Are OEM keys legal?
Are OEM keys legal?
They exist within what are referred to as "grey" keys. Not officially recognized by law.
I investigated this topic and to sum it up, most OEM cheap online keys are against the law. However, purchasing an OEM license for a single O.S. on a new PC is legal, though it’s limited to that specific machine. I was mistaken about using it multiple times. For cheaper Steam games, I opt for G2play or Kinguin, while AAA titles or those over €50 go to the official Steam/MS store.
PS: I don't support using this repository on GitHub. Please obtain a proper license from Microsoft and avoid using it from there. Also, purchasing an OEM key isn't advisable as it's technically unlawful. I believe you grasp the point.
Technically, OEM keys are sold to companies like DELL and HP under a deal where they offer technical support. They’re also restricted to the original motherboard where Windows was first installed. These keys tend to be more affordable, often around $80 at trusted stores. If you’re referring to keys that are extremely cheap, those raise concerns. In such cases, it’s usually safer not to use Windows or to pirate it outright. Some of these keys are obtained using stolen credit cards and then resold.