OEM software, illegal to put it on a computer

Micnic123 · 09-24-2002, 12:19 AM

Hi,

I work for a small pc repair shop & sometimes ppl want XP on there computers. Is it legal for me to load a OEM copy on a customers machine. & can you sell OEM software by itself to the public as if it were the RETAIL version? Can my boss get screwed for this type of stuff?

Thanx

Agent_Embryo · 09-24-2002, 12:23 AM

You can not sell OEM software on its own. That is illegal. OEM Software may only be sold with a new computer AFAIK. And yes, your boss can get in trouble and then in turn you could get in trouble.

lost-and-found · 09-24-2002, 12:30 AM

basically PC shops usually only sell the OEM when you buy a mobo, ram, and a hard disk at the same time, that (according to the UELA) is a working computer, and that's the only requirement for sale of OEM software, if you are already a licensed distributor.

09-24-2002, 12:34 AM

In Australia, most retailers will sell OEM software with ANY of the following components: mobo, CPU, hard drive. You don't have to buy all of them; just one of them will suffice. Not sure how this fits with M$ EULA, but nearly all retailers do it here, so it can't be too bad.
Maybe check with your local M$ agent to get it crystal clear? Anonymously, of course!

Cheers
Mick

edit: CPU, not RAM

Ya put me off, lost!

LinuxNewbie · 09-24-2002, 01:19 AM

lol that is brutal, it's just a gigantic conspiracy isn't it.

i buy OEM stuff from my local puter store all the time

CERuppel · 09-24-2002, 02:22 AM

OEM software and OEM operating system (I think) are handled differnet by the EULA.

Not to clear on this as I have only run into OEM OS, not dealt in OEM software.

And hardware, but not programs...

09-24-2002, 06:54 AM

Here's a UK link which sheds some light on M$'s stance: http://www.softsource.co.uk/who.htm

Presumably other software manufacturers may have other EULA's.

Cheers
Mick

e980238 · 09-24-2002, 07:08 AM

Ive seen venders selling OEM copies of windows at the local computer shows here. That doesnt mean that its legal though

LinuxNewbie · 09-24-2002, 08:23 AM

i bought OEM Windows XP Home without buying a new computer and i have it installed on 2 different computers

did you know that it actually DOES register you? both computer DO WORK, it's crazy lol. the only problem is that they can't connect to each other so my little home FTP thing is sorta screwed

Jeordiewhite · 09-24-2002, 12:01 PM

I have seen a store that will sell it with any hardware, This is a local store all over utah that will sell it with anything they sell: http://www.ebccomputers.com/1-pr.htm