Both activities are equally illegal. Another common form of piracy in rhe channel is known as 'hard disk loading' whereby a system builder or reseller illegally preloads software onto a machine prior to sale. There are serious legal and financial consequences to individuals and businesses engaged in software piracy. In Australia, software pirates can face civil and criminal action. In civil matters, individual directors as well as companies may be held responsible.
Legitimate dealers can take steps to protect their businesses from piracy.
An important thing to remember is that if the price sounds too good to be true then it probably is. The second thing is that you should always buy from an authorised distributor. The copyright law works hand in hand with the license agreement that accompanies legal software. Microsoft's goal is to educate the channel about the dangers of hard disk loading and counterfeiting and put hard-core pirates out of business. The aim is to make it easier for honest dealers to operate.