Microsoft has faced this issue with Windows licensing. I would say that it was noticeable with Windows XP.
If Windows was licensed to a particular hardware computer, how would you define that computer? Being a common practice to upgrade RAM, disks, PCI cards, and even CPUs, and Windows could enumerate every component on each boot, how much different would a computer need to be, before the Windows license is invalid?
And people were tripped up by this, after replacing their motherboard. Windows had a threshold of changes where it would balk and demand reactivation.
Odds are the CSR's KPIs are Average Call Time and Resolution on First Contact, so as long as you give them plausible deniabilty by claiming motherboard change, it allows them to quickly resolve and close the call vs forcing you to have to call back with documentation. Besides forcing you to buy a retail license likely didn't add a nickel to their paycheck, so why start a fight with the customer that will only make the call longer and possibly require escalation.
If Windows was licensed to a particular hardware computer, how would you define that computer? Being a common practice to upgrade RAM, disks, PCI cards, and even CPUs, and Windows could enumerate every component on each boot, how much different would a computer need to be, before the Windows license is invalid?
And people were tripped up by this, after replacing their motherboard. Windows had a threshold of changes where it would balk and demand reactivation.