Winchester

Diamond Member
Jan 21, 2003
4,965
0
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Is it illegal to sell the OS that came with your computer? I say no, she says yes. For instance, we have site licensing through Microsoft, but if/when I buy a computer from dell or a store, it comes with XP Home or XP Pro etc. I told her that we could sell these to make up for the cost of the computer and then load our site licensing software on them, which is what we do anyway. As soon as I get one I format it and put our software on it so the other software is not being used, it just sits in my filing cabinet taking up space. I know that you have to include hardware with the OEM software.

Can someone please help me find a linky that proves that I am right on this. (preferably from Microsoft or government agency)


<--- hates it when he drops the soap!
 

RU482

Lifer
Apr 9, 2000
12,689
3
81
heres a thought. Do like you've always done, work late one night, grab all the unused OEM licenses, sell the for personal profit!!

But seriously, I would have to agree with your boss. Plus, isn't the license authenticty sticker on the case of the computer??
 

guyver01

Lifer
Sep 25, 2000
22,135
5
61
IIRC, there's wording in the EULA that if you boot the computer with another OS loader, and DO NOT load the originally installed OS, you can return it to microsoft for a refund.. lemme see if i can find the info..


If you do not agree to the terms of this EULA, Manufacturer and Microsoft Licensing, Inc. ("MS") are unwilling to license the SOFTWARE PRODUCT to you. In such event, you may not use or copy the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, and you should promptly contact Manufacturer for instructions on return of the unused product(s) for a refund.

 

bunker

Lifer
Apr 23, 2001
10,572
0
71
Microsoft's volume licensing phone number: 888-352-7140

Give them a call and ask.
 

Ryan

Lifer
Oct 31, 2000
27,519
2
81
Yep - it's illegal unless it's sold with a part from the computer it was sold with.
 

EyeMWing

Banned
Jun 13, 2003
15,670
1
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Call Microsoft - I'm sure they'll give you a refund for every COA sticker and copy of the CD/manual you turn in.
 

guyver01

Lifer
Sep 25, 2000
22,135
5
61
(Taken from the Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional End User License Agreement)

YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS EULA BY INSTALLING, COPYING, OR OTHERWISE USING THE PRODUCT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO NOT INSTALL OR USE THE PRODUCT; YOU MAY RETURN IT TO YOUR PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND.


just say NO to the EULA.

some EULA's may have different wording tho... i just looked thru the XP EULA and couldn't find this wording. MS might have changed the wording after it was exploited. (damn ferengi's)



 

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,233
0
71
After speaking with the person who handles licensing for our university IT dept:

The licensing that our school got ties OEM copies of Windows to the machine. The key that is shipped on one machine can never be used on another, even if the original machine is formated/destroyed.
 

BornStar

Diamond Member
Oct 30, 2001
4,052
1
0
Originally posted by: Winchester
Then how the hell are people selling OEM software on AT and eBay?

You can purchase OEM software from retailers as long as you purchase a piece of hardware with it. However, that license is permanently attached to that piece of hardware. If the people on eBay are selling just the software with no hardware, that's illegal.
 

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
4,233
0
71
Originally posted by: Winchester
Then how the hell are people selling OEM software on AT and eBay?

I've got some speakers for you in my van...
 

BornStar

Diamond Member
Oct 30, 2001
4,052
1
0
Originally posted by: Electric Amish
A lot of the newer Dell stuff will only install on Dell machines. :(

All of the software that came with my 800MHz Dell (purchased about 3.5 years ago) will only install on Dells.

edit: I wasn't happy when I found out I couldn't install my DVD software on my new machine. I moved the DVD-ROM from the old one so it only makes sense that the DVD software would follow that. I hate Dell.
 

yllus

Elite Member & Lifer
Aug 20, 2000
20,577
432
126
I thought that this issue had yet to be decided in court.

On the one hand you have Microsoft's EULA and the agreement with that to not resell their OEM software. On the other, who the hell are they to tell you what to do with a product you purchased legally? Once it's yours, shouldn't you be able to do whatever the hell you want?
 

guyver01

Lifer
Sep 25, 2000
22,135
5
61
Originally posted by: Savij
Originally posted by: Winchester
Then how the hell are people selling OEM software on AT and eBay?

I've got some speakers for you in my van...

BWAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!!

The white van speaker scam.


you know, you can get your money returned within 24hrs, but you have to go to their local warehouse. True story, a friend of mine did just that.