Is it legal to buy OEM keys from a 3rd party onlineseller, with a sticker and re-sell these machines on?

Question

Good day

I have a second hand shop, where I buy second hand computers and re-sell them on after cleaning / fixing these computers. The problem is most of the time the OS has been pirated and or the sticker has been damaged or removed.

Now I am trying to be above board when it comes to the re-sale of the computer and wanted to know if I bought a OEM license key with a sticker at a reduced rate if this was legal ?

Answer 1

Hi Jonathan

Yes, that is absolutely legal, the stipulation when installing an OEM licence is that you must sell the PC on afterwards, so your proposal is in line with the licence agreement . . .

Answer 2

Does the person who is selling me the OEM license need to be a registered Microsoft supplier or anything ?

What do I need to ask them to prove that they are not some back alley person selling me pirated keys?

Answer 3

Hi Johnathan

It is very hard to judge the legitimacy of someone selling OEM licences, generally the best place to purchase OEM licences is form a hardware supplier, they will usually be genuine.

There are a lot of websites on the Internet you should be careful when purchasing licence from . ..

if you are unsure of your source, purchase just one licence, then activate that licence on a PC and make sure it activates correctly with a digital licence . . .

Answer 4

Also why does the BSA advise not to take this root?

Is the cost price normally a huge difference between the OEM and normal retail ?

Kind regards

Answer 5

Hi Johnathan

The cost price of an OEM licence is not hugely different to a full retail licence (maybe $20 - $30 cheaper), of you are seeing a price that is much cheaper than that, then you should be very suspicious . . .