#9 Software's Policies

[Geotpf]

This company sells CDs of various versions of Windows and Office WITHOUT the Certificate of Authenticity (COA) (they also sell them with the COA, for a higher price). They also sell the COA seperately. Now, granted, it is possible to buy licenses that contains just the COA seperately from the media (so if you are a business with 5 computers you buy one CD and four licenses for less money than 5 CDs), but I know of no way to purchase the media without the license. So I have to suspect they are basically selling Windows twice, once for the license, once for the COA. Now, even if they have some source of CDs without the COA, and they aren't splitting them up, buying one of thier "CD Only" versions of Windows doesn't give you the right to actually *USE* it. That is, they are selling a backup copy only-so why pay for what is basically a pirated copy??? They even state this:

http://www.9software.com/faq/showque...q=1&fldAuto=19

(It states "CD Only Products do not include any books or manuals. You receive the CD media only. CD Only Products are good as a backup or if you didn't receive an original CD with your new PC.")

Now, am I correct here? Can somebody convince me otherwise?

[jkrohn]

Check out this thread:

http://www.techimo.com/forum/showthr...ight=9software

Jkrohn

[AuraEdge]

Not sure about this one, but it doesnt say that the "CD only" software does not come with liscence. Under the "CD only" things they sell, they only specify no Manual or COA.

Just a shot in the air here, I really dont know the specifics about software liscences and legalities.

[Beemer]

I bought CD Only when I purchased WinY2K from them. It did come with a Cert.

With Manual, CD, COA, License. Full Version OEM, not upgrade.

Cheers!

[Geotpf]

Originally posted by jkrohn
Check out this thread:

http://www.techimo.com/forum/showthr...ight=9software

Jkrohn

I posted on that thread.

In any case, nothing there answers my question. My question is:If you buy a "CD-Only" copy of Windows, do you have the right to actually use it? I think the answer is "NO". More proof-here is Microsoft's "How to tell" site:

http://www.howtotell.com/ww.asp

Now, basically they say "No COA-it's pirated!". (Go through their quiz.) Are they wrong?

[Beemer]

Oops! I bought from directdeals.com and not #9. Sorry about that. The same description applies though. directdeals.com had WinY2K for a lower price. I almost purchased from #9 is what happened.

Cheers!

[jkrohn]

Now, basically they say "No COA-it's pirated!". (Go through their quiz.) Are they wrong?

Are they wrong or is it propoganda?

I suggest you go back and read richard craniums posts as well as a few others. Especialy the post on selling an OS without the hardware and how it IS legal.

This exact topic is being carried on in that thread.

Jkrohn

[Geotpf]

Originally posted by jkrohn


Are they wrong or is it propoganda?

I suggest you go back and read richard craniums posts as well as a few others. Especialy the post on selling an OS without the hardware and how it IS legal.

This exact topic is being carried on in that thread.

Jkrohn

That's not what I'm asking. I'm not asking whether or not it's legal to sell an OEM package (with CD/manual/COA) seperate from hardware. That was solved in that thread. This time I'm asking if it's legal to sell JUST the CD without the COA.

[AuraEdge]

All it says is

Genuine Windows operating system software comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label. Absence of this COA label is one indicator that you may not have genuine Windows operating system software.

(My emphasis)

It also suggests that ALL OS's after and including Win2k/ME come with a COA, which I also dont know is true with all versions. On my copy of WinXP Pro (I think its OEM), the COA is on the back on the manual, and it states, on the label,

You are required to affix this Certificate of Authenticity label to the exterior of the PC

Then about an inch to the side of it, it says

The PC manufacturer is required to attach the Certificate of Authenticity to the computer system prior to delivery

Now does that mean I need to stick this on the side? I havent stuck this to my case for two reasons - 1) I've been thinking of upgrading to an aluminum case for quite a while now..if I turned around and resold my case with another build, which I would probably do, I would need to transfer my ownership of XP to whoever I sold it to, since the COA, and hence, Product Key and Activation Key, and hardware would all be linked and 2) I don't like sticking things on my case.

I got this thing at a MS Windows XP Roadshow. On the front, it also states "For distribution only with a new PC", which MS didn't, breaking thier own edict. The closest thing to a peice of hardware that I got at that show was an Intel clicky-pen, but thats another can of worms altogether.


I also did buy WinME Upgrade edition OEM (hey, it was on sale!) I dont remember if that came with a COA or not. I have the manual in front of me and there is no COA affixed to it, and I assume there was no COA. However, according to that Howtotell website, it should have come with a COA. It could have come seperate from the manual in WinME though, and maybe I just lost it.

[jkrohn]

So what you are asking is, you bought it as a package deal and now are wondering if it is legal to sell it seperate?

Jkrohn