I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold quite a 
lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be looking 
for a few more in the future.

I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it. I 
thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and then 
contacting Microsoft, but not so.

Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid number. I 
have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it 
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by changing a 
key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still says I have a 
"Valid copy of Windows"

I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!

Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.

Steven.

In article , Steven 
Campbell says...
> 
> I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold quite a 
> lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be looking 
> for a few more in the future.
> 
> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it. I 
> thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and then 
> contacting Microsoft, but not so.
> 
> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid number. I 
> have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it 
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by changing a 
> key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still says I have a 
> "Valid copy of Windows"
> 
> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
> 
> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
> 
> Steven.

TBH unless you went out and spent a shitload of money on a full retail 
version, it wouldn't be "legitimate" anyway. The OEM version is only 
for new built PCs, not to be installed later. The Upgrade is only for 
upgrading from an installed and licenced Win98/2k OS.

If it passes WGA checks, leave it alone. Use the new key if you have to 
reinstall.

-- 
Conor

I only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't 
looking good either. - Scott Adams

"Steven Campbell"  wrote in message 
news:0cWdnZcpy5_WAdHXnZ2dnUVZ8jmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
>I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold quite 
>a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be 
>looking for a few more in the future.
>
> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it. I 
> thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and 
> then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>
> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid number. 
> I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it 
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by changing 
> a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still says I have 
> a "Valid copy of Windows"
>
> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
>
> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
>
> Steven.
>

Re-install with a OEM xp pro disk and use your bought key then it will 
activate.

Geri wrote:

> 
> "Steven Campbell"  wrote in message
> news:0cWdnZcpy5_WAdHXnZ2dnUVZ8jmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
>>I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold quite
>>a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be
>>looking for a few more in the future.
>>
>> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it.
>> I thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and
>> then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>>
>> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid
>> number. I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by
>> changing a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still
>> says I have a "Valid copy of Windows"
>>
>> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
>>
>> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
>>
>> Steven.
>>
> 
> Re-install with a OEM xp pro disk and use your bought key then it will
> activate.

But still won't be legal unless the key came with the PC you're installing
on - OEM key's aren't legally transferable between machines.

There is currently no easy way to convert from illegal to legal XP - the
only legal way is to buy a new PC with XP included and only use it on that
PC (currently XP is only supplied with netbooks) or buy a retail copy which
would have to be old stock as they were taken off the shelves when Vista
was released.

Conor wrote:

> In article , Steven
> Campbell says...
>> 
>> I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold
>> quite a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will
>> be looking for a few more in the future.
>> 
>> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it.
>> I thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and
>> then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>> 
>> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid
>> number. I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by
>> changing a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still
>> says I have a "Valid copy of Windows"
>> 
>> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
>> 
>> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
>> 
>> Steven.
> 
> TBH unless you went out and spent a shitload of money on a full retail
> version, it wouldn't be "legitimate" anyway. The OEM version is only
> for new built PCs, not to be installed later. The Upgrade is only for
> upgrading from an installed and licenced Win98/2k OS.

And as Retail copies of XP have been discontinued the only ways to get the
machine legal if it didn't come with a license are to find retail as old
stock, downgrade to Vista, or switch to Linux

Steven Campbell wrote:
> I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold
> quite a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I
> will be looking for a few more in the future.
>
> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on
> it. I thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I
> bought and then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>
> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid
> number. I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874


Well that won't work as you don't have a valid VLK to replace it with and 
it's not what you want to do anyway.

"Nigel Feltham"  wrote in message 
news:9tSdnYSZksoTotDXnZ2dnUVZ8ohi4p2d@brightview.co.uk...
> Geri wrote:
>
>>
>> "Steven Campbell"  wrote in message
>> news:0cWdnZcpy5_WAdHXnZ2dnUVZ8jmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
>>>I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold 
>>>quite
>>>a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be
>>>looking for a few more in the future.
>>>
>>> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it.
>>> I thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and
>>> then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>>>
>>> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid
>>> number. I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by
>>> changing a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still
>>> says I have a "Valid copy of Windows"
>>>
>>> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
>>>
>>> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
>>>
>>> Steven.
>>>
>>
>> Re-install with a OEM xp pro disk and use your bought key then it will
>> activate.
>
> But still won't be legal unless the key came with the PC you're installing
> on - OEM key's aren't legally transferable between machines.


EU law says different.
--

In article <h2kd3j$2kl7$1@energise.enta.net>, Niel J Humphreys says...
> 
> "Nigel Feltham"  wrote in message 
> news:9tSdnYSZksoTotDXnZ2dnUVZ8ohi4p2d@brightview.co.uk...
> > Geri wrote:
> >
> >>
> >> "Steven Campbell"  wrote in message
> >> news:0cWdnZcpy5_WAdHXnZ2dnUVZ8jmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
> >>>I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold 
> >>>quite
> >>>a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be
> >>>looking for a few more in the future.
> >>>
> >>> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it.
> >>> I thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and
> >>> then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
> >>>
> >>> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid
> >>> number. I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it
> >>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by
> >>> changing a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still
> >>> says I have a "Valid copy of Windows"
> >>>
> >>> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
> >>>
> >>> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
> >>>
> >>> Steven.
> >>>
> >>
> >> Re-install with a OEM xp pro disk and use your bought key then it will
> >> activate.
> >
> > But still won't be legal unless the key came with the PC you're installing
> > on - OEM key's aren't legally transferable between machines.
> 
> 
> EU law says different.

"legal" as in contracutal law, not criminal.


-- 
Conor

I only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't 
looking good either. - Scott Adams

"Conor"  wrote in message 
news:MPG.24b7e348f7aa5a4b989702@news.eternal-september.org...
> In article <h2kd3j$2kl7$1@energise.enta.net>, Niel J Humphreys says...
>>
>> "Nigel Feltham"  wrote in message
>> news:9tSdnYSZksoTotDXnZ2dnUVZ8ohi4p2d@brightview.co.uk...
>> > Geri wrote:
>> >
>> >>
>> >> "Steven Campbell"  wrote in message
>> >> news:0cWdnZcpy5_WAdHXnZ2dnUVZ8jmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
>> >>>I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold
>> >>>quite
>> >>>a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be
>> >>>looking for a few more in the future.
>> >>>
>> >>> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on 
>> >>> it.
>> >>> I thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought 
>> >>> and
>> >>> then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>> >>>
>> >>> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid
>> >>> number. I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it
>> >>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by
>> >>> changing a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it 
>> >>> still
>> >>> says I have a "Valid copy of Windows"
>> >>>
>> >>> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
>> >>>
>> >>> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >> Re-install with a OEM xp pro disk and use your bought key then it will
>> >> activate.
>> >
>> > But still won't be legal unless the key came with the PC you're 
>> > installing
>> > on - OEM key's aren't legally transferable between machines.
>>
>>
>> EU law says different.
>
> "legal" as in contracutal law, not criminal.

There's no connection with criminal law anyway. You are the only one who 
mentioned it
It's not against contractual (note spelling) in the EEC either.
Start googling if you haven't a clue.

Niel J Humphreys wrote:
> 
> EU law says different.

To clarify, EU law disallows contractual attempts to block resale or 
lock one product to another. Last time I checked, Microsoft's OEM 
license doesn't even bother to violate this - it simply requires you to 
affix the COAs to a PC when you install OEM Windows.

In practise whoever can afford the lawyers wins, so anyone attempting to 
openly resell COAs on a commercial basis doesn't stay in business for long.


-- 
John Jordan

"Nigel Feltham"  wrote in message 
news:9tSdnYSZksoTotDXnZ2dnUVZ8ohi4p2d@brightview.co.uk...
> Geri wrote:
>
>>
>> "Steven Campbell"  wrote in message
>> news:0cWdnZcpy5_WAdHXnZ2dnUVZ8jmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
>>>I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold 
>>>quite
>>>a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be
>>>looking for a few more in the future.
>>>
>>> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it.
>>> I thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and
>>> then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>>>
>>> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid
>>> number. I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it
>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by
>>> changing a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still
>>> says I have a "Valid copy of Windows"
>>>
>>> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
>>>
>>> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
>>>
>>> Steven.
>>>
>>
>> Re-install with a OEM xp pro disk and use your bought key then it will
>> activate.
>
> But still won't be legal unless the key came with the PC you're installing
> on - OEM key's aren't legally transferable between machines.
>
> There is currently no easy way to convert from illegal to legal XP - the
> only legal way is to buy a new PC with XP included and only use it on that
> PC (currently XP is only supplied with netbooks) or buy a retail copy 
> which
> would have to be old stock as they were taken off the shelves when Vista
> was released.

As far as I'm concerned, so long as it installs, passes activation, passes 
WGA and runs updates - that's 'legal' enough for me. If they are of a mind 
to block those features that's when I'll be of a mind to come up with 
another idea.

Nigel Feltham wrote:
> Geri wrote:
>
>
> But still won't be legal unless the key came with the PC you're
> installing on - OEM key's aren't legally transferable between
> machines.

Really? Which source of English Law do you base that assertion on?

Gaz

Conor wrote:
> In article <h2kd3j$2kl7$1@energise.enta.net>, Niel J Humphreys says...
>>
>> "Nigel Feltham"  wrote in message
>> news:9tSdnYSZksoTotDXnZ2dnUVZ8ohi4p2d@brightview.co.uk...
>>> Geri wrote:
>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Steven Campbell"  wrote in message
>>>> news:0cWdnZcpy5_WAdHXnZ2dnUVZ8jmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
>>>>> I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and
>>>>> sold quite
>>>>> a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will
>>>>> be looking for a few more in the future.
>>>>>
>>>>> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key
>>>>> on it. I thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA
>>>>> that I bought and then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>>>>>
>>>>> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid
>>>>> number. I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it
>>>>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by
>>>>> changing a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it
>>>>> still says I have a "Valid copy of Windows"
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
>>>>>
>>>>> Steven.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Re-install with a OEM xp pro disk and use your bought key then it
>>>> will activate.
>>>
>>> But still won't be legal unless the key came with the PC you're
>>> installing on - OEM key's aren't legally transferable between
>>> machines.
>>
>>
>> EU law says different.
>
> "legal" as in contracutal law, not criminal.

Tort.... Even then, i suspect the EULA enforcement is unlikely to hold up in 
court, but who has pockets to match microsoft?

Gaz

gaz wrote:

> Nigel Feltham wrote:
>> Geri wrote:
>>
>>
>> But still won't be legal unless the key came with the PC you're
>> installing on - OEM key's aren't legally transferable between
>> machines.
> 
> Really? Which source of English Law do you base that assertion on?
> 
> Gaz

In fact the rules are even sillier for businesses - if you get a BSA audit
they won't even accept having OEM stickers that came with the PC as valid
proof you own the software and want itemised receipts for the PC (dated
before their first letter) showing what software should be on it. Receipts
from ebay traders, private sellers and bankrupt companies are also not
accepted as valid proof (a company being put under new ownership can also
invalidate their software licenses).

You may be in the right under English law but if you're fined for illegally
using software despite having the correct stickers on your PC do you want
to risk a court automatically siding with the BSA and company directors
going to prison because of it. Most companies just pay the fines whether
they're justified of not as refusing to pay can mean the hardware is
confiscated (together with all your company data - making it hard to keep
trading) until the court verdict.

The situation is really stupid - the BSA claim that agreeing to a software
EULA means they can audit your company at any time (and even remove
hardware for external audits) yet they will still claim companies have
agreed to this audit when the company runs 100% open-source software so
have never agreed to a single EULA (and running pirated software can also
mean you've never agreed to an EULA as some dodgy copies have it removed).

There have been cases where legitimately bought software has been moved
between departments in a company (when one department upgrades their PC's
and the old ones get handed down to another dept) where the company then
gets fined by the BSA for being unable to provide sales receipts for that
software showing who it was bought for (they wouldn't accept receipts from
the dept that originally bought it as valid proof) and at least one case
where a company was fined for every bit of software installed on their
laptops despite having valid stickers and the original laptop boxes where
all the software was listed - but no itemised sales receipt to back it up.

The BSA are bastards, no easy way to avoid being fined by them once they
come knocking unless you've documented everything (even worse than the tax
office - the tax man only requires receipts to be kept for 5 years, the BSA
may require receipts for that win95 machine sat in the corner of the office
you've forgotten about)  - however it's extremely rare for home users to be
audited so if the PC is at home just carry on and forget about it.

"Steven Campbell"  wrote in message 
news:0cWdnZcpy5_WAdHXnZ2dnUVZ8jmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
>I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold quite 
>a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be 
>looking for a few more in the future.
>
> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it. I 
> thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and 
> then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>
> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid number. 
> I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it 
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by changing 
> a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still says I have 
> a "Valid copy of Windows"
>
> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
>
> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.


Wow, thanks for the insight folks.
I know it probably won't make any difference but the COA's came with parts 
from the donor machines.
Guess I'll have to stay illegal until I need to reformat.
Or can I re-install windows over itself without losing my data?

Interestingly, I have been at the windows update page before and failed 
their checks and it has directed me to a page offering to sell me a legal 
copy of windows. But I was always under the impression they only sold you 
the licence ie a legal key as they weren't actually interested in what 
software you were running! If so how would that work?

Thanks again.

Steven.

"Steven Campbell"  wrote in message 
news:Q6qdnbqFN97nC9PXnZ2dnUVZ8rudnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
>
> "Steven Campbell"  wrote in message 
> news:0cWdnZcpy5_WAdHXnZ2dnUVZ8jmdnZ2d@brightview.co.uk...
>>I know this is slightly off topic but since they are bought and sold quite 
>>a lot on here I would really appreciate some guidance plus I will be 
>>looking for a few more in the future.
>>
>> I've been running an evaluation copy of XP Pro that had a VLK key on it. 
>> I thought I had nothing more to do than entering a COA that I bought and 
>> then contacting Microsoft, but not so.
>>
>> Every key changer I have used, MagicBean, RockXP4 has said invalid 
>> number. I have even tried using Microsofts own way of doing it 
>> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;328874 by 
>> changing a key in the registry but when I do that and re boot it still 
>> says I have a "Valid copy of Windows"
>>
>> I'm trying to go legal but it won't let me!!!
>>
>> Thanks for any help or for re-directing me.
>
>
> Wow, thanks for the insight folks.
> I know it probably won't make any difference but the COA's came with parts 
> from the donor machines.
> Guess I'll have to stay illegal until I need to reformat.
> Or can I re-install windows over itself without losing my data?
>
> Interestingly, I have been at the windows update page before and failed 
> their checks and it has directed me to a page offering to sell me a legal 
> copy of windows. But I was always under the impression they only sold you 
> the licence ie a legal key as they weren't actually interested in what 
> software you were running! If so how would that work?
>
> Thanks again.
>
> Steven.

If you're determined to 'go legal' why not fit a new drive in your pc and 
install onto that with your valid COA key, then port your data over. Drives 
are cheap and you have the benefit of having your data backed-up on a 
pre-installed ready-to-go drive.

Nigel Feltham wrote:
> gaz wrote:
>
>> Nigel Feltham wrote:
>>> Geri wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> But still won't be legal unless the key came with the PC you're
>>> installing on - OEM key's aren't legally transferable between
>>> machines.
>>
>> Really? Which source of English Law do you base that assertion on?
>>
>> Gaz

> The BSA are bastards, no easy way to avoid being fined by them once
> they come knocking unless you've documented everything (even worse
> than the tax office - the tax man only requires receipts to be kept
> for 5 years, the BSA may require receipts for that win95 machine sat
> in the corner of the office you've forgotten about)  - however it's
> extremely rare for home users to be audited so if the PC is at home
> just carry on and forget about it.

I assume the BSA is business software alliance. Under what authority would 
these people carry out their activities? Why would they ever be invited into 
a business to do an audit? Their activities seem neither proportional or 
reasonable.

Gaz

Nigel Feltham wrote:
> gaz wrote:
>

>
> The BSA are bastards, no easy way to avoid being fined by them once
> they come knocking unless you've documented everything (even worse
> than the tax office - the tax man only requires receipts to be kept
> for 5 years, the BSA may require receipts for that win95 machine sat
> in the corner of the office you've forgotten about)  - however it's
> extremely rare for home users to be audited so if the PC is at home
> just carry on and forget about it.

Only a court of law can issue a fine, nobody else, a right established eight 
hundred yeara ago.

Gaz

gaz wrote:

> Nigel Feltham wrote:
>> gaz wrote:
>>
> 
>>
>> The BSA are bastards, no easy way to avoid being fined by them once
>> they come knocking unless you've documented everything (even worse
>> than the tax office - the tax man only requires receipts to be kept
>> for 5 years, the BSA may require receipts for that win95 machine sat
>> in the corner of the office you've forgotten about)  - however it's
>> extremely rare for home users to be audited so if the PC is at home
>> just carry on and forget about it.
> 
> Only a court of law can issue a fine, nobody else, a right established
> eight hundred yeara ago.
> 
> Gaz

Doesn't stop police or traffic wardens giving on-the-spot fines or councils
giving parking fines without going anywhere near court though.

The way the BSA impose fines is by getting Trading standards to do their
dirty work - refuse to provide results of a self-audit to the BSA or if
they don't believe your audit is correct the business can get Trading
standards taking their hardware away for investigation for up to 30 days
with no chance of compensation when the BSA is found to be in the wrong.

Try running your business for 30 days without access to your customer lists,
accounts, etc and if Trading standards permanently lose your hardware or
data there's no comeback there either so most businesses find it easiest to
just go along with whatever the BSA want to avoid any aggro.

The software industry have unfortunately got so many people in their pockets
high up in the UK legal system they're now above the law - selling Pirate
CD's can get you a longer sentence than Murder these days.

The system of bribary to governments by large software companies is so
corrupt that MS managed to get their OOXML office standard approved by the
ISO without a single product having implemented the standard (Not even MS
Office can open or create documents complying with this approved standard)
just to sabotage an existing ISO standard (ODF format) already supported by
around 10 of their rivals - several governments have since admitted taking
bribes to give their approval to the MS standard without even reading it.

In article , Nigel 
Feltham says...
> 
> gaz wrote:
> 
> > Nigel Feltham wrote:
> >> gaz wrote:
> >>
> > 
> >>
> >> The BSA are bastards, no easy way to avoid being fined by them once
> >> they come knocking unless you've documented everything (even worse
> >> than the tax office - the tax man only requires receipts to be kept
> >> for 5 years, the BSA may require receipts for that win95 machine sat
> >> in the corner of the office you've forgotten about)  - however it's
> >> extremely rare for home users to be audited so if the PC is at home
> >> just carry on and forget about it.
> > 
> > Only a court of law can issue a fine, nobody else, a right established
> > eight hundred yeara ago.
> > 
> > Gaz
> 
> Doesn't stop police or traffic wardens giving on-the-spot fines or councils
> giving parking fines without going anywhere near court though.
> 
You'll find they're fixed penalty notices which are not the same.



-- 
Conor

I only please one person per day. Today is not your day. Tomorrow isn't 
looking good either. - Scott Adams

Nigel Feltham wrote:
> gaz wrote:
>
>> Nigel Feltham wrote:
>>> gaz wrote:
>>>
>>
>>>
>>> The BSA are bastards, no easy way to avoid being fined by them once
>>> they come knocking unless you've documented everything (even worse
>>> than the tax office - the tax man only requires receipts to be kept
>>> for 5 years, the BSA may require receipts for that win95 machine sat
>>> in the corner of the office you've forgotten about)  - however it's
>>> extremely rare for home users to be audited so if the PC is at home
>>> just carry on and forget about it.
>>
>> Only a court of law can issue a fine, nobody else, a right
>> established eight hundred yeara ago.
>>
>> Gaz
>
> Doesn't stop police or traffic wardens giving on-the-spot fines or
> councils giving parking fines without going anywhere near court
> though.

Actually, it does, they are Penalty Charge Notices, not fines. Only a 
criminal court can issue a fine.


> The way the BSA impose fines is by getting Trading standards to do
> their dirty work - refuse to provide results of a self-audit to the
> BSA or if they don't believe your audit is correct the business can
> get Trading standards taking their hardware away for investigation
> for up to 30 days with no chance of compensation when the BSA is
> found to be in the wrong.

BSA have no statutory powers.

> Try running your business for 30 days without access to your customer
> lists, accounts, etc and if Trading standards permanently lose your
> hardware or data there's no comeback there either so most businesses
> find it easiest to just go along with whatever the BSA want to avoid
> any aggro.

British courts do not give punative damages generally, purchasing the 
license is generally enough to satisfy a judge. As would a COA sticker on 
the side of your machine.

Gaz