Not licensed to install OEM? Read on..

Admiral Huddy · 14 Mar 2008 at 11:13

I have just read an interesting and alarming article in PC Zone this month (April 2008, page 98) re OEM Windows Vista.

According to their investigation, OEM software is only allowed to be sold to individuals that are registered as system builders and are not meant to be sold separate from hardware. Microsoft will only allow activation to people that are licensed to install OEM.

http://oem.microsoft.com/public/seo/licensing.htm

In this particular case, the individual bought a copy of Vista OEM but couldn’t activate it.

I’ve not heard this before and it’s a bit alarming to say the least. I’ve installed OEM copies on various client PCs and not had this crop up.

If this is the case, is it actually worth the retailer selling OEM software in the first place?

Would be interesting to OcUK comments.

gareth170 · 14 Mar 2008 at 11:43

i thought microsoft changed it so you don't have to register..when u build your own system you become a system builder.. that what i thought anyway.

Butters · 14 Mar 2008 at 11:46

Not had any problems here. How could MS even know if you're a 'registered system builder' or not?

Snakedoctor · 14 Mar 2008 at 11:48

Butters said:
Not had any problems here. How could MS even know if you're a 'registered system builder' or not?

Implants

platinum87 · 14 Mar 2008 at 12:06

i wouldnt worry about microsoft

Admiral Huddy · 14 Mar 2008 at 12:12

Butters said:
Not had any problems here. How could MS even know if you're a 'registered system builder' or not?

you won't be on their list.. See link in OP.

leezer3 · 14 Mar 2008 at 12:28

Yawn.
All the site in your link offers is a chance for system builders to register for additional resources and bits & bobs. Nothing at all about defining a system builder, which as has been discussed exhaustively is someone who puts together the PC from its components.

More journalistic scaremongering!

-Leezer-

Burnsy2023 · 14 Mar 2008 at 13:04

Admiral Huddy said:
According to their investigation, OEM software is only allowed to be sold to individuals that are registered as system builders and are not meant to be sold separate from hardware. Microsoft will only allow activation to people that are licensed to install OEM.

Well from reading that sentence, PC Zone are wrong and there is absolutely no point to this thread. PC Zone need to do their research properly.

I know for FACT that it doesn't need to accompany hardware and I know for FACT that you don't need to be a registered system builder, just satisfy the System builder licence.

Huddy, if you can, scan and email me a copy of the article and I'll write a snotty email to them complaining about their poor research.

Burnsy

Inferno99 · 14 Mar 2008 at 13:23

Noticed on the OEM System Builder Pack one point of interest:

"Each individual software license inside this package may ONLY be distributed with a fully assembled computer system".

This is Vista Home Premium EN 1PK
PN: 66I-00715

Burnsy2023 · 14 Mar 2008 at 13:25

Inferno99 said:
Noticed on the OEM System Builder Pack one point of interest:

"Each individual software license inside this package may ONLY be distributed with a fully assembled computer system".

This is Vista Home Premium EN 1PK
PN: 66I-00715

Correct, although the definition of 'distributed' is grey.

BUrnsy

zytok · 14 Mar 2008 at 13:34

you willing to put your house on that Burnsy??

I thought the whole point of OEM software WAS that it was only supposed to be sold to and installed by companies like Dell etc, hence the cheaper pricing. If you had a problem with Windows OEM, you were supposed to contact the manufacturer/supplier of the pc for support rather than MS direct (again hence the cheaper pricing).

Copies could be purchased from selected suppliers (such as OcUK) as long as it was purchased with a piece of computer hardware. Think this was supposed to ideally be a motherboard (so that the main core of the pc was tied to the OEM license), but many companies interpreted the rules so they sold it with a keyboard or mouse for example.

The OEM license is supposed to die with the pc it is installed on though exactly what you can and can't upgrade before it's classed as a new pc is open to debate.

I might be wrong with all this but the OEM licensing regulations are surprisingly complex. Did you know you're not allowed to image ie. Ghost, Acronis a pc that has OEM MS Office installed???

Burnsy2023 · 14 Mar 2008 at 13:37

zytok said:
you willing to put your house on that Burnsy??

My house and my career.

Burnsy

nightmare99 · 14 Mar 2008 at 14:17

Noticed on the OEM System Builder Pack one point of interest:

"Each individual software license inside this package may ONLY be distributed with a fully assembled computer system".

Sounds about right, if you are removing the sleeve (remember if you have bought the software on its own you are the system builder) you will be installing it on a computer.

You are not bound by the system builder licence agreement until you break the seal and install it, you may distribute it to other system builders.

The original article sounds like BS,

In this particular case, the individual bought a copy of Vista OEM but couldn’t activate it.

was the system builder licence agreement sleeve still on it, if not somebody may have opened it prior and used the key on other systems?

Burnsy2023 · 14 Mar 2008 at 14:50

Admiral Huddy said:
I’ve not heard this before and it’s a bit alarming to say the least. I’ve installed OEM copies on various client PCs and not had this crop up. .

If they are clients then you should have used the Preinstallation Kit, otherwise you're not satisfying the System Builder Licence.

Burnsy

ShakenNstirred · 14 Mar 2008 at 15:48

no problem here installing vista 64bit OEM on my laptop

gareth170 · 14 Mar 2008 at 15:52

nobody will have problems installing OEM windows, as long as they don't break the license...

this article is crap...

Caged · 15 Mar 2008 at 03:42

To be honest Microsoft should be grateful for every Windows sale they make, as long as it works I couldn't give a toss whether it's legal or not.

.walls · 15 Mar 2008 at 04:01

nightmare99 said:
You are not bound by the system builder licence agreement until you break the seal and install it, you may distribute it to other system builders.

never having done this (don't use windows at home and - if needed - get other people to put the disk in for me at work...) - i have to wonder if the license is inside the seal...

dirtydog · 15 Mar 2008 at 08:08

Admiral Huddy said:
I have just read an interesting and alarming article in PC Zone this month (April 2008, page 98) re OEM Windows Vista.

According to their investigation, OEM software is only allowed to be sold to individuals that are registered as system builders and are not meant to be sold separate from hardware. Microsoft will only allow activation to people that are licensed to install OEM.

http://oem.microsoft.com/public/seo/licensing.htm

In this particular case, the individual bought a copy of Vista OEM but couldn’t activate it.

I’ve not heard this before and it’s a bit alarming to say the least. I’ve installed OEM copies on various client PCs and not had this crop up.

If this is the case, is it actually worth the retailer selling OEM software in the first place?

Would be interesting to OcUK comments.

You need to be registered to view that article.

superplay · 15 Mar 2008 at 09:24

OEM software is for distribution with new systems, there was a loop hole that allowed it to be sold with any piece of hardware.

This loophole has now been closed "This OEM Software may not be delivered unless accompanied by the required hardware under the Builder Licence located at http://microsoft.com/oem/sblicense"

So techically if you manage to get hold of an OEM copy of software without it being pre-installed on that PC then the licence is invalid. However I have use OEM XP and Vista and have no issues activating.