I own a business where I go around fixing people's computers and such, taking odd jobs here and there, and I have started a practice in which I think is a gray area, and since I am so small, why would Microsoft even care anyway that I am doing this? I am sure I am not the only person in the world doing this, so why should Microsoft care, right?
Well, I have customers that need operating systems on their machines, or upgrades from XP or whatever, so I have found that I can get Microsft Windows 7 Professional upgrade for Families for $129 from Amazon (it has gone up here lately though). Anyway, it comes with 3 licenses for 3 computers, and I use these licenses on my customers computers, so they don't have to pay me as much as they do the other guys that I compete against. I figure since it says 3 computers, I can put it on any 3 computers I want, but my stupid brother keeps telling me it's wrong and that I shouldn't do it and I am "Risking my business" (ha ha, yeah, right), and I tell him that there is nothing wrong with it, I am only putting it on 3 computers like it says, and I keep the disks for myself. I tell my customers that if they need any support, just to call me and I will take care of them. I mean, what if my family includes my aunt that lives down the road, and my son who goes to college? They don't have to actually live with me, even though it says that in the Licensing Agreement.
So, I came in here to ask if I am right or wrong in doing this, and even if I am wrong, Microsoft isn't going to come after me, right? I am a small fish, why would they care? I am charging my customers a third of what it costs me, with no markup, so I am not making any money on that, but I do make money on the other stuff, plus I get to underbid other people who follow the rules..but screw them, I need to make a living somehow.
Am I in danger of anything, I mean really, come on.....would they waste their time with me? My business is starting to do real good, and I am happy about that, but my stupid brother keeps warning me every time I tell him about doing it. What do you guys think? Am I a dumb Arse like my brother thinks I am, or am I brilliant as the sun? (Doesn't matter what you say, I am gonna keep doing it because I don't listen to anybody, but go ahead, make your arguement or agree with me so I can show my brother that it's no big deal. So what if the licensing agreement says the 3 machines have to be in my household.....Potato Potato....big deal.).
Tell me what you guys think....
Well, I have customers that need operating systems on their machines, or upgrades from XP or whatever, so I have found that I can get Microsft Windows 7 Professional upgrade for Families for $129 from Amazon (it has gone up here lately though). Anyway, it comes with 3 licenses for 3 computers, and I use these licenses on my customers computers, so they don't have to pay me as much as they do the other guys that I compete against. I figure since it says 3 computers, I can put it on any 3 computers I want, but my stupid brother keeps telling me it's wrong and that I shouldn't do it and I am "Risking my business" (ha ha, yeah, right), and I tell him that there is nothing wrong with it, I am only putting it on 3 computers like it says, and I keep the disks for myself. I tell my customers that if they need any support, just to call me and I will take care of them. I mean, what if my family includes my aunt that lives down the road, and my son who goes to college? They don't have to actually live with me, even though it says that in the Licensing Agreement.
So, I came in here to ask if I am right or wrong in doing this, and even if I am wrong, Microsoft isn't going to come after me, right? I am a small fish, why would they care? I am charging my customers a third of what it costs me, with no markup, so I am not making any money on that, but I do make money on the other stuff, plus I get to underbid other people who follow the rules..but screw them, I need to make a living somehow.
Am I in danger of anything, I mean really, come on.....would they waste their time with me? My business is starting to do real good, and I am happy about that, but my stupid brother keeps warning me every time I tell him about doing it. What do you guys think? Am I a dumb Arse like my brother thinks I am, or am I brilliant as the sun? (Doesn't matter what you say, I am gonna keep doing it because I don't listen to anybody, but go ahead, make your arguement or agree with me so I can show my brother that it's no big deal. So what if the licensing agreement says the 3 machines have to be in my household.....Potato Potato....big deal.).
Tell me what you guys think....
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