real? Probably. Is it legal for him to sell it to you? No way. Is it legal for you to use it if he gives it to you. Nope.

Just to draw a distinction: "unlicensed" does not mean "illegal". It's a civil contract, not a law.

I stand corrected. However, the LA school district was fined over $1,000,000 for using unlicensed software a few years ago. The distinction might be lost on the offender.

[minidv2dvd]

Its a volume license version. Is it real? Probably. Is it legal for him to sell it to you? No way. Is it legal for you to use it if he gives it to you. Nope.

Just to draw a distinction: "unlicensed" does not mean "illegal". It's a civil contract, not a law.

it probably violates the dmca so it's likely a crime. the illegal sales of copyright property definitely is, and hopefully he gets caught. this is a popular board so don't be surprised if you get a call from m.s. or their lawyers. your ip is all they need to request from here and there is no way to refuse to supply it if they get a court order.

some things you just shouldn't discuss in public. your supplier may not be happy with you.

[bendixG15]

Its a volume license version. Is it real? Probably. Is it legal for him to sell it to you? No way. Is it legal for you to use it if he gives it to you. Nope.

Just to draw a distinction: "unlicensed" does not mean "illegal". It's a civil contract, not a law.

it probably violates the dmca so it's likely a crime. the illegal sales of copyright property definitely is, and hopefully he gets caught. this is a popular board so don't be surprised if you get a call from m.s. or their lawyers. your ip is all they need to request from here and there is no way to refuse to supply it if they get a court order.

some things you just shouldn't discuss in public. your supplier may not be happy with you.

=================================
minidv2dvd ---- >Who are you directing these comments to ??

[limpy]

Guy on the internet wants to sell me an "IT copy of Windows XP with SP2, can be installed on any number of computers, does not need registration, has product code, and can be activated".
Sounds very fishy to me and my initial reaction is .... forget it.

How about some comments as to what is going on here ?

If you're going to break the law then you should probably just download it yourself and not have to pay for it. I don't know which is more illegal although I guess downloading it might be since you could try and say you didn't know they copy you bought was stolen.

[bendixG15]

Looks like some of you guys didn't bother to read my original post.
I asked a question about the software the guy was peddling.

I don't appreciate the comments that I'm involved with illegal crap.

[JohnnyMalaria]

As I stated, I've never heard of an "IT copy". There are Volume Licensing versions. Does it have the MS holographic code on it?

[rumplestiltskin]

Looks like some of you guys didn't bother to read my original post.
I asked a question about the software the guy was peddling.

I don't appreciate the comments that I'm involved with illegal crap.

I don't think those comments were directed at you; rather, my impression was that they were more a theoretical discussion if one were to engage in such behavior (which you've indicated you have not). Chill, friend.

[stiltman]

Looks like some of you guys didn't bother to read my original post.
I asked a question about the software the guy was peddling.

I don't appreciate the comments that I'm involved with illegal crap.

OK, lets go back to the first post

Guy on the internet wants to sell me an "IT copy of Windows XP with SP2, can be installed on any number of computers, does not need registration, has product code, and can be activated".
Sounds very fishy to me and my initial reaction is .... forget it.

How about some comments as to what is going on here ?

1st, There has never been an IT copy of Windows XP.
2nd, It is fishy
3rd, The person is selling a pirated copy of XP that is only given out to businesses/charities/government, know as Volume Licensing.

3rd2, You asked for and recieved comments.

[AlanHK]

Its a volume license version. Is it real? Probably. Is it legal for him to sell it to you? No way. Is it legal for you to use it if he gives it to you. Nope.

Just to draw a distinction: "unlicensed" does not mean "illegal". It's a civil contract, not a law.

it probably violates the dmca so it's likely a crime. the illegal sales of copyright property definitely is, and hopefully he gets caught. this is a popular board so don't be surprised if you get a call from m.s. or their lawyers. your ip is all they need to request from here and there is no way to refuse to supply it if they get a court order.

some things you just shouldn't discuss in public. your supplier may not be happy with you.

If the software was cracked, there might be a DMCA problem, but that doesn't seem to be the case. It's probably a corporate or OEM edition.
And I would not be surprised, I would be astonished, if "the board got a call from m.s."
There are many "popular" boards where warez is the entire raison d'etre. They'd feel the hammer long before anyone got around to us. So tone down the paranoia.

In any case, the legality of the sale may be a grey area. I doubt if it would be criminal, but actually using it might be problematic.

[TBoneit]

My worry would be if it is a burned copy....

Who knows what kind of viruses or malware may get loaded along with the windows.

[greymalkin]

When I see people stupid enough to try and sell blatantly pirated software or emulated games on Craigslist I immediately send the link to MS or Nintendo/Sony/Etc. Those people are scum trying to profit off what they stole.

[RabidDog]

Someone might want a "real" Windows Xp CD with all the service packs on it, rather than having to re-install Xp then install Service pack 2 or 3 . SO there could, possibly be a legit reason to buy. AFAIK MS don't replace your CD when they fix something via a service pax. So long as you are licenced to use XP, then it should not be a problem.



N.B. Bill Gates is again the Richest individual in the World, after a period of relegation to the lower leagues, in a dazzling display of Virtouso Wealth, he has topped the List. Thus proving that Windows trumps Oil which trumps steel.