Glossary

 

Did you come across an unfamiliar term while validating your software or while searching for other information? Use the Glossary to find definitions of common terms used on the Genuine Microsoft Software Web site.

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) is a sticker or label that is often attached to the body of a computer or to the retail packaging and helps users identify genuine Microsoft^® software. A COA is not a software license – it is a visual identifier that assists in determining whether or not the Microsoft software running on a PC is genuine. A COA should never be purchased by itself without the software it authenticates. Learn more about COAs.

Counterfeit software is the illegal duplication and sale of copyrighted material with the intent of directly imitating the copyrighted product. In the case of packaged software, it is common to find counterfeit copies of the CDs or diskettes incorporating the software programs, as well as related packaging, manuals, license agreements, labels, registration cards and security features.