I stand corected - no one ever 'owns' a MS product that they purchased here in the US. MS 'licenses' the priveledge to use the software that it markets (note: markets - MS is a vendor of computer software and that has no implication of how they came to acquire the priviledge of being in a position to market it). However, MS believes it is well within their endless corporate power to force customers to prove that the customer has obtained the proper licenses to use the products that it markets to them. Personally, I am happy to see MS trying to enforce its marketing license. Can anyone think of a better way to stir the braindead governmental and corporate licensees? The more MS exhibits its power, the more people will think. When people think, they realize that being held hostage by a software marketer is not in their own best interest. -- Jim Always practice safe HEX