>There are some great deals on EBay and Online Auctions regarding many of the software we all use. I purchased a copy of NT Back Office 2.5 for 90.00. I was suspicious but thought I would chance it. I ended up purchasing an NFR copy of which I can return. In my pursuit of trying to understand what is being sold and what are my rights. MS Piracy Dept told me the following.
>
>Since they spend their money on developing the product they have the right to dictate what constitutes an authorized purchase. The following are the requirements that need to be received at point of purchase.
>
>1). CD Rom
>2). Manuals
>3). Certificate of Authenticity.
>4). EULA (End users license agreement)
>5). Registration Card.
>
>If you purchase and receive all five of these items and one item is a fake, Microsoft will supply you with a free replacement item. You must have all five items to constitiute legal usage. I thought this statement was interesting and I am sure it can raise a healthy debate.

Manuals? when was the last time you bought Development software from Microsoft and got the manuals? Does the MSDN CD count?

BTW- I purchased VS 6.0 Enterprise through E-Bay for $375. Came with everything, but was not in the original box. All the software was sealed. The return address on the box was "Such-n-such Bankruptcy Liquidators".