Is it legal or illegal ?

[Nontechguy]

Hi ... I happen to found a microsoft windows 98 retail version with the product license keys on the back of the cover in the garbage , My question is if I was to purchase an upgrade version of windows xp would it be legal or illegal to use ? Thanks

[smirnoff]

hmm its not stolen.

looks like your in the legal area here.

not sure i want to know why your look in that area though...lol.

[MOOGLY]

Depends on if they (the original owner) upgraded allready in that case they might come down on you or the original owner for giving out that copy.

[Dr.Dan]

If you are in possession of the original disk and license key, then I would say that you are legal.

If someone else has used it for an upgrade, and they don't have it to prove it, they are the ones that are now illegal...

[Nontechguy]

Hey all .... Funny thing is the area location as to where I found it was in a nice rich surrounding , So my thoughts were they probalby got them some the newest version ( XP ) and didn't need 98 any longer , So they just tossed in there garbage , Infact there was 3 copies of 98 in there garbage but, Only one has the license keys on the back of the copy , Also the one with the license key the disc is bluish color and the other 2 are your normal types , Is this bluish type special from the rest ? Or this just microsoft ways of changing things ? Thanks

[Just Doug1]

The legit MS CD's will all have the hologram front, if I'm not mistaken.

[Nontechguy]

The legit MS CD's will all have the hologram front, if I'm not mistaken.

Yes that part is there near the center of the disc , Infact I didn't even read what was on the back copy , Yeah I know stupid me , It said the authenticity of this CD-ROM can be verified by the presence of a holographic image near the center of the disc . The Image is fully embedded in the CD-ROM and is not a sticker on the surface . The Image contains the MICROSOFT logo which changes the word " GENUINE " when tilted under proper lighting

All 3 of them have this but , I wasn't concern about whether they are real or not , I'm more concern in the legal matter as to whether its legal to use one of them with a purchase upgrade version copy of XP ? Thanks

[ppiggppenn]

the blue disk label is likely evidence of its being a burnt copy already, ...still if it gets you there, ...my impression is that unless you're a business with deep pockets you needn't worry about the M$ Piracy Swat Team knocking on your door at 3AM. But to address your question, it's probably not legal if you didn't shell out for the original CD and key, ...the fine print in the EULA would contain at least one Catch22 ...