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Is it legal to buy used software?

Yes. Buying previously used software licences is clearly legally permitted in Switzerland and the EU, settled by the highest courts since 2012. Here is the specific legal basis and what you should check as a buyer.

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Yes, buying previously used software licences is clearly legally permitted in Switzerland and the EU. CJEU C-128/11 and Art. 12 para. 2 URG. Details explained.

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The legal situation in two sentences

The ruling of the European Court of Justice C-128/11 of 03/07/2012 extended the "principle of exhaustion" to software delivered digitally: anyone who lawfully acquires a licence may resell it. Conditions: lawful initial placing on the market within the EU, proper deletion at the previous owner, and a seamless proof of purchase.

An analogous legal situation applies in Switzerland under Art. 12 para. 2 of the Copyright Act (URG), likewise the principle of exhaustion for copies of works placed on the market. This is not a "grey area", it is practice secured by the highest courts.

What you should nevertheless check as a buyer

  • VAT invoice as proof of purchase. Mandatory. Without a PDF invoice showing VAT, there is no business record and no audit proof.
  • The seller is a real, verifiable company. More important than legal buzzwords: Does the provider have a public commercial register entry and a valid VAT ID? You can check this yourself in two minutes. Check the dealers below yourself.
  • A real phone number + reachable support. Anonymous shops with no reachability are the biggest risk signal.
  • Prices within a realistic range. If a Microsoft Office key costs CHF 19, it cannot be sourced from legal EU/CH channels, almost always third-country goods.

Selbst prüfen

Den Händler können Sie selbst prüfen, in zwei Minuten

Wer hinter einem Shop steht, ist öffentlich nachprüfbar: ein seriöser Händler hat eine echte Firma mit Registereintrag und gültiger USt-IdNr., beides einsehbar. Die Herkunft eines einzelnen Keys lässt sich von aussen zwar nicht belegen, wohl aber, ob hinter dem Shop eine fassbare Firma steht. Bei uns geht das sogar live, gleich hier.

Firma
Kewee OÜ
Tallinn, Estland
Registercode
17352418
EU USt-IdNr.
Im estnischen Firmenregister

Häufige Fragen

Is it legal to buy used Microsoft licences in Switzerland?

Yes. Settled at the highest judicial level by the EU Court of Justice ruling C-128/11 (03.07.2012) and governed by analogy for Switzerland under Art. 12 para. 2 of the Swiss Copyright Act (URG).

What if Microsoft audits me?

A proper VAT invoice as proof of purchase suffices in the vast majority of audit procedures. If you need additional licence-acquisition documentation, it is available on request from reputable providers.

Where does the risk lie?

Not in the legality of the previously used licence itself, but in its origin: licences from third countries (leftover Asian Microsoft original licences, etc.) are often technically questionable, activate briefly, and are then deactivated on the server side. Recognisable by bargain-basement prices and the absence of a VAT invoice.
About Keywi24

Keywi24 is a Swiss online shop for verified pre-owned Microsoft and antivirus software licences. The team has in-depth market knowledge from over five years of experience. Our goal is not to become the largest licence shop, but the most trusted.

That’s why we don’t invest in marketing hype, but in 90 days of real technical support after every purchase. Legal basis: CJEU ruling C-128/11 (03.07.2012) and Art. 12 para. 2 URG.

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