Sections

General Programme Information
Eligible Recipients
Operating System Software and Licence Materials
Application Software
International Information
Operational Information
Contact Information

What service does the Community Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher (Community MAR) programme provide?
What does a Community MAR do?
Why is a programme required? Why can't the original owner transfer the licence?
Do Community MARs refurbish only those computers covered by this programme?
Who is eligible to become a Community MAR?
Is there a charge to become a Community MAR?
Are there any other charges to participate in the Community MAR programme?
How much will a computer refurbished through this programme cost eligible recipients?
What steps are taken to help ensure the quality of the refurbishers that participate in this programme?
Is there a limit to the number of computers that an organisation can supply, that a Community MAR can refurbish, or that an eligible recipient can receive?
Is there a limit to the type of computers included in the Community MAR programme?
Refurbishers sometimes purchase used equipment for refurbishment because there is not always an adequate supply of donated equipment. Can this equipment be included in the programme?
How does a refurbisher become a Community MAR?
How does the Community MAR programme compare to the Fresh Start for Donated Computers programme?

Q. What service does the Community Microsoft Authorised Refurbisher (Community MAR) programme provide?
A. The Community MAR programme authorises eligible refurbishers to install licenced copies of Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional and Microsoft Office 2003 Standard on eligible refurbished computers. Community MARs work with both original owners and eligible recipients:

Original owners are organisations looking for responsible ways to dispose of hardware.
Eligible recipients are eligible charities, eligible academic users, and other Microsoft specially-approved recipients wanting to obtain refurbished computers with legally-installed software licence.
The exact legal definition of an eligible recipient can be found in the Community MAR Licence Agreement. View the Community MAR Licence Agreement
If you have a question about whether a specific organisation qualifies after reading the definition of eligible recipients, please contact the customer service centre for that region. See the "Contact Information " section for details about finding a Regional Customer Service Centre.

Q. What does a Community MAR do?
A. Community MARs are authorised by Microsoft to install Windows 2000, Windows XP operating systems software and Microsoft Office 2003 Standard on eligible refurbished computers, provided these computers are supplied to eligible recipients.

Q. Why is a programme required? Why can't the original owner transfer the licence?
A. Often, the original owner of a computer no longer has the computer's original media and documentation. In accordance with Microsoft licensing rules with these operating systems, the original media and documentation are required for the licence to be transferred.

For more information about when a new licence is required and when a new licence is not required, please see the Licencing Guide for Refurbished PCs.

Q. Do Community MARs refurbish only those computers covered by this programme?
A. No. Refurbishers often refurbish computers for a number of uses and this will continue. Examples of refurbishment that fall outside of the scope of this programme include the following:

Computers with the original operating system media and documentation.
Refurbished computers that are sold to customers who are not eligible to receive software licences through this programme.

Computers that are found to be unsafe or beyond repair do not qualify for the programme either. Community MARs will dispose of these computers.

Q. Who is eligible to become a Community MAR?
A. Public or private and commercial or non-commercial organisations are eligible to apply for the Community MAR programme. Organisations can either be carrying out computer refurbishment already, or have plans for computer refurbishment that will start within three months of applying to the programme. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are not eligible to participate.

Q. Is there a charge to become a Community MAR?
A. There is no charge to join the Community MAR programme. However, the programme does charge a fee of US $5.00 for each Community MAR Certificate of Authenticity (COA) supplied through the programme.

Q. Are there any other charges to participate in the Community MAR programme?
A. No. The only charge is the fee of US $5.00 per Community MAR Certificate of Authenticity (COA). However, if additional copies of media are requested to scale the refurbisher's installation operations, additional fees may apply.

Q. How much will a computer refurbished through this programme cost eligible recipients?
A. Individual refurbishers set their own pricing, so the prices for a refurbished computer vary.

Q. What steps are taken to help ensure the quality of the refurbishers that participate in this programme?
A. Microsoft works to confirm the validity of applications before granting a refurbisher the status of Community MAR. All Community MARs must submit monthly reports to Microsoft about the computers they supply through the programme, and all Community MARs are subject to audit. In addition, Microsoft will investigate any complaint received about a Community MAR. Microsoft has the option to withdraw a Community MAR's status at any time.

Q. Is there a limit to the number of computers that an organisation can supply, that a Community MAR can refurbish, or that an eligible recipient can receive?
A. No. There is no limit to the number of computers that can be supplied, refurbished, or received. Microsoft recognises the value of allowing eligible recipients to gain access to our technology. We want to see as many computers as possible go through the Community MAR programme.

Q. Is there a limit to the type of computers included in the Community MAR programme?
A. To qualify for the programme a computer must be a previously used personal computer. This means a computer must meet all of the following criteria:

The computer must have been in distribution, or used by an end user, for at least six months.
The computer must contain the original motherboard.

Q. Refurbishers sometimes purchase used equipment for refurbishment because there is not always an adequate supply of donated equipment. Can this equipment be included in the programme?
A. Yes. Microsoft recognises that used computers are not always donated for refurbishment and therefore allows equipment that has been purchased to be included in the programme.

Q. How does a refurbisher become a Community MAR?
A. The application process to become a member of the Community MAR programme is found on the Community MAR programme Web site at www.microsoft.com/mar. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are not eligible to participate in the programme.

Q. How does the Community MAR programme compare to the Fresh Start for Donated Computers programme?
A. The Fresh Start for Donated Computers programme is part of the Microsoft Partners in Learning initiative. The Fresh Start for Donated Computers programme is designed to remove the licensing barriers that prevent primary and secondary schools from using donated computers. The programme covers Pentium III (or equivalent) and older computers.

Primary and secondary schools have a choice about how they ensure donated computers are legally licenced. If they wish to obtain media and carry out their own installation of Windows, they can use the Fresh Start for Donated Computers programme at no cost. If they want to work with someone who can help with the installation and testing of software for the donated computers, they can work with the Community MAR programme. A Community MAR will refurbish computers and install either Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating systems software.

Unlike the Fresh Start for Donated Computers programme, members of the Community MAR programme pay a per-COA administrative fee. However, the Community MAR programme is still an extremely cost-effective way to obtain software licences for refurbished computers.

Details of the Fresh Start for Donated Computers programme can be found at: www.microsoft.com/freshstart

Eligible Recipients

What is an eligible recipient?
Where is the list of organisations that qualify as eligible recipients?
Are individuals eligible to receive MAR licenses?
What exactly is a Technology Access Programme (TAP)?
What type of individuals are considered Qualified Individuals for TAPs?
Can other individuals that are not part of a TAP use Community MAR programme computers at home?

Q. What is an eligible recipient?
A. Eligible recipient is the term used to describe an organisation that qualifies to receive refurbished computers through the Community MAR programme. Eligible recipients include eligible charities, eligible academic users, and other Microsoft specially-approved recipients.

Q. Where is the list of organisations that qualify as eligible recipients?
A. The exact legal definition of an eligible recipient can be found in the Community MAR Licence Agreement. View the Community MAR Licence Agreement

If you have a question about whether a specific organisation qualifies after reading the definition of eligible recipients, please contact the customer service centre for that region.
See the "Contact Information " section for details about finding a Regional Customer Service Centre.

Q. Are individuals eligible to receive MAR licenses?
A. Yes, provided they are Qualified Individuals participating in a Technology Access Programme (TAP)

Q. What exactly is a Technology Access Programme (TAP)?
A. A TAP is a documented programme run by one of the following:

A charitable organization that would be considered an Eligible Charitable Organisation for the purposes of the Community MAR Agreement
An academic organization that would be considered an Eligible Academic User for the purposes of the Community MAR Agreement
A national, state/provincial or local government agency that distributes refurbished computers. TAPs must provide at least a basic level of computers skills training. This training may, for example, include starting up the computer and shutting it down, saving and retrieving documents, using email and the Internet and basic word processing.

Q. What type of individuals are considered Qualified Individuals for TAPs?
A. Qualified Individuals are individuals that meet one or more of the following criteria:

in a community with limited access to technology
registered as disabled
a member of a low income family (for example, in receipt of government benefits)

Q. Can other individuals that are not part of a TAP use Community MAR programme computers at home?
A. Yes. A Community MAR programme computer can be used in any location (subject to applicable laws, such as those regarding exports-imports). However, if it is to be used by an individual that is not part of a TAP, ownership of the Community MAR programme computer and the licence received through the Community MAR programme must remain with the organisation that qualifies as an eligible recipient, and the computer and the software provided through the Community MAR programme must be used in accordance with the Eligible Recipient Agreement. A charity, for example, can receive Community MAR programme computers and then loan them to their clients for use at home provided the charity obtains from the client a written agreement that the client will comply with the terms of the Eligible Recipient Agreement.

The Community MAR programme does not allow eligible recipients to transfer ownership of the software licences provided under the Community MAR programme by donating or selling their Community MAR programme computers.

Operating System Software and Licence Materials

Which operating systems are included in the Community MAR programme?
How much does the refurbisher pay for a licence for the operating system?
Are special Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) used for the Community MAR programme?
What happens if the new owner (the eligible recipient) needs to reload the operating system?
Are eligible recipients who receive refurbished computers entitled to any free support from Microsoft?

Q. Which operating systems are included in the Community MAR programme?
A. The Community MAR programme currently includes the following operating systems:

Windows 2000 Professional for all Community MAR computers supplied to eligible recipients.
Windows XP Professional for computers with a pre-existing Windows COA. The pre-existing COA does not have to be for Windows XP. For example. a computer with a pre-existing Windows 2000 COA would qualify.

Community MARs should consider the specifications of the computer they are refurbishing when selecting whether to install Windows 2000 or Windows XP Professional to ensure the best performance for recipients.

Q. How much does the refurbisher pay for a licence for the operating system?
A. Refurbishers only pay a fee of US $5.00 per Community MAR Certificate of Authenticity (COA).

Q. Are special Certificates of Authenticity (COAs) used for the Community MAR programme?
A. Yes. The COA labels used for the Community MAR programme state that they are only for refurbished computers and only intended for eligible recipients.

Q. What happens if the new owner (the eligible recipient) needs to reload the operating system?
A. Typically, eligible recipients remain in contact with their Community MAR for ongoing support. Eligible recipients can contact their Community MAR if a system failure results in the need for re-installation of the operating system.

Q. Are eligible recipients who receive refurbished computers entitled to any free support from Microsoft?
A. No. Eligible recipients of computers with software installed through the Community MAR programme are not entitled to any free support. Refurbished computers are typically over three years old, which means that the free support provided for the original operating system has expired. Eligible recipients can, however, access Microsoft's free, Web-based support or buy support from Microsoft or another supplier.

Application Software

Are software application products available under this programme?
Why is Microsoft Office 2003 Standard available for eligible charitable organisations and other Microsoft-specially approved recipients, but not for eligible academic recipients?
What are the other ways that academic recipients can find out about cost-effective licenses for Microsoft products?
How should eligible recipients obtain other Microsoft application software products?
How else can eligible recipients acquire Microsoft application products to run on Community MAR programme computers?

Q. Are software application products available under this programme?
A. Yes. Microsoft Office 2003 Standard is available for eligible charitable organisations and other Microsoft-specially approved recipients, but not for eligible academic recipients.

Q. Why is Microsoft Office 2003 Standard available for eligible charitable organisations and other Microsoft-specially approved recipients, but not for eligible academic recipients?
A. The Microsoft Partners In Learning programme is designed to provide a spectrum of education resources to academic recipients and includes special pricing for Microsoft Office XP.

Q. What are the other ways that academic recipients can find out about cost-effective licenses for Microsoft products?
A. The Microsoft Education web site at www.microsoft.com/education explains a wide range of options for academic institutions and the How To Buy area of the site explains a variety of different volume licensing options that start from as few at 5 licenses. There may also be a Microsoft office in your country that has a site with more useful information. If you'd like to find your local Microsoft site then please visit www.microsoft.com/worldwide

Q. How should eligible recipients obtain other Microsoft application software products?
A. Most eligible recipients are entitled to purchase Microsoft products at discounted academic or charity prices. They purchase these products through a Microsoft Authorised Education Reseller or from other authorised resellers.

Q. How else can eligible recipients acquire Microsoft application products to run on Community MAR programme computers?
A. An eligible recipient of a Community MAR computer can acquire Microsoft application software products from many different sources. A recipient may have a Microsoft licence agreement that allows them to install applications they already own. They may also purchase previously-owned application products from a variety of sources. As with any purchase of used software products, it is strongly recommended that purchasers ensure they are buying a legal copy of the product. Information on purchasing legal software products can be found at: www.microsoft.com/howtotell

International Information

Can Community MARs receive computers from a different country or region?
Can refurbishers located in any country or region worldwide apply to the Community MAR programme?
Can Community MAR computers be supplied to a different country or region than the one in which the Community MAR is based?
What languages are available for the products in this programme?

Q. Can Community MARs receive computers from a different country or region?
A. Yes. There are no restrictions on where computers are obtained for refurbishment.

Q. Can refurbishers located in any country or region worldwide apply to the Community MAR programme?
A. The Community MAR programme is available in almost all countries in the world. To be eligible to apply to the Community MAR programme, refurbishers must be located in the following countries/regions in which Microsoft provides fulfilment:

Asia and South Pacific: Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA): The Community MAR programme is available in virtually all countries and regions in EMEA.
Central and South America: The Community MAR Programme is available in virtually all countries in Central and South America
North America: Canada and the United States

Q. Can Community MAR computers be supplied to a different country or region than the one in which the Community MAR is based?
A. Yes. Eligible recipients can be based nearly anywhere in the world, but there are some restrictions. For example, there are certain geographical limitations specified in the eligible recipient list in the Community MAR Licence Agreement. View the Community MAR Licence Agreement

There are also export-import restrictions referred to in the Eligible Recipient Agreement and the Community MAR Licence Agreement. The software in this programme is subject to US export jurisdiction. More information about these restrictions can be found at: microsoft.com/exporting

Q. What languages are available for the products in this programme?
A. Windows 2000 Professional is available in Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, French (Canadian), German, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazilian), Russian, Spanish, Spanish (LATAM), Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Traditional Chinese Hong Kong, and Turkish.

Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 Standard is available in Arabic, Chinese Simplified, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, Traditional Chinese Hong Kong, and Turkish.

Please note : Windows XP in Korean may only be distributed in Korea.

Operational Information

What process is involved for supplying, refurbishing, and receiving a computer under the Community MAR programme?
What happens when a refurbisher applies to become a Community MAR?
When can a refurbisher apply to become a Community MAR?
What must a Community MAR do to maintain an active status?
What does a refurbisher receive when they become a Community MAR?
What materials are needed for the Community MAR programme?
Where does a Community MAR get the materials needed for the programme?
How does a Community MAR order the Community MAR COAs?

Q. What process is involved for supplying, refurbishing, and receiving a computer under the Community MAR programme?
A. People and companies work in different ways, but the following steps describe the typical process:

An organisation contacts the refurbisher to arrange to dispose of some computer equipment.
A Community MAR collects the equipment from the organisation and may provide the organisation with an inventory of the equipment collected.
The Community MAR completes any required refurbishment which is likely to include removal of data, repair of faulty components, and safety testing and installation of new components.
The Community MAR installs products from the program as required. Microsoft supplies each Community MAR with master copies of the software for this purpose.
The Community MAR attaches a special Community MAR COA label to the computer for each license installed. For example, if both Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 Standard are installed, two separate COAs are attached. The Community MAR supplies the refurbished computer to the eligible recipient with an Eligible Recipient Agreement.

As stated before, the refurbisher may also supply outside of the Community MAR programme other applications software and/or support services.

Q. What happens when a refurbisher applies to become a Community MAR?
A. The refurbisher signs the Community MAR Licence Agreement and follows an online application process. Microsoft verifies the validity of all applications then, if the application is successful, grants the refurbisher the status of Community MAR.

Q. When can a refurbisher apply to become a Community MAR?
A. There is no enrolment period. Refurbishers can apply to become a Community MAR anytime during the year.

Q. What must a Community MAR do to maintain an active status?
A. Community MARs must renew their programme membership once a year. The renewal period is from 1 November through 31 December and is completed online. Applicants approved during this time will not be required to renew until the following year. Community MAR applicants approved outside of this period will need to renew at this time. Community MARs must remain in good standing to maintain an active status.

Q. What does a refurbisher receive when they become a Community MAR?
A. Microsoft provides the Community MAR with more information about how the programme works on a day-to-day basis. Also, the Community MAR's information can be added to the online, searchable, Community MAR Directory (adding your information to this Directory is optional).

Upon the Community MAR's first order for Community MAR COAs, Microsoft sends a master media kit that includes Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 Standard in the Community MAR's requested languages. The Community MAR can access an online ordering system where they can obtain the COA labels they need for the computers they supply.

Q. What materials are needed for the Community MAR programme?
A. When a Community MAR refurbishes a Community MAR computer, they install the operating system and, if applicable, the application using the master media supplied with the first order. The Community MAR computer is then given to the eligible recipient with the following documents and materials:

A special, Community MAR Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label for each license, which is attached to the computer.
An Eligible Recipient Agreement which will be included with each computer.

Q. Where does a Community MAR get the materials needed for the programme?
A. Community MAR COA labels may be ordered from the Community MAR programme Web site at: http://www.microsoft.com/communitymar

Eligible Recipient Agreements in PDF format can be downloaded from the Community MAR web site using the access given when Community MAR status is granted. The text of the Eligible Recipient Agreement is also given in the Community MAR Licence Agreement. View the Community MAR Licence Agreement

Q. How does a Community MAR order the Community MAR COAs?
A. An eligible refurbisher that is accepted into the programme is sent instructions for placing orders online.

Contact Information

If your question hasn't been answered by the information in these Frequently Asked Questions, please contact a customer service representative for the Community MAR programme by sending an e-mail to the Regional Service Centre nearest you. Our customer care staff can accept e-mail enquiries in Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French (Canadian and European), German, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Norwegian, Portuguese (European and Brazilian), Spanish (European and Latin American), Swedish and Traditional Chinese.

Find a Regional Service Centre near you.

This Web site is only available in Dutch, English, French, German, Japanese, and Traditional Chinese.

Note: This FAQ is purely informational. The terms of the Community MAR Agreement always apply in the event of conflict.