Windows Licensing Question

[sappo]

if i were to buy a license, say windowsME oem license along with a Certificate of Authenticity, could i then burn a copy of windowsME onto a cdr, essentially making another WindowsME copy. would i be able to sell the newly burned WindowsME along with the oem license?

or does the oem license just give me the right to install it onto another computer? in which case, would it be illegal to sell the computer with a burned copy of ME.

[MospeadasDark]

Yes, it would be illegal to sell the burnt copy.

Infact, I think it would be illegal to resell your oem WinME.

[DreamingWolf]

It is technically quite illegal to resell your OEM (or any other) WinOS. Go back and actually READ the whole end-user license agreement EULA that you had to agree to in order to install ME.
It says that you don't actually own anything. You have paid for the right to use Microsoft's software. A right that they can revoke at any time for any reason. It's kind of like leasing a car or renting an apartment. You pay for the privilage of using it but you don't actually own anything.
Just about every EULA says that, and it's rarely if ever enforced, but it is there, so reselling is illegal.:cool:

[SpeeDj]

Originally posted by DreamingWolf
It is technically quite illegal to resell your OEM (or any other) WinOS. Go back and actually READ the whole end-user license agreement EULA that you had to agree to in order to install ME.
It says that you don't actually own anything. You have paid for the right to use Microsoft's software. A right that they can revoke at any time for any reason. It's kind of like leasing a car or renting an apartment. You pay for the privilage of using it but you don't actually own anything.
Just about every EULA says that, and it's rarely if ever enforced, but it is there, so reselling is illegal.:cool: And the latest version Microsoft want's to distribute is that you are basically renting/leasing your Operating system and have to pay for continual upgrades and etc... *sigh*

J :cool:

[flounder43]

Actually, reselling software is not illegal. Microsoft, in its EULA specifically allows you to resell it, but only if you first remove it from your system. This would probably not apply to strictly OEM software, I would guess.

It is true that software is generally licensed and not sold, however, this does raise some very interesting legal questions. These issues are quite complicated, and it is unclear to what extent software companies would be allowed to restrict you from selling your software even if they tried.

[DreamingWolf]

Tis true you may resell if you first remove. Sorry I forgot. I wonder if that is part of the concept of activation codes in XP? Could it be (never, never, wink, wink) that whenever we access windows update (the program that sends no personal information to Microsoft [never, never, wink, wink]) our code is being checked just to make sure it's not coming in from several different locations/machines? Kinda makes me wonder:rolleyes:
Still, I'm not yet good enough at programming Linux to abandon the ease, and games let's be honest, that I get in a Win environment.

Simple answers, never. But then life would be boring if there were:cool:

[sappo]

Basically im wondering what rights i have if i buy this (http://www.9software.com/shopexd.asp?id=109). It doenst come with any media, so could i install ME with another disk and sell the computer.

Would it be legal to include a burned CD with that computer since it doesnt come with one of its own?

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know how much companies like dell, compaq, etc give microsoft to include windows on thier puter? I've looked all over without luck.

And the latest version Microsoft want's to distribute is that you are basically renting/leasing your Operating system and have to pay for continual upgrades and etc... *sigh*
I totally here your frustrations SpeedJ. Thats like Toyota ripping out your car engine if you want to sell your car. Whats worse, cars depreciate and eventually cannot run. Intellectual property never depreciates, it merely gets outdated.

[flounder43]

The license can be resold, but I do not think that it would be wise to make a copy of anything. M$ does sell the fulfullment CD's for very cheap with just the software (no license). Also, if you were selling a computer, you could install it, and stick that sticker on the computer, and you would be OK. Copying is probably not a good idea unless it is for your own back-up.

[DreamingWolf]

If you use the reasoning that the burned CD is his backup for the installed OS that he bought the OEM license for, then he should be okay. That way if Microsoft asks why there are two systems using the same serial #, he can show the oem license.

For some reason what I just wrote sounds right, but doesn't feel right in my gut. Know what I mean?:cool:

[sappo]

If you use the reasoning that the burned CD is his backup for the installed OS that he bought the OEM license for, then he should be okay. That way if Microsoft asks why there are two systems using the same serial #, he can show the oem license.

there's actually a way to see what serial you are using after you install the OS? how?

[DreamingWolf]

Whether or not the ME product keys are componant dependant like XP's are, Microsoft has the algorithms that create the product ID number that appears below the name in the 'registration' section of the front page of the system properties window. From that, I would assume that the designers of the system could backtrack what serial number was used to install the OS.

My 'Big Brother' paranoia might just be showing through, but I knew a systems expert who was hired by Microsoft and moved out to Redmond, and he always assured me that Microsoft was VERY diligent in creating ways to defeat piracy of their OS.:cool:

[DreamingWolf]

Found out I'm not paranoid.
http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/basics/activation/windowsxpsp1.asp
Head over to the above website and the related FAQ and it explains in wonderful detail (with examples) of how they can tell from the product ID number on the first page of the system's properties box what serial # was used to install the OS.:cool:

[Jon]

Also, one license is good for only one PC. Only exception is multi-user licenses but those have to be purchased from MS directly.

[Audioaficionado]

Actually I read my EULA on my OEM copy of win95 that came with my computer and it said I could only use it on the system it came on. Now that I have 98se, why would I want to use it? I even use 98se/lite on my 486. I only use the explorer shell components of 95 now with my customized 98lite installs.