Counterfeit software can be a serious threat. It can lead to a corrupted system, a loss of data, or even identity theft, so it’s important to know that you’re getting genuine Microsoft software at your point of purchase. Print this page and take it with you when you go shopping, because the following five questions will help you determine whether the software you’re purchasing is genuine. If you are not quite ready to make a purchase, add this page to your favorites in order to easily refer back to this information in the future.

	Print this check list and take it with you when shopping for genuine Microsoft software.			Download this check list and take it with you when shopping for genuine Microsoft software.

Am I buying from a reputable reseller?

Buy from resellers who sell only genuine Microsoft software. Locate a reputable reseller using local resources such as a Chamber of Commerce, the Better Business Bureau, and consumer publications.

In addition to local resellers, you also have the option to purchase genuine Microsoft software online. Learn more about the digital download options at www.microsoft.com/howtotell/digitalpurchases.

Is a holographic disc or recovery media included?

Many Microsoft products ship on hologram CDs or DVDs in order to protect against counterfeiting.

A hologram disc features a holographic image on the surface of the disc. This holographic image is part of the disc itself; it is not a sticker.

TIP: Inspect the edge of the disc and make sure that the hologram is not a sticker. Try to lift the hologram with your finger. Since the hologram is part of the disc itself, it should not lift off.

Note: Genuine Windows software purchased with a new computer may come with recovery media. Recovery media is an installation disc used to restore your Microsoft software in case it fails. Your computer manufacturer should provide a means of recovering your genuine Microsoft software. This may include a hologram CD, DVD, or another form of media.

Are the product packaging and documentation high quality?

One of the clearest indications that you are purchasing genuine Microsoft software is professionally produced packaging and documentation.

TIP: Inspect the packaging to make sure that it’s of high quality. As said above, you should see the COA affixed to the outside of the packaging. You should not, however, see the 25-character product key on the outside of the package. Microsoft will never print a product key directly on the software packaging and it should not be visible prior to purchase.

Learn more about current counterfeiting scams and see images of counterfeit software at www.microsoft.com/howtotell/counterfeit.

Is the software properly licensed for sale?

Software can be sold in a number of different ways. Familiarize yourself with this list of tips to help make sure that the software you’re purchasing is legitimately licensed:

• Some software is only for sale with a computer, not by itself
• Some software is meant to only be distributed in certain regions
• Selling used software has special requirements (for example, typically the software can only be running on one computer at a time)
• The software should have manuals or other accompanying documentation
• Trial or promotional software typically can’t be resold
• Specially licensed software such as academic software often restricts who can purchase the software

TIP: Make sure to check with the reseller and ask if the software is properly licensed. For example, software marked “Not for Resale” (NFR), promotional, and specially licensed software such as academic versions are sometimes sold as full versions of the software.

The sale or use of Microsoft software is subject to the Software License Terms Agreement. Review the license terms for your Microsoft software to be sure that it’s being used properly.

Also included in the agreement are restrictions against reverse engineering, leasing, or renting the software and other restrictions that apply to the particular software. In addition, the agreement describes the terms under which you may make a backup or archival copy of the software, and it details the limited warranty provided for the product.

For more information about use terms, visit www.microsoft.com/useterms.

1. Don’t buy the software.
2. Submit a counterfeit report at www.microsoft.com/howtotell/report or at piracy@microsoft.com. In your report, explain where you found the software and what seemed suspicious.
3. Be sure you’re buying from a reputable source such as major retailers or other recognized resellers.
4. If you’d like to see if the software you’re currently running is genuine, you can go to www.microsoft.com/genuine to validate your copy of Windows.