Is reselling Microsoft software legal?

Microsoft is one of the most popular companies in the world. Their business model has been built on selling their own software and services to both businesses and consumers alike, but that doesn't mean they're immune from laws about the purchase or resale of products purchased through them. In fact, there are some strict regulations surrounding this area which can be quite complicated for anyone who isn't familiar with these rules.

We've compiled everything we know into an easy-to-read guide so that you don't have to spend hours scouring forums looking for information - just jump right in! We'll cover everything from what's allowed and not allowed when it comes to reselling software as well as the various ways in which people try to get around the law. So if you want to take advantage of Microsoft's generous licensing terms, make sure you follow our advice before you start making any sales.

Should I buy MS Office 2016 instead of upgrading my existing version?

If your upgrade eligibility expires soon, then it may be worth waiting until later next year when prices will likely drop again. If you do decide to go down the route, however, you should consider purchasing Office 2016 rather than paying full price for another license because once you’ve upgraded your current Office product, you won’t be able to downgrade back to it – meaning you could end up losing money by doing so. Read more here.

Can I use a key from previous versions of Windows 10?

Yes you can, although you need to ensure that you only install updates on systems running pre-installed copies of Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, or Education. You also need to keep track of where you got the original license code from, as you cannot reuse it across multiple devices. Read more here.

How much does Microsoft charge to register a new PC?

You can choose between two options when registering a computer under the Microsoft Reseller program: either pay $100 per device directly to Microsoft or pay $50 per user per month via a hosting service like BlueHost. The latter option allows you to offer unlimited users access to Office 365 at no additional cost, whereas direct payments must be made separately for each individual customer. Read more here.

I bought a copy of Windows 7 Ultimate OEM. Can I re-sell it to someone else?

No. When you buy an OEM copy of Windows 7 Ultimate, you receive a serial number that enables you to activate the operating system. Once activated, you can only give the serial number away to other individuals who wish to obtain the same license. This is called ‘activation lock’ functionality and prevents others from using the licence after activation. However, if you were planning to resell the OS, the person receiving the licence would have to contact Microsoft Support Services to request a refund and then cancel out the activation process. Read more here.

What happens if I lose my copy of Windows 8?

The Windows 8 Consumer Preview was released last year, alongside a free Upgrade Offer that enabled consumers to download and test the new operating system to see whether they liked its features. Unfortunately, due to a bug in the process, many people received an incomplete installation file. As such, those affected had to download the entire package manually, complete the setup process, and then delete the files afterwards. Those that followed instructions correctly received the final version of the operating system, though they still needed to run a clean uninstallation procedure to remove the remnants of the trial edition. Since the removal of the beta build, Microsoft provides full support for Windows 8, including technical assistance and help desk solutions. Read more here.

Is it possible to change the region settings on my Xbox One console without having to reinstall the whole thing?

It depends. There’s currently no way to change the language setting within the dashboard. Instead, you’ll need to perform a factory reset, which will wipe everything off your hard drive. After that, you’ll need to connect your Xbox One to your router (or Wi-Fi network), log in, head over to Settings " System " Language & Region, and select English US. Then hit Apply, and wait for the changes to apply. It might take a while depending on how busy your internet connection is, but eventually you’ll be set. Note that changing your country selection in the dashboard requires a trip to the store first. Read more here.

Can I legally distribute old versions of Windows XP?

Windows XP ended its life in 2014, and since then, Microsoft has stopped supporting security patches and critical fixes for the platform. Although the company has officially discontinued support for older operating systems, it remains technically feasible to continue to provide ongoing support for certain aspects of the legacy technology. For instance, Microsoft offers extended security update coverage for Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3). While this solution is offered solely as an alternative to standard patching, customers wishing to migrate to newer versions of Windows can opt to stick with SP3. Furthermore, third parties offering security vulnerability scanning and remediation services can provide further support for Windows XP. Read more here.

Is it legal to sell Windows Vista licenses?

There are several reasons why it is not advisable to sell Windows Vista licenses anymore. First and foremost, Microsoft has ceased production and distribution of the operating system. Secondly, Vista is now considered a legacy operating system, meaning that it is unlikely that anyone would ever want to put it onto a new machine. Additionally, Microsoft is discontinuing official support for Vista, meaning that even if someone wanted to install the latest security patches and updates, they wouldn’t be able to do so. Thirdly, Vista is nearly eight years old, and there are plenty of alternatives available today. Finally, Vista is a bit outdated, meaning that it lacks some modern features that newer versions of Windows include. Read more here.

Is it legal to sell Windows Server 2008 R2 licenses?

While it is technically possible to resell Windows Server 2008 R2 licenses, doing so is risky business. Firstly, Microsoft has ceased producing and distributing the server operating system altogether. Second, the vendor has stated that it intends to stop providing official support for Windows Server 2008 R2 in April 2020, leaving organizations vulnerable to potential vulnerabilities. Lastly, Windows Server 2008 R2 is almost ten years old, and there are numerous alternatives available today. Overall, it makes sense to avoid dealing with unlicensed servers unless absolutely necessary. Read more here.

Do you have to renew my Microsoft 365 subscription every time I sign up for a new plan?

No. Your Microsoft 365 subscriptions automatically rollover when you reach your monthly limit, enabling you to extend your membership indefinitely. Each renewal includes a 12-month extension, giving you flexibility to manage your budget according to your needs. Read more here.

Does Microsoft allow me to open the source code to its applications?

As far as the EU is concerned, yes. Under Article 26(1)(b) of Directive 2001/29/EC, Member States shall enable individuals to inspect and study the source code of works protected by copyright, provided that the conditions laid down in Article 27(5) of the directive have been met. These conditions stipulate that the work contains sufficient information to facilitate inspection and study and that the rights holder has given written permission to carry out the examination.

However, when it comes to non-EU countries, this is not necessarily true. In general, the relevant legislation differs widely from nation to nation, and in some cases, the answer is simply 'no'. It is therefore important to check local regulation prior to carrying out any research. Read more here.

My friend wants to become a reseller for Microsoft products, but he lives outside of the European Union. Is there anything special I need to watch out for?

Unfortunately, there is little guidance available concerning international resellers. Although the EU is responsible for defining and enforcing intellectual property laws throughout Europe, national governments often determine policies pertaining to specific industries. Therefore, it is difficult to say exactly what restrictions might exist elsewhere. That said, the United Kingdom recently introduced new guidelines governing foreign trade, allowing UK citizens to export goods abroad without restriction under certain circumstances. To find out more, read more here.

Are there any tax advantages associated with being an independent reseller?

In order to qualify as an Independent Reseller, you must meet two criteria: firstly, you must have obtained a valid VAT Number from HMRC, and secondly, you must be registered with HM Revenue & Customs. A good place to start would be to visit HMRC's website and search for Taxpayer Reference Numbers. Alternatively, you can call the National Customer Helpline on 0845 300 1500.

Additionally, you should seek professional advice to confirm whether you are eligible for VAT relief under the Independent Resellers Scheme. To do so, you should speak to your accountant or financial advisor, or alternatively, you could consult a specialist solicitor. In the event that you are unable to locate a suitable adviser, you may want to look online for a reputable firm. Ultimately, the best course of action would be to consult a qualified lawyer to assist you in determining your exact position.

If you've ever considered selling your Microsoft software licence, it's probably safe to say that you're not alone. There are many ways for businesses to make money from their existing licences or even get started with new ones.

Whether you want to sell pre-owned licences or start a business as a licensed reseller, there is plenty of information available online about what you need to know before going ahead. However, these resources don't always cover everything in detail, so here we'll answer some of the most commonly asked questions around this topic.

How do I sell my Office 365 license?

The first thing to consider when deciding whether to sell your Microsoft Office 365 subscription is if you have an active contract - and how long you can continue using them without incurring any penalties.

You can only renew your Office 365 agreement once every 12 months, but if you wish to change services at any time during its term then you will be able to cancel at no cost. If you decide to end your service prematurely, however, you may incur charges depending on which tier you were paying for. This varies between different countries, and also depends on whether you had paid monthly or annually.

In order to stop receiving mail from Microsoft, you must contact them directly via email. You should receive a response within one working day telling you exactly how much charge you would face if you cancelled early. The minimum cancellation fee is £49 per user per month (£24.95 per user per year), while the maximum amount you could pay is £199 (£99). Cancellation fees apply regardless of whether you use Outlook or OneDrive storage.

Once you reach the end date of your current contract, you will still be able to keep using Office until you purchase a replacement copy. For example, if you signed up for three years at the beginning of 2021 and wanted to switch providers, you'd just need to wait until 2022 and buy a new plan.

However, if you sign up for less than two years, you won't be eligible for a refund after cancelling your contract. Instead, you would simply lose access to the product completely.

There are several other options available for those who wish to leave Microsoft behind, including switching to Google Apps or Office Online. We have previously looked into switching away from Office 365, and found out more details about the process.

How do people sell cheap Microsoft Office?

One way to reduce costs is by buying secondhand copies of Microsoft software rather than purchasing brand new versions. This is especially true if you already own a PC running Windows 10. It’s worth noting that Microsoft doesn’t allow users to download older versions of Word and Excel unless they upgrade to a later version.

That said, you might find someone willing to part exchange their old files with you. Or perhaps you can try borrowing them from friends or family members who are happy to let you install their work onto yours. But remember to check for viruses beforehand.

Another option is to search through eBay for used PCs that come equipped with Microsoft Office included. These aren’t necessarily free of charge though – prices range anywhere from $20 to over $200!

Can software be resold?

Microsoft makes it very clear that software cannot be sold without permission, meaning anyone attempting to enter into such arrangements will run afoul of the law. In fact, the company has been sued numerous times for alleged copyright infringement since releasing its popular productivity suites back in 1985.

Despite being illegal, there are actually quite a few legitimate reasons why you might wish to sell your software. Perhaps you bought the wrong type of licence, or you're looking to move to a cheaper provider. Whatever reason you choose to give, be sure to consult a lawyer before proceeding.

It goes without saying that you shouldn't attempt to resell software that isn't yours to begin with. And if you happen to discover that someone else is making a living off unauthorised sales, you should report it immediately. Doing otherwise risks having your account closed down and potentially facing criminal prosecution.

Of course, if you really want to earn extra income, there are various ways to turn your passion into a full-time job. Here are our top tips for starting a side hustle.

What is a volume licence?

Volume licensing has become increasingly popular in recent years as customers have turned away from traditional software purchases. The rise of cloud computing, online games, and other digital services has led to an increase in demand for flexible options.

"Volume" refers to how much software can be purchased at once - rather than buying individual licenses, users can purchase multiple copies of a program through one license agreement.

"Licence" refers to the amount of time that someone has access to use the software under the terms of the contract.

In addition to this flexibility, volume licensing offers companies more control over who they sell to. By purchasing a single licence agreement, companies can offer pre-owned software to any customer without worrying about whether anyone else on staff already owns a copy. This also means that there will always be enough stock available should a competitor come calling.

The Microsoft Office suite is perhaps the most well known example of a major product offered by volume licensing agreements. In fact, around half of all UK businesses using Microsoft products today have used Office 365 since its introduction in 2013.

Microsoft makes three different versions of Office available via volume licensing. Each version includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access, Publisher, OneNote, Skype Business Online, SharePoint Server, Project Professional, Visio, and InfoPath among others.

There are two main types of volume licensing agreements - perpetual and term. Perpetual deals last forever while term contracts expire after a set period of time. Some software vendors only allow perpetual licensing but most providers offer

Can I sell my pre-owned MSO licences online or via an agent?

Yes.

"Selling" a Microsoft volume licensing agreement is perfectly normal business practice in today's world. In fact, there are quite a few companies out there who specialise in this field - so much so that they can offer you the best possible price when you decide to sell your existing licenses. It might sound strange but it's actually very simple process as long as you do things properly.

The first thing you need to consider is whether you want to go through an independent agent or look at websites like eBay and Amazon which will handle such transactions on behalf of customers.

These sites have been set up specifically to allow people to buy and sell used computing equipment including PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. They also provide buyers with a secure payment system, quick delivery times and fast tracking of orders.

However, if you choose to use these sites then make sure you follow their terms and conditions carefully otherwise your order may be cancelled before completion.

You should always check the feedback given by previous owners of the items being sold and verify any claims made about them. Asking other users what they think of the product or service can help too.

For example, if someone has bought something off ebay recently then ask others if they would recommend doing the same. If they wouldn't, then you'll know your purchase isn't going to work out well!

As far as pricing goes, you'll find prices vary widely depending on how old the item is, its condition and how popular it is amongst potential purchasers. You can expect to pay between £20 and £150 per PC depending on what processor is inside.

You could save yourself some cash if you already own the original box and accessories along with the operating system installed. This information is often included in the listing description on eBay and Amazon.

It's worth noting though that sometimes sellers don't include everything they claim to have. For example, if they state that "everything works fine", then this does not necessarily mean that every single component within the machine is still working.

So, if you see an item listed for less than market value then try contacting the seller directly to ensure that they haven't left anything out.

Microsoft has made it easy for businesses to buy pre-owned licences. The company provides an online portal where you can purchase any volume licence purchased from them since January 1st 2018. If your business already owns these licences but doesn't want to keep using them then this could be the perfect opportunity to get some money back on unused licences. But what if you don't own those licences anymore or have moved onto other software? Can you still sell them? What about transferring them? Should they even be sold at all? We'll answer all of those questions in this article.

We're going to start by talking about whether Microsoft's licensing system allows you to re-sell their software. This will also cover anything else that might affect the legality of selling Microsoft software. Then we'll move onto the question of whether you should actually sell them - and why you shouldn't. Finally, we'll look into the process of becoming a licensed reseller.

Can Microsoft licenses resell?

If you are looking to make extra cash off your existing Microsft licenses then one thing you need to know before doing so is whether you can legally sell them. It's important to note here that although Microsoft does allow companies to sell their software through third parties, there are many different laws around it depending on where in the world you live. In the UK, for example, resellers must register with HMRC as well as follow strict guidelines when providing advice and guidance to customers who are purchasing software.

In Europe, though, things are slightly more relaxed. Here, Microsoft only requires its resellers to sign up to a EU Data Protection Act (DPA). Although this isn't strictly necessary, most European countries require that you comply with data protection legislation anyway. There are no restrictions placed upon resellers' ability to offer support services such as technical assistance, troubleshooting and training courses. However, it would be best to check with your local government to ensure that your country follows similar regulations.

The EU DPA states that resellers "must not provide information which discloses personal details relating to individuals." Personal details include names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. A breach of the law may result in fines being levied against both the individual and the organisation responsible for breaching the DPA. As far as the US is concerned, resellers aren't required to abide by any specific rules. They simply have to meet certain criteria set out by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). These criteria stipulate that companies cannot use misleading practices to encourage sales. Furthermore, they cannot misrepresent themselves as independent experts or representatives of a manufacturer or distributor.

You may find yourself wondering whether you can sell Microsoft software outside of these territories too. Unfortunately, there is nothing stopping you from offering software for resale outside of these regions. You just won't receive much in return for doing so. For example, if you were to sell Windows 10 Pro via Amazon Marketplace, you'd likely lose out on 30% of the price paid by buyers. But it is possible to earn a commission based on sales elsewhere. Just remember that every country has its own laws surrounding the issue of reselling. So, if you plan on making a lot of money from selling Microsoft software, it makes sense to avoid doing so in areas where there are stricter laws.

Is buying a product key legal?

There is another aspect to the legality of reselling Microsoft software. Some governments prohibit the purchase of product keys outright. Others restrict the resale of product keys within a particular territory. And others impose limits on the amount of product keys that can be bought. To determine exactly what each region prohibits, you'll first need to access the relevant laws.

Generally speaking, however, you can expect that products will continue to work after having been transferred between people. In fact, you may even be able to make additional profits from the software once it leaves your hands. That said, Microsoft recommends that you destroy the original packaging and product key. Doing so prevents anyone from installing software without paying for it.

What is a computer reseller?

Before moving on to the next section, let us clarify something. When we talk about 'computer resellers', we mean people who buy computers and sell them again. Most often, they do this because they've had issues getting machines working properly or they want to upgrade them to newer models. Computer dealerships usually operate under franchises or partnerships with manufacturers. Thus, they typically take care of everything related to manufacturing and distribution while keeping their clients happy.

Computer resellers tend to focus mainly on hardware rather than software. Many times they deal exclusively in new PCs, laptops, tablets and phones. Other times, they may specialise in refurbished devices or offer repair services. Either way, they generally take care of customer service needs like warranty repairs, upgrades, installation and maintenance.

How do I become a software dealer?

Whether you decide to become a computer reseller or a software dealer depends entirely on your area of expertise. Resellers tend to focus on the physical side of computers whilst selling operating systems and applications. On the other hand, software dealers work mostly with end users. Their job involves taking care of customers' general computing problems, including setting up accounts, handling installations and supporting ongoing usage.

Regardless of what kind of reseller you choose to go down, you'll probably be asked to complete a form detailing your qualifications and experience. Once you've done that, you'll often be given a list of potential partners that you can contact. In order to join forces with someone, you'll either need to pay a fee or agree to give away 5% of your earnings. After joining forces, you will then need to attend seminars and workshops held by your partner. At these events, you'll learn more about the industry and gain insight into various aspects of running successful operations.

Once you've completed these tasks, you can officially call yourself an expert. From now on, you can advertise your skills and services and charge whatever rate you see fit. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. For instance, in some cases, you may still need to pass exams to prove your knowledge. Or, perhaps you're restricted from advertising your services if you haven't yet passed your professional qualification exam.

These days, reselling Microsoft Office suites isn't difficult at all. Thanks to Microsoft's online marketplace, your chances of success are high. Not only that, but you can easily manage your inventory and payments thanks to automated processes. Plus, you can rest assured knowing that your software comes backed by a 90 day guarantee. With that in mind, you really have very little reason not to try.