Sale of Used OS Copies Concerns

[vesther]

Referer URL for this Thread:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/howtotell/

I was going to sell my used copy of Windows 98 Second Edition (since I don't need it anymore) to someone, but I refused to do so because there are a lot of copyright considerations that a seller has to undergo. First of all, whenever you sell a piece of software to someone, you agree to also surrender all "resurrective copies" to the buyer as well. I should point out that because of this, before I even ship it out to the buyer, I have to make sure that I give the BUYER ALL Backup Copies as per the EULA, which will delay the buyer's receipt of the software.

Based on your experience, does anyone feel any fears of having to sell software to someone else? Is there any paperwork that you have to give out to the buyer so that you certify to the buyer that you have taken the necessary measures to destroy any "leftovers" you might have in your possesion and to surrender all the backup copies to the buyer? I'm getting worried because knowing that software has to be used legally, I feel really uncomfortable trading/selling software due to EULA Concerns.

Please share with me your experience about this concern and/or address any concerns you might have arising from this concern.

[Ruler2112]

You read the EULA???

Whenever I sell software, I destroy any backups I have around. If I'm selling it to somebody where I have to send it to them, I keep one backup copy until they receive it and verify that the post office didn't destroy it somehow, then toss the backup. This probably isn't entirely legal, but after I got the first package of CDs arrive where it looked like a fork lift fell on them in transit, I decided to become careful.

[rockpile]

well what do you expect from microsoft?

[jmebonner]

Originally posted by vesther

Based on your experience, does anyone feel any fears of having to sell software to someone else?

Aint scared.. I personally know about 10 people using backup software they don't, or never did own. This is even possibly w/ XP by changing your serial #. A couple of them even told me they get updates! I, personally own a perfectly legal copy of XP pro that I use, but I probably have a backup or two laying around in a drawer. I think the focus on piracy is more toward computer builders who put a pirated version on a computer they're selling. If ebay lets you sell it and Bill Gates hasn't had a problem w/ that, then I'd say you're okay. (Ebay makes you sell a piece of hardware too, I usually throw an old modem or sound card in with it)

[fosin]

Also, if you sell a used retail version they want you to have the box and ALL documents that came with it. Auction sites inforce this. Elsewhere, As long as you're an individual selling it, I wouldn't worry about it either.

[PyroSama]

Shouldnt be a problem I doubt M$ would care if you compleatly quit using it when you sold it.



PyroSama

[Richard Cranium]

Legality of selling used software on Ebay

[vesther]

I should point out that I no longer have either Windows 98 or Windows ME installed on my computer--I have BOTH Windows 2000 and Windows XP, but I have to keep Windows 2000 because the XP is actually an upgrade. And if I sell the Windows 98 SE Copy, then I also will have to surrender the ME Upgrade as well since the ME requires proof of ownership of Windows 98 or 98SE as well. The only reason why I'm keeping Windows 2000 is because my XP Pro requires ownership proof of Windows 2000.

[Richard Cranium]

if I sell the Windows 98 SE Copy, then I also will have to surrender the ME Upgrade as well since the ME requires proof of ownership of Windows 98 or 98SE as well.

Incorrect.
You can buy ME upgrade discs without having 98 first.

[elroy]

Ebay has gone crazy with closing auctions. They recently closed one of mine for selling Nero 5.5.82. They said it allowed the duplication of copy protected DVD's. I wrote them twice to try and get the auction re-opened, never even got a response. F Ebay!