Windows XP obtained at a MS conference

[kag]

I was looking to buy another XP licence (for personal use) and a friend of mine offered me an unused copy he had laying around. He doesn't specifically remember where he got that copy from, but it was without a doubt at a some kind of conference or product launch organized by Microsoft (he attends a lot of these conferences).

He says it's "an unused pro licence slated for personal use". He says it's not a retail licence, definately a personal use one.

I've never heard of such licence, I would like to know more. First, can he give it to me? If so, what can I and can't I do with it.

I would also like to create a virtual machine on this computer (running Ubuntu) using that copy of XP, and in a few week when I will have a new computer, stop using that virtual machine and install XP on the new computer. Will I have problems with activation? I just don't want to get locked out if I reinstall too many times on different configuration (VirtualBox + new PC).

 

[ViRGE]

Depending on the conference, MS's handout software can be either OEM or retail. I know it's NFR (not for resale) but I don't know about giving it away.

As for your VM situation, just don't activate Windows. A few weeks should be less than the 30(?) days you have to activate.

 

[bruceb]

I would agree. As long as it has not been installed and is not sold for any monetary gain, it should be ok. How would they ever know who got it at the event and who is currently using it ? ? ?

 

[kag]

I'm not asking this to avoid "getting caught" or whatever by MS. Tell them that you changed the motherboard and they'll let you activate.

I'm asking this on a legal point of view.

 

[RebateMonger]

If it's OEM, it will say so and it follows Microsoft "OEM" EULA terms. If it's not OEM, then it's likely a "Not-For-Resale" copy and the documentation/CD would say so. NFR copies follow "Retail" EULA terms, except they can't be sold.