Selling a boxed legal copy of MS office 2007 pro but how?

[Sylar0]

See above, given I am not sure how many times over the years the key has been used. And if it has am I sunk? I have been the only one using it and I have the box and key etc.

[greenwizard88]

I'm no lawyer, but my understanding is that as long as it's not in use on any computers, it's legal to sell it.

[Praetor]

it's legal to resell a boxed copy if:

- the key wasn't used to upgrade to a newer office suite

- you will completely remove the key from your computer and not use it again (as in remove the office associated with that key, if is still installed); that's because when that office is going to be activated by the buyer it might not activate by Internet but the buyer might have to call Microsoft and activate it by phone; if such case the Microsoft representative will ask if that key is used in more than one computer; if yes then the activation process will halt.

[AJerman]

Yeah, it's only a legal issues if you install it, then sell it to someone else to install too. If the key isn't in use anywhere and won't be in use again, you can just sell it as is. This isn't game consoles where you sell it and someone else has to pay again just to use it. Thankfully only that market is that corrupt.

 

Edit: Ahh yes, good point on the upgrade, Praetor.

[+virtorio MVC]

From the EULA:

 

"16. TRANSFER TO A THIRD PARTY. The first user of the software may make a one-time transfer of the software, and this agreement, directly to a third party. The first user must uninstall the software before transferring it separately from the device. The first user may not retain any copies. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software. The transfer must include the proof of license. If the software is an upgrade, any transfer must also include all prior versions of the software. "

 

Worst case, the person who buys it might have to call up to activate it.

[Sylar0]

Yeah, it's only a legal issues if you install it, then sell it to someone else to install too. If the key isn't in use anywhere and won't be in use again, you can just sell it as is. This isn't game consoles where you sell it and someone else has to pay again just to use it. Thankfully only that market is that corrupt.

 

Edit: Ahh yes, good point on the upgrade, Praetor.

 

Have not used it to upgrade so assuming office isn't still installed on any old PCs anywhere of mine it should be fine?

 

From the EULA:

 

"16. TRANSFER TO A THIRD PARTY. The first user of the software may make a one-time transfer of the software, and this agreement, directly to a third party. The first user must uninstall the software before transferring it separately from the device. The first user may not retain any copies. Before any permitted transfer, the other party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software. The transfer must include the proof of license. If the software is an upgrade, any transfer must also include all prior versions of the software. "

 

Worst case, the person who buys it might have to call up to activate it.

 

Worth calling Microsoft to ask about that? I mean how do I put on ebay "buy this call Microsoft if it wont activate?" Id sell it via Neobay though PayPal if anyone wanted it but I have no idea if it should activate still I am not current using it/is not installed on any pcs. Sounds like it should be fine thanks guys? Anyone got an idea of value in ? it is a full retail boxed copy of office professional 2007?

[AJerman]

Have not used it to upgrade so assuming office isn't still installed on any old PCs anywhere of mine it should be fine?

 

 

Worth calling Microsoft to ask about that? I mean how do I put on ebay "buy this call Microsoft if it wont activate?" Id sell it via Neobay though PayPal if anyone wanted it but I have no idea if it should activate still I am not current using it/is not installed on any pcs. Sounds like it should be fine thanks guys? Anyone got an idea of value in ? it is a full retail boxed copy of office professional 2007?

Yep, as long as it's not installed you're good. If you want to, just tell the buyer that if they have any issue activating to call the number it provides and they will activate it for them. Nothing you can call and do since they'll give them a code to activate right then. I get that on all my copies of Windows when I reinstall since I've installed so many times. Just takes a few minutes to call and get your activation code then you're on your way.

[Sylar0]

Yep, as long as it's not installed you're good. If you want to, just tell the buyer that if they have any issue activating to call the number it provides and they will activate it for them. Nothing you can call and do since they'll give them a code to activate right then. I get that on all my copies of Windows when I reinstall since I've installed so many times. Just takes a few minutes to call and get your activation code then you're on your way.

Say in theory it MIGHT be installed somewhere else and I forgot say an old laptop in my attic how would it work then for arguments sake I know im not using it on this system but might have a laptop or two in the attic/ you have any idea of the value?

[AJerman]

Say in theory it MIGHT be installed somewhere else and I forgot say an old laptop in my attic how would it work then for arguments sake I know im not using it on this system but might have a laptop or two in the attic/ you have any idea of the value?

Well, I think the key is that the license can't be IN USE anywhere. If it's installed on an old scrap computer you're probably never going to touch again, it's probably not a big deal. It's not like MS has a record of uninstalls and can tell and won't activate it or anything, but technically if you did pull that computer out and use that copy of Office again you'd be doing so illegally. It's all mostly honor system still. They can see when it's activated and count the number of activations, but theres (thankfully) no deactivation procedure to "free up" the license, just your word that you're not using it. I can't stand things that have to be deactivated because I always forget. Like iTunes purchased music, that always got me.

 

No idea on the value though. I use LibreOffice so $0 to me. :laugh:

[Sylar0]

Well, I think the key is that the license can't be IN USE anywhere. If it's installed on an old scrap computer you're probably never going to touch again, it's probably not a big deal. It's not like MS has a record of uninstalls and can tell and won't activate it or anything, but technically if you did pull that computer out and use that copy of Office again you'd be doing so illegally. It's all mostly honor system still. They can see when it's activated and count the number of activations, but theres (thankfully) no deactivation procedure to "free up" the license, just your word that you're not using it. I can't stand things that have to be deactivated because I always forget. Like iTunes purchased music, that always got me.

 

No idea on the value though. I use LibreOffice so $0 to me. :laugh:

So your saying no point in calling MS to check anything just state that the buyer may have to call Microsoft to activate the product and YOUR CERTAIN (anyone else corroborate this for me before I put it on eBay) that it will activate?

[Praetor]

it will activate if and only if:

- the key isn't blacklisted :D

- during the activation process the operator (if the internet activation fails and the buyer has to activate by telefone) asks if the key is installed in more than one machine and the buyer says yes (the activation will halt).

[Sylar0]

it will activate if and only if:

- the key isn't blacklisted :D

- during the activation process the operator (if the internet activation fails and the buyer has to activate by telefone) asks if the key is installed in more than one machine and the buyer says yes (the activation will halt).

Ah... cool so in the unlikely event I honestly left it sitting on some old laptop (i'm serious I don't believe it is) they can just activate by telephone? Have I got that right.

[Praetor]

yes, they can activate by telephone.

[Kami-]

Ah... cool so in the unlikely event I honestly left it sitting on some old laptop (i'm serious I don't believe it is) they can just activate by telephone? Have I got that right.

In this situation it's illegal for you to sell it, doing so would be tantamount to fraud for the sale and copyright infringement on one of the two installations.

 

You MUST remove all copies of this software from your machine before selling the license.

[Sylar0]

In this situation it's illegal for you to sell it, doing so would be tantamount to fraud for the sale and copyright infringement on one of the two installations.

 

You MUST remove all copies of this software from your machine before selling the license.

Ok I know was just asking I don't believe it is installed anywhere.

[Sylar0]

Ok so finally got it sold shipped. Got an abusive/passive aggressive this morning claiming despite the fact I clearly stated on the listing that it may require telephone activation that it won't activate... it is not in use as far as I genuinely know thoughts? See image for full text and my polite response. I am willing to give him his money back as long as I get my office back.... have edit my response to leave out addresses but went on politely to say I will issue a refund when he for fills my request and I have no problem opening a case too.

 

Thoughts anyone?

[episode]

Here's the thing: Guy is a moron.

You can activate an office license a thousand times if you say '1' when you do phone activation.

Either he didn't call, or he installed it and just wants his money back along with a free version of office.

The information in this thread is correct, legally, but not correct in practice. You could, in reality, have the software installed and running on 45 PCs in your house and still call up and activate it by phone, as long as you say its only on one PC.

[plasmarox]

If the buyer hasn't tried the phone activation as per the listing then they are in the wrong.

 

Unfortunately eBay may not see it this way. However, even if the buyer opens a case with ebay they will still have to send the item back to you (recorded, and give ebay the tracking number). Ebay will not refund the buyer until the courier confirms the item has been delivered back to you.

[Praetor]

If the buyer hasn't tried the phone activation as per the listing then they are in the wrong.

 

Unfortunately eBay may not see it this way. However, even if the buyer opens a case with ebay they will still have to send the item back to you (recorded, and give ebay the tracking number). Ebay will not refund the buyer until the courier confirms the item has been delivered back to you.

 

very true, he didn't even activated by phone because if he did then it would be activated. best is to sell to someone else as that guy can't even read the description in the listing.

[Sylar0]

Here's the thing: Guy is a moron.

You can activate an office license a thousand times if you say '1' when you do phone activation.

Either he didn't call, or he installed it and just wants his money back along with a free version of office.

The information in this thread is correct, legally, but not correct in practice. You could, in reality, have the software installed and running on 45 PCs in your house and still call up and activate it by phone, as long as you say its only on one PC.

That's what I thought and stated on the listing. Yep your second point has me thinking the vile reaction I got of him and the fact he certainly had my address on the back of the postage box leaves me suspicious. Re you third point AGAIN I DO NOT but as you have said it should still work.

 

If the buyer hasn't tried the phone activation as per the listing then they are in the wrong.

 

Unfortunately eBay may not see it this way. However, even if the buyer opens a case with ebay they will still have to send the item back to you (recorded, and give ebay the tracking number). Ebay will not refund the buyer until the courier confirms the item has been delivered back to you.

 

Indeed he would be,, he was not clear about that in his message. Sounds fair enough long as I don't have to move first since the key could and should still have value. Im so honest I still have his money in PayPal but he is sounding suspicious to me.

[Sylar0]

Bump and update: the seller threatened to open a case against me this hasn't happened, and said upon return of his money he would mail the copy off office back to me today. I have had no communication with the seller in any respect, I still have his money in my PayPal (I had not withdrew it yet) and don't want to move it to my bank until its "mine". Thoughts should I open a case against the seller/report him I mean he still has the right to leave feedback against me, and I don't want to consider the matter closed without him responding?

 

Should I give him the weekend to contact me?

[Sylar0]

Sorry to bump my own thread but this will be my last post on the subject mods, only to say the issue has magically resolved itself... for anyone who does not want to read the entire tread I shall put all the logs back on... Don't know if it was a genuine mistake or an attempt to scam me but given his outburst I found it suspicious and the buyers turn around most amusing.

 

Have edited the log screen shots to remove identifying information and addresses, but on my first message at the bottom after my address I suggested I had no problem with opening a counter eBay case against him... well party time... ive made some christmas present and starbucks money now I feel I can use his money (because thats how honest I am :) )... amusing given his outburst happy days!

[Rohdekill]

I think your biggest problem is going to get someone to actually buy Office 2007 for the price you think it should go for.  

[Lingwo]

Sounds like a genuine mistake to me.

Looks like the guy expected it to work out the box and it didn't got stressed.

Now the problem is solved as he has tried phone activation and now he is happy and so is his email response.

[Anibal P]

I think your biggest problem is going to get someone to actually buy Office 2007 for the price you think it should go for.  

 

I know right, who in their right mind would still use or want Office 2007, it's antique junk now