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Microsoft eyes auctions of old Windows

People looking to off-load their old Microsoft software to make way for Windows XP have to be careful about selling it online.

Cheers WinOSCentral for the heads up on this snip. For more than a year, Microsoft employees have kept tabs on eBay and other online auctions for software sales that the company believes violate its copyright or trademark rights. When they surface, Microsoft and the auction house work together to shut them down.

Under the licensing agreement with Microsoft, people who buy a computer with pre-loaded software cannot break out the software and sell it. But if they buy the software separately, they can sell it.

Ron Faul learned about this the hard way. Faul, who infrequently sells video games on eBay "when I'm tired of them," was trying to auction off two copies of Windows 95 for between $5 and $10 a piece, and a trial copy of Windows XP for $5. Faul said he obtained the Windows 95 programs by removing them from two computers he owns. Microsoft objected and down went his auction.

News source: CNet

Ed Note: Laughable really, when you consider its not even supported by Microsoft anymore. Off loading a license bought shouldnt have to raise concerns for an OS more than 5 years old.

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