A cheap Microsoft Office license can be easily found online. Prices like €19 for the standard Office 2019, or even as low as €9 for Windows 10 are very common. While these offers may look appealing, many buyers are wondering whether if such cheap Microsoft Office licenses is actually legal.
In this blog, we explain how to recognize illegal Microsoft licenses, what risks are involved, and how to safely buy legal Microsoft Office licenses or any other pre-owned software.
How to recognize illegal Microsoft licenses
Many websites offer free or extremely cheap Microsoft Office licenses for download. In most cases, these offers are not legal. A genuine Microsoft Office 2019 license may only be activated on one device at a time. When a product key is openly shared online, it is often used by multiple people and thus not legal.
Furthermore, illegal Microsoft licenses are frequently based on MSDN (Microsoft Developer Network) licenses. These licenses are created for developers and testing purposes only. They are not intended for business or personal use. Even though the software may be successfully activated, using such a license violates Microsoft licensing terms.
Microsoft actively checks license compliance. During a software audit, the use of an illegal Microsoft license can result in fines of up to €60,000. therefore, it is essential to choose a reliable supplier.
Read more about Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).
Cheap Office license: what are you really buying?
A reasonably cheap Office license does not automatically mean the license is illegal. There are legitimate companies, including Softtrader, that sell Microsoft Office at a lower price. When the price is far below the Microsoft suggested retail price, there are usually two possibilities:
• The license is a legal Pre-Owned Microsoft license
• The license is illegal or improperly obtained
For many customers, this difference is difficult to verify. At Softtrader, every Microsoft license is carefully checked before resale. We only sell verified European licenses that fully comply with EU legislation. In the unlikely event of a Microsoft audit, our customers are always protected. Since 2013, Softtrader has never faced any audit issue. With us, you have a 100% guarantee on legal pre-owned software on all of our products and offers such as Microsoft Office and Windows Server.
Read more about how to verify used Microsoft licenses.
Pre-Owned Software Rules
In order to sell second-hand software, suppliers must comply with a number of rules to prevent software producers from being exploited.. These rules are established by the European Court in its 2012 judgment:
- The license must be valid indefinitely. Licenses that are only valid for a few years may not be resold.
- When a license is resold, it may no longer be used by the seller. As it is still forbidden to run multiple devices on a single license at the same time.
- Licenses may only be resold if an economic price was originally paid for them.
Only European licenses may be resold.
If the above requirements are met, you can safely buy second-hand Office 2019.
Learn more about perpetual licenses.
European Court Ruling On Legal Microsoft Licenses
The European Court ruled in 2012 that a perpetual Microsoft license is valid for life. Once the original buyer has paid for the license, Microsoft has received full compensation. Preventing resale would unfairly limit the rights of the license owner.
As long as the original user stops using the software and all legal requirements are met, the resale of Microsoft Office licenses is allowed. This ruling forms the legal basis for the pre-owned software resale in Europe. Thanks to this decision, Softtrader can offer affordable, reliable, and legal Microsoft licenses to businesses and individuals.
Read more about the official judgment from the European Court of Justice.
Cheap Microsoft licenses: suppliers
A reliable supplier is crucial when buying cheap Microsoft licenses. You can quickly get an idea of the type of company you are dealing with by looking at factors such as the website location and reviews. You can also check whether the company is registered, for example at the chamber of commerce.
If a supplier offers software at extremely low prices without mentioning that it concerns used software, alarm bells should start ringing. With these suppliers you can almost certainly assume that they are selling illegal licenses.
Transparency is extremely important. It is therefore also important that the required documents are shared during the transaction. Also pay attention to whether the license can actually be reused.
Over the years Softtrader has helped more than 1000 organizations across Europe without any issues. Softtrader has a broad network of companies from which software is purchased and sold. This allows Softtrader to obtain very cheap software licenses and resell them at a low price. If you are looking for Microsoft licenses for your organization, fill in the form below this blog to request a quote.
Buy cheap Office 2019 or 2021 licenses
Are you looking for a cheap Microsoft license such as Office 2019, Office 2021 Professional Plus or Windows 10? Or would you like to buy a cheap Office 2019 license? Or a cheap Office 2021 license? Softtrader is a specialist in second hand Microsoft licenses, allowing you to save up to 70% compared to the price of a new license. Curious about the price of a license or would you like to buy Office 2019 or 2021? Request a quote now!
Do you have questions? Contact us!
For more information about which Microsoft software and licenses are best for you, please contact us. We are available from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FAQ
Why are some Office 2019 licenses so cheap?
Office 2019 licenses are often cheaper because they are pre-owned. Many companies stop using older software when switching to newer versions or cloud solutions. These unused licenses can legally be resold, which lowers the price compared to new Microsoft licenses.
Read more about Microsoft licensing.
How can I check if my Microsoft license is legal?
A legal Microsoft license comes with proper documentation such as a clear invoice. Reliable sellers like Softtrader verify every license before resale and offer full audit protection. If a license key is shared publicly or offered for free, it is almost always illegal.
Read more about how to tell if you’re properly licensed.
What is the risk of using an illegal Microsoft license?
Using an illegal Microsoft license can result in serious consequences. Users are likely to be exposed to virus and malware attacks because of the insufficient security measures of the non-genuine version. During a Microsoft audit, companies may face fines of up to €60,000. In addition, illegal software can be deactivated without notice, causing disruption to business operations.
Read more about stay safe with a genuine Office license.
Are pre-owned Microsoft licenses safe to use?
Yes, pre-owned Microsoft licenses are safe when purchased from a certified and experienced reseller. The software functions exactly the same as a new license and receives official updates directly from Microsoft. The only difference is the lower price.
Read more about the official judgment from the European Court of Justice.
What is the difference between Office 2019 and Microsoft 365?
Office 2019 is a one-time purchase with a perpetual license, while Microsoft 365 is a subscription based service with recurring costs. Office 2019 is ideal for users who prefer a fixed price and do not need continuous feature updates.
Read more about Microsoft Office 2019.
