[galadriel]

Just guessing without the details of the case, Comet most likely had a license to sell Windows pre-installed on their computer, but not for supplying a recovery disc. Microsoft is well within its right to sell Windows which ever way they like, as long as they don't abuse their monopoly.

If Comet felt that their customer were not getting a good deal and that Microsoft was monopolistic, there are other recourse in law, which do not involve violating copyrights.