Originally posted by lwflee:
Hmmm - really?
I wouldn't have thought so. AFAIK, there are several series of cd keys: for corporate, windows xp pro, home etc. And if your version of windows is a corporate version, then you can only use corporate cd keys etc.
Not sure though because I only use original software!
Still, I think it is unwise as a matter of principle to post his key online. It is probably making the rounds on Chinese and Russian BBSes now.

I should clarify this issue further.
OEM licenses - there are two types. One is SLP (System Locked Preinstallation), the other one is personal.
OEM SLP licenses are licensed by MS to PC manufacturing companies such as HP, Dell, Acer, IBM, etc. All these license keys are trained to work only on certain hardware. In other words, it's already part of the BIOS and the installation CD. That's the reason why such discs will never work on another machine if you attempt to reformat and reinstall Windows.
The personal OEM licenses are sold to retailers or distributors, which are then bought users themselves. Commonly used by DIY PC users or those branded PC users who don't like recovery CDs due to the junk these PC manufacturers install and a lack of features which only installation CDs could do.
Corporate licenses, or VLK (Volume Licensed Keys) are licensed to huge corporations or educational institutes. For XP, Office 2000, Office XP and Office 2003, you just need to enter this key. There's no need to write down so many keys for the different PCs.
For those who use XP and above... you will notice some database-like files in the system32 folder. These database-like files are actually your hardware details, binded to the MS license key.
This is also one reason why you can't keep upgrading your PC hardware... after it reaches a certain threshold, it will be deemed as a new PC using an already activated license key. You have to call up MS to re-activate your copy of Windows.
For the curious, only OEM licenses have their hardware binded to the licenses, it doesn't affect VLK.
Starting from Vista... VLK will need to be confirmed with the servers at MS. The reason is because VLK has been abused in XP. One key can install lots of legitimate copies of Windows XP.
He can post the key for all he likes, it won't affect anyway... because it can't be activated. MS already closed this loophole. Unless... as I've said, the hardware details matches. But that is no guarantee due to the BIOS. The CDs and OS are very well-trained in this aspect.