Legal Transparency
Are Our Licences Legal?
Yes. 100% Original. 100% Legal. 100% Compliant.
At Zoftis, transparency is a core value.
Thanks to multiple landmark rulings by the European Court of Justice and national courts, the resale of used and decommissioned software licences is fully legitimate. This means you can purchase original and legal Microsoft, Autodesk, and Adobe licences — saving significant money in a safe, compliant, and completely legal way.
The Legal Basis: The 2012 European Court of Justice Ruling
The foundation of the secondary software licence market rests on a landmark ruling that changed the industry permanently.
EU Court of Justice — 3 July 2012 — Case C-128/11
With this historic decision, the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that software manufacturers cannot oppose the resale of used copies. The exclusive right to distribute the programme expires with the first sale — known as the exhaustion principle — even if the software was downloaded from the internet rather than distributed on physical media.
In practical terms: the resale of used software licences is perfectly legal, provided that the original purchaser has deactivated and 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 Used Software
The 2012 EU ruling has since been reinforced by multiple national court decisions across Europe, each expanding and clarifying the legal framework for secondary software licence markets.
2013 · Germany
Federal Court of Justice — BGH Case I ZR 129/08
The German Federal Court of Justice confirmed the full legitimacy of trading in used software licences, implementing the EU Court of Justice ruling into German national law. The court established that the resale of previously owned software licences is lawful and enforceable under German law.
2014 · Germany
Federal Court of Justice — BGH Case I ZR 8/13
This ruling extended the principle of legality to volume licences. The court ruled that individual licences belonging to volume licence contracts may be legally resold separately. This makes the purchase of individual licences from volume contracts fully legitimate and secure for buyers.
2016 · Germany
Münster Public Procurement Chamber — Ref. VK 1-2/16
The court ruled that excluding used software from public tenders is contrary to law. The obligation to purchase only new licences violates the principle of neutrality. Used licences are identical to new ones — they do not deviate from the original product and guarantee the same functionality and performance.
2016 · Germany
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 — simplifying the process and confirming the legitimacy of secondary market transactions.
In Simple Terms: Legal, Transparent and Risk-Free
When you buy a software licence from Zoftis, you are choosing a 100% legal and secure solution. Every licence is original, verified, and compliant with the established legal framework — just like a new licence, but at a significantly more affordable price.
Security and Transparency First
At Zoftis, we guarantee a secure, traceable, and completely digital purchasing process. Every licence we sell is sourced through verified channels, delivered instantly by email, and activated on the official manufacturer server — Microsoft, Autodesk, Adobe, Kaspersky, and more.
Our payments are processed securely through Stripe and PayPal with SSL encryption. We never store your payment details. Every order is confirmed, traceable, and backed by our 30-day money back guarantee.
That is why customers across the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia choose Zoftis as their trusted partner for original software at the best price.
How the Secondary Licence Market Works
Understanding exactly how decommissioned licences reach the market helps build confidence in the purchase. The process is straightforward:
Company Retires Software
A business moves to the cloud and no longer needs its existing licences
Licences Decommissioned
Software is uninstalled, licences are formally deactivated and released
Zoftis Acquires & Verifies
We acquire, verify, and authenticate each licence before listing it for sale
You Buy & Activate
You receive the key by email and activate on the official manufacturer server
Frequently Asked Questions
Is buying a decommissioned software licence legal?
Yes. The resale of used software licences is legal under the exhaustion principle established by the EU Court of Justice in Case C-128/11 (2012) and confirmed by multiple subsequent national court rulings. The key activates on the official manufacturer server just like a new licence.
Will the licence activate on the official Microsoft, Autodesk, or Adobe server?
Yes. Every licence key sold by Zoftis activates directly on the official manufacturer server. You download the software from the manufacturer’s website and activate it there. The process is identical to purchasing directly from the manufacturer.
Why is the price so much lower than buying directly from the manufacturer?
The lower price is not a sign of lower quality. It reflects two things: first, we source decommissioned licences from companies that no longer need them and sell them below retail. Second, we operate a fully digital business with no physical overhead, warehouses, or retail costs — every saving goes directly to you.
Does the licence I buy from Zoftis work in the USA, UK, Canada and Australia?
Yes. Software licences for Microsoft, Autodesk, Adobe, and other major brands are globally valid. The key you receive will activate wherever you are located. Our customers span USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and over 50 other countries worldwide.
What happens if my key does not work?
Contact our support team immediately at support@zoftis.com. We will resolve the issue as quickly as possible. If we are unable to provide a working key, we will issue a full refund within 24 hours under our 30-day money back guarantee.
Buy Legally, Securely and Conveniently
Take advantage of the opportunity to purchase original, guaranteed and fully legal software licences at the best price. Verified sources. Instant digital delivery. Free support. 30-day money back guarantee.
