Interesting subject, though - the legality of buying something whose original owners are unknown.
With a Operating systems Key that is like a VIN I suppose if it was ever actually registered vs just activated Microsoft would know. An inquiry to a key with Microsoft would likely black list that key though.
Thank Goodness for no annual town/state registration fees and no bill of sale needed to legally own and use a computer like a car. If computers were taxed like automobiles in my state of New Hampshire for annual registration fees I'd probably be still sporting a Pentium 3. New Hampshire btw has a luxury tax system on autos where you pay heavily on registration fees the first 3 to 5 years of the auto's life, and then its depreciative in the cost for older automobiles until you get to a rock bottom fee based on weight and axles etc. I held out as long as I could with having to buy a new car. Drove a 1997 Mazda 626 and 1998 Honda Civic EX VTEC. Bought them when they were about 9 years old ( both of them southern cars that never seen much salt with Mazda from North Carolina and Honda a once stolen car from Florida. The Mazda 626 died due to rust rot of New England salt bath 5 months of every year at 15 years old and 6 of the years exposed to heavy salt, and the Honda Civic is 18 years old and might not make its way to the road again due to rot after its been exposed for 9 years to heavy salt bathing. When the brake lines and fuel lines rotted out after 17 years I was forced to get into a lease on a 2016 Hyundai Elantra and while I like the Elantra a lot. The state really liked getting me for almost $500. The 1997 Mazda was $103 a year and 1998 Honda Civic was like $114 a year. This year when the registration runs out it will be another $400-$500 registration. The Honda I just need to patch it up of holes, replace fuel line, and then try to sell it for $1000 to some kid that wants a VTEC Civic 2 door with plenty of power still at the wheels who will likely put low profile wheels on it a huge muffler tip and sound system that exceeds the vehicles worth by about $2000. Already replaced the brake lines in it and then winter struck in which its too cold to work on cars out doors.
But in a state with no income tax, I guess they have to get money from some other means. State motto is "Live Free or Die" ... the state is not that bad compared to others, but they get you with luxury taxation on your property.
Ending it here since its gone off subject slightly...
