Open license and product activation

[blackrabbit]

We have windows server 2003 and windows xp CD's that are part of a volume license package with license keys that we got from microsoft. When they were installed here in the office I don't recall ever having to activate the software, infact I've used the xp cd multiple times to install and re-install systems. Here are my questions:

Am I right in thinking that these "non-retail" versions have no product activation?

I think that one of our IT guys who left recently made copies of the 2003 and xp for his own use, is there any way we can find out?

Can microsoft tell that he is using it somehow?

When our license agreement is up for renewal are we going to get in trouble if he has made us go over our allowed licenses?

Or he did get off scott free with copies of and product keys for our software?

We keep our software and license keys locked up in out IT office but we are a small company with only a few IT guy so we don't restrict IT access to it. If someone in out IT dept needs to use them for a system or what ever we just go get them.

 

[snootalope]

Do you have any clue how many illegal copy's of Windows XP there are out there..

I don't suppose M$ could care less if someone installs one single instance of their operating system by stealing it from your business and using your business product key..

They say that M$ can track every installation key and that periodicly their clearing house goes through a list of all these machine's and if it finds an illegal (or duplicate) it can send some kind of "kill" to that machine.. yeah..ok

In other words, you probably can't get a bit of help from M$.. Unless he used it at another business or something, then he might have a good chance of getting hammered, or if he was selling copies of it..

My advice: Don't loose sleep over it..

snoots

"tis better to remain silent and be thought of as a fool..
then open your mouth and remove all doubt" Mark Twain

"I should of been a doctor.." Me

 

[blackrabbit]

thanks. I guess we'll have to keep closer tabs on who uses the cd's and when.

 

[WillShakespeare]

blackrabbit,

Don't worry, as snoots says. It is not your responsibility if the IT guy took copies. If you really didn't like the guy, then you could report him to FAST, and they would raid his house and charge him a fine, or he could go to prison... but I doubt you hated him THAT much!
Chances are he's only using them to learn from, which is IMO, although against the rules, okay. Server software is sooo expensive that the average Joe who just wants to futher his knowledge to get a better job and feed his family, has no chance, unless a company sends him for training... and sadly that's quite uncommon, even when companies have a "training" budget!
Incidentally, Microsoft recently changed their licensing policy on Office XP and 2003. Each of your employees who has a computer at home is legally entitled to have Office installed at work, and at home under the same product key! Chances are future desktop Professional OS's will likely go the same way... but not yet!

Will

 

[blackrabbit]

Thats true, no one can really afford the software on thier own. Thats how I learned windows 2000 server a few years back. I don't want him to get busted or anything, I was more conerned for me/ the company. Thanks.

 

[WillShakespeare]

The only thing that would hurt the company is if you have say 50 copies installed on your machines, but only 30 Open licences.
I am not too sure about the multiple usage of license keys as the other chap said, with Microsoft having some kill switch out there, because at my old job, we used only one of the Open license keys for all fo the computers on the network!!
However, where you might want to look out, is if your IT guy may have inadvertently left installed Share-ware which is out of date. This can hurt the company if found out by FAST!

Will

 

[blackrabbit]

thats what we are doing, we have a vloume license key for xp and 2003 and we just use one cd for all our computers when they get installed.

 

[Tbarney]

And to answer the other part of your question about activation. The "Corporate Versions" of Windows products like XP Pro, Office, etc require no activation.

That's how I learned too. Took it home and played on it, did not sell it or give it away.... Now Microsoft makes more money from selling liscences to the companies I work for.

Working on Evaluation version of SBS right now. fun stuff...