You have to be a microsoft certified systems OEM to have the right to attach COA stickers, which you have to obtain from them or a licensed distributor, otherwise you are selling illegal versions on, and some poor sucker who runs a business using them might get caught out, it happens all the time. This is a very simple procedure and any valid OEM can apply for it.
Its not a legal license, a COA is not a software license, thats why its called a COA.
i just feel bad for people like tritium who get told they can buy a legit copy, fork out $50-80 for a worthless sticker from people who haven't checked out the facts.
As for the cut, i doubt any of that money is going to MS
Heres the text from MS's AntiPiracy information
"Please note: This COA label is NOT a software license. If you are offered this COA label as a "sticker license" beware—it is not legal. These labels are not sold separately. You and your business could be at risk if you rely on one of these labels as your "license". Legal PC manufacturers must adhere COA labels to a PC's chassis."
if you think it makes you legal buying a COA like this, save your money, print out a photoshopped COA and stick it in your PC, it'll have the same validity.
Gimli,
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/howtotell/how/coa.asp
using * around words is a common practice for adding emphasis to a word, same as adding bold tags, just a lot easier.