Counterfeit Leopard?

The disc should look like the enlarged image at Mac OS X v10.5.6 Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.) but have a version number & part number printed under the "Mac OS X Leopard" text on the left & a copyright notice across from it on the right. The label should be printed onto the disc (not paper) & the Apple logo at the top should be reflective.

However, if the disc has been used to install & keep OS X on some other Mac, or it doesn't come with the printed license agreement, even if it is a genuine Apple disc, it was sold in violation of the licensing terms.

The fake Apple software installers I have heard about have all been downloads from file sharing sites and many have been modified to install malware such as the DNSChanger trojan. That does not mean there aren't non-authentic discs out there from oriental software pirates. I have no idea how you would go about determining the authenticity of the disc but If I were in your shoes, I would contact Apple for their advice and authentication. Until I had the authenticity question resolved, I would not use the disc in question just in case it came with pre-installed malware.

Insert the DVD, then select the Optical drive in the "Disc Burning" section of System Profiler (Utilities folder). The Media Type should be "DVD-ROM". A copied DVD would be "DVD+R DL" or "DVD-R DL". Some printers can print a good copy of the Apple label onto a DVD, but it is unlikely that somebody would go to the expense of having copies pressed at a DVD factory on DVD-ROMs.

Some printers can print a good copy of the Apple label onto a DVD ...

Good, but probably not good enough to duplicate the reflective look of the Apple logo at the top: the effect is actually achieved by not printing anything onto the disc in the shape of the logo, which lets the shiny surface of the disc show through. Printable DVD-R's usually have a slightly dulled. paper-like finish to retain the printer ink, which would be a giveaway. Also, you can see the logo shine through dimly if you look at the back of the disc & hold it up in front of a bright light. You can also feel the ridge around the edge of the logo where the paint stops.

The System Profiler trick is more definitive, but the logo trick can be handy if say, you see a disc for sale at a flea market or swap meet when no computer is available.

I would follow the advice given here. But I think you need to contact eBay as well. The eBayer that emailed you is in violation of eBay regulations. If he is so sure the disk is not authentic Apple he should advise eBay not you. Check your seller's feedback from that eBayer and see what he wrote about the purchase he made. I would also contact the seller and have him stipulate that the disk is authentic.

sig wrote:
I would also contact the seller and have him stipulate that the disk is authentic.

He should stipulate not just that the disc is authentic but also that it was sold in accordance with the licensing terms. He should also send you a printed copy of the licensing terms. (This is required by the license itself.)

Otherwise, you have just bought a disc but not the licensing rights to use it.