Software Companies and Lost Serial Numbers?

Frustrated by "Customer Support" asks: "My company purchased a retail boxed piece of software from a small company about 8 months ago, before I worked here. My predecessor was not organized at all, and he misplaced the serial numbers. Now it's time for that software to get reinstalled, but we're unable to due to the missing numbers. I contacted support for the company, and they indicated that they were unable to provide replacement keys, even after I faxed them my proof of purchase. The company claims it's the customer's responsibility to keep track of the keys, and that they're unable to supply replacements as the key could still be used to run there software. I find this totally ludicrous, as we've paid for a license to use the software. So Slashdot, does a missing serial number or software key invalidate your license to a piece of software that you purchased? Does one have any recourse to get a replacement serial from a company that won't supply them? Does one purchase software or do you purchase serial numbers?"

Comments

Re:Serial Numbers

[thejaded1]

Further, is it actually illegal to grab some keys off the net for products you have purchased? They say they can't replace them. In the event of them coming down on you, how would they verify that you had "illegitimate" keys?

Re:I had this problem

[Detritus]

Truth is stranger than fiction. The Treasury Department will replace damaged or destroyed currency if you can supply satisfactory proof to them.