Q. I see products like Win 7 Professional—COA only—advertised for sale. Is this legal?
A. Offers to distribute incomplete OEM System Builder software packages are not legal. Under no circumstances are system builders or any other vendors authorized to distribute single OEM System Builder software components such as standalone Certificates of Authenticity (COAs).
Please note that the Certificate of Authenticity included with each OEM System Builder software package authenticates only the software components with which it is legally distributed. As mentioned, any offer to distribute an incomplete Microsoft software package (e.g., COA only) is not authorized, and any individual who was to obtain incomplete Microsoft software components would not be authorized to use the associated software or redistribute the components. For OEM System Builder Windows desktop operating systems, the complete software package must include the COA, hologram CD, and manual(s).
If you are aware of or have suspicions of piracy concerning Microsoft software, we urge you to contact us by email at (e-mail address removed) or visit
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/reporting.
Additionally, we recommend acquiring Microsoft OEM software from an authorized Microsoft OEM distributor or associate—an assured source of genuine Microsoft software. You can find a list of the distributors in your country here.