[wha-net-discuss] Strange thing happened to me on trademe yesterday..

[Nicholas Twist]

I don't know if anyone is interested in this or not. I'm also not 100%
sure of my rights in this situation--fairly sure..

Anyway, I've got a backplate from a  of my GFs thinkpad which I
repaired. It's got a legit CoA (Certificate of Authenticity) of
Windows XP Pro on it. I thought I'd auction it off for a bit of extra
cash. She's got Ubuntu on the main machine, and I suppose a "spare"
CoA on that "repaired" thinkpad.

As far as I'm aware there is no problem in doing this as it is a
genuine CoA and is being sold with a piece of hardware (I think OEM
CoAs need a piece of hardware to comply with a part of an agreement
somewhere). I've done this in the past and it's been fine. That is,
I've had no problems activating (yes activating) a CoA which came from
a different computer for people that have needed M$ on their
computers. Even if it came from a laptop. This is as long as it's on
one computer only (of course :-)

Anyway, trademe withdrew my auction, said it was counterfeit and told
me I had to "prove" it was genuine. I've got good feedback, been a
member for some time and they have decided somehow I am a
counterfeiter. I think there is a secret M$ plot in here somewhere to
stop people reselling CoAs.. ;-)

I've heard that they have been having some problems with counterfeits
but I am 85% sure I am completely within my rights under NZ law to
sell an unused CoA (with accompanying hardware) if I want to.

Haven't had a response yet, but I fired off an email to
ip at trademe.co.nz to say how cheesed off I am.
If anyone has a better idea about this can they let me know. Like I
said, 85% sure leaves 15% doubt in my head..