Users who have purchased cheap license keys for Windows 10 on the Internet will receive summons from German authorities.
Microsoft charges 145 euros for the download of Windows 10 Home, for the Pro version even just under 260 euros. However, license keys can also be found online that can be had for a few euros. That called the authorities in Germany to the scene. As Tarnkappe.info reports, some buyers of such license keys have now received summons from the local police station.
“Suspicion of criminal copyright infringement”
The subpoenas are based on suspicion of “frivolous money laundering and criminal copyright infringement”, as stated in a letter that a buyer of such license keys received from the police. Some of the cases are said to be years ago, which indicates that older cases are also being processed.
The prosecutors argue that buyers should have been suspicious of buying cheap license keys. Lawyers oppose that one cannot ask customers to assume a fake offer based on the price alone.
Although those affected do not have to obey the summons, as these are only invitations, as Tarnkappe.info says, the letters should still be taken seriously. In the past, house searches were even reported in similar cases, but many proceedings were also discontinued.
