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OEM software

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shawn...@hotmail.com

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Mar 25, 2005, 9:03:12 PM3/25/05
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I am wondering about OEM software sold on the internet at 1/10th the
price. I understand that OEM software doesn't usually come with any
support or end user documentation. But, does this software come with a
license. Can the software be used to run a small business? Can the
software be used for personal use? Basically, what is the CATCH?


Any information would be appreciated?


Shawn

Kathy Morgan

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Mar 26, 2005, 9:24:07 PM3/26/05
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<shawn...@hotmail.com> wrote:

> I am wondering about OEM software sold on the internet at 1/10th the
> price. I understand that OEM software doesn't usually come with any
> support or end user documentation. But, does this software come with a
> license. Can the software be used to run a small business? Can the
> software be used for personal use? Basically, what is the CATCH?

As I understand it, OEM software normally is only sold legally if it is
included in the purchase of appropriate new hardware. If you're getting
the software without buying a new computer (or a major hardware upgrade
for an old computer), then I suspect the software is essentially the
same as pirated. I'd love to be proven wrong, but I think the catch is
that it's not licensed.

--
Kathy - help for new users at <http://www.aptalaska.net/~kmorgan/>
Good Net Keeping Seal of Approval at <http://www.gnksa.org/>
OE-quotefix can fix OE:
<http://home.in.tum.de/~jain/software/oe-quotefix/>

Baxter Tocher

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Sep 20, 2005, 5:34:27 PM9/20/05
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Kathy Morgan wrote:

>>I am wondering about OEM software sold on the internet at 1/10th the
>>price. I understand that OEM software doesn't usually come with any
>>support or end user documentation. But, does this software come with a
>>license. Can the software be used to run a small business? Can the

In my experience (with a Microsoft product, at least) it does come with
a license.

> As I understand it, OEM software normally is only sold legally if it is
> included in the purchase of appropriate new hardware. If you're getting

That's correct.

> the software without buying a new computer (or a major hardware upgrade
> for an old computer), then I suspect the software is essentially the
> same as pirated. I'd love to be proven wrong, but I think the catch is
> that it's not licensed.

Nope, I can assure you if it's an official OEM product, it's *not* pirated.

--
Baxter

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