| Neil,
Microsoft Licensing is one of the most complicated schemes I know.
Ian is right in that the majority of shelf-bought PC's come with what MS call an OEM licence.
This basically means the licence allows you to use the software (namely Windows operating systems and MS Office products) on the machine on which it is purchased. If the machine dies or is formatted the software goes with it cos under an OEM licence you do not get any disks. Naturally you pay less for an OEM licence compared to buying the software off the shelf (where you get disks/CD's etc as well as the licence hallmark certificate) - When I say you pay less I mean the supplier of the hardware does cos they get the software and install it on the machine for you prior to it being sold to PC Wo**d, etc.
To get disks with your software you have to buy the packaged product and then your licence covers you for installing that software on various machines, unless you're a business customer.
Hope this clears it up for you. | 
Guido
Threaded Mode