Are our licences legal?

100% Original. 100% Legal. 100% Compliant.

At Mr Key Shop, transparency is a fundamental value.
Thanks to several rulings by the European Court of Justice and national courts, the resale of used or refurbished software licences is fully legitimate within the European Union.

This means that you can purchase original and legal Microsoft licences, saving money in a safe and compliant manner.

The legal basis: the 2012 European Court of Justice ruling

Ruling: EU Court of Justice, 3 July 2012 – Case C-128/11

With this historic decision, the Court ruled that software manufacturers cannot oppose the resale of used copies.
The exclusive right to distribute the programme expires with the first sale, even if the software was downloaded from the internet and not distributed on physical media.

In practice, the resale of used licences is perfectly legal, provided that the original purchaser has uninstalled their copy.

“The principle of exhaustion of the distribution right also applies to software downloaded online.” - Court of Justice of the European Union, Case C-128/11

Other rulings confirming the legality of trading in used software

2013 ruling - Federal Court of Justice (BGH, Case I ZR 129/08)

The German Federal Court confirmed the full legitimacy of trading in used software licences, fully implementing the decision of the European Court of Justice.

2014 ruling - Federal Court of Justice (BGH, Case I ZR 8/13)

With this ruling, the principle of legality has also been extended to volume licences.
The Court ruled that individual licences belonging to multiple contracts may be resold separately, making the purchase of individual licences fully legitimate and secure for the purchaser.

2016 ruling - Münster Public Procurement Chamber (Ref. VK 1-2/16)

The Court ruled that excluding used software from public tenders is contrary to the law.
The obligation to purchase only ‘new’ licences violates the principle of neutrality.
Used licences are identical to new ones, do not deviate from the original product and guarantee the same functionality.

2016 ruling - Hamburg Higher Regional Court (Ref. 406 HKO 148/16)

This ruling clarified that it is not necessary to declare the complete chain of previous owners of a software licence.
It is sufficient to demonstrate that the software was legally acquired and uninstalled by the first purchaser.

In simple terms: legal, transparent and risk-free

By purchasing from Mr Key Shop, you are choosing a 100% legal and secure solution.
Every licence is original, verified and compliant with European regulations, just like a new one, but more affordable and sustainable.

You save money, reduce your environmental impact and remain fully compliant with the law.

Security and transparency first and foremost

We guarantee a secure, traceable and completely digital purchasing process, thanks to certified suppliers, secure payments and immediate delivery via email.
That's why thousands of private customers, businesses and professionals choose Mr Key Shop every day as their reliable partner for purchasing original software.

Buy legally and conveniently

Take advantage of the opportunity to purchase original, guaranteed and fully legal licences at a competitive price.
All in compliance with EU regulations, with immediate digital delivery and free support. Buy your legal, original and secure licence now.