Serious question.?

Yes, report him to Craigslist. I'd also go farther and report him to Microsoft, but I have a glitch in my sense of ethics when it comes to pirating software. I have been known to use someone else's product key when I have a simple project to run, but they did not do this for a profit. I delete the program after using it. I know this is wrong but no one is profiting from it. Of course, neither are the software developers, so it is wrong. Really wrong. I can sleep at night about that, though.

Profiting off of the theft of a product, however, goes against my leaky sense of ethics.

If you need the software for your job, then your employer should have bought a multi-licensed copy that will allow you to copy it to your computer.

You can get into HUGE trouble for using pirated software. Also it could have a virus, keylogger etc in it and damage your computer. I would not take the chance if I were you. What type of software is it? I would like to suggest something. Adobe Web Suite Premium is close to $2,000. I got it for $260.00 because I signed up for a single community college course online.

Another idea is go to the website for that software. You may be able to get a trial version. You could also talk to one of their support people, tell them what happened and see if they have any suggestions- they may be able to help in a way you don't even know about.

Maybe i need to take a look at my ethics but aside form worrying about something being wrong w/ the software (which is likely) I'd download it then turn them in...you didn't know it was pirated when u ordered it.

Microsoft will not stop you from using this item but if it is a false product key number it will not allow you to validate the system; indeed you may not be able to get it on to your PC but there is no reason why you should not try. You did purchase the item with good intent presumably hoping that it was genuine and Microsoft appears to be aware of such purchases.

I purchased a legal XP OS from outside of my region which was subsequently validated but sometime later Microsoft altered its approach and declined to validate it so they are not so clever. I probably could have taken issue with the company but like yourself I purchased another from a shady character and it was accepted and has been validated and I am currently using it.

You could try downloading Windows 7 beta meantime which is free for about the next 6 months or so.

I had not heard of Craigslist previously. I take it that you are refering to www.craigslist.com? Looked up site and first impression it seems appalling but maybe I have got it wrong. Any comment on this point?