Piracy

[Potatoman]

Im really worried about my Office 2003 installation. I bought a new PC with Office 2003 already installed from a private seller. Is there anyway i can tell if its legit? I dont have the discs, as they say they were not supplied when he bought it new. Would microsoft know and do anything? Im thinking of uninstalling it. PM

[j2buttonsw]

If it wasn't supplied with a licence then it is illegal. Often the Office licence is on the CD case. You can get OEM licenses for Office preinstalled on your computer but you should still have a license.

[Potatoman]

Thanks for that, j2buttonsw. Do you know how i would go about getting another copy of the licence? If i cant, would Microsoft know? SHould i uninstall Office 2003?

[Headtime]

Potatoman,

you shouldn't fret overly. Yes, your installation of Office may well be unlicensed.

But Microsoft are unable to tell that it is YOU who have it, and will not go through all the effort of getting a court order from your ISP to get them hand over your details, just to take you to court. It's not worth their time.

If it really is concerning you, buy a new copy from Amazon or Dabs, and install it over the previous Office installation.

(I wouldn't bother myself though!)

[Gandy]

I would not worry too much either.  Microsoft are allowing users who believe they have a pirated copy of Windows XP to swap it for a legitimate one.  They may follow suit with Office too.  See http://www.microsoft.com/uk/piracy/genuine/check-authent icity/verification/default.mspx

[romko]

save yourself the hassle and stop worrying about it, as others have said. The chances of any repercussions arising are negligible.