Office Licensing

Jimathy · 11 Jan 2007 at 17:00

Has anyone any good links to the different types of Microsoft Office Licensing?

I'm after a comparison of the different terms for each license type ie, OEM, Retail, Open and Subscription.

Got a client who seems to think its ok for him to transfer his OEM license of XP Pro between computers, and of course it's me he seems to want to shoot when I tell him he can't legally do that.

Much appreciated.

oddjob62 · 11 Jan 2007 at 17:26

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/howtotell/ww/xpsp2/default.mspx

If this older product key came with the purchase of the old computer, then you may not use it on any other computer. A Microsoft Windows OEM license is valid only on the machine it is sold with. You may not use this product key to install Windows on another machine, even if you are no longer using the original machine.

Mr.Clark · 11 Jan 2007 at 17:30

Correct. The Windows OEM license is specific to the computer. If he wants a new one, he'll need a new copy.

I'm not sure about Office, but I'd imagine that it would be very similar. OEMs live and die with the PC.

Burnsy2023 · 11 Jan 2007 at 18:43

Jimathy said:
I'm after a comparison of the different terms for each license type ie, OEM, Retail, Open and Subscription.

The other people on here are right, OEM licences cannot be transferred, this is a fundamental clause that defines an OEM licence.

To answer the question you quoted I'll answer a more specific question; it'll take me an eternity to write a post that fully answers that!

BUrnsy

Jimathy · 11 Jan 2007 at 19:44

Mr.Clark said:
Correct. The Windows OEM license is specific to the computer. If he wants a new one, he'll need a new copy.

I'm not sure about Office, but I'd imagine that it would be very similar. OEMs live and die with the PC.

Yeah Office (XP Professional in this case) is the same, I've been searching high and low for a copy of the Office XP Professional (OEM) license agreement, to use as a wet kipper to slap him around the face with before I tell him he's on his own on this one, but can't for the life of me find it.

I don't have that version installed so can't check it on my own machine.

Baz · 11 Jan 2007 at 20:12

Jimathy said:
Has anyone any good links to the different types of Microsoft Office Licensing?

I'm after a comparison of the different terms for each license type ie, OEM, Retail, Open and Subscription.

Right, I'll try to explain...

OEM as people have said, is tied to a particular machine made by a manufacturer, you cannot legally transfer it to another PC. They are usually cheaper to buy, but as I have found out, you have to buy a new license when you change the PC....

Retail copies are boxed copies you buy in a shop, like the student versions, usually bought by small companies and Joe Public. These can be transferred to a different PC at a later date

Open License agreements are an electronic license, for companies up to ~250 users. You buy the Unlicensed media, and then purchase licenses when we need them. Good thing at the moment is, i have legally been able to use Office 2007 since middle of December.

Subscription (Enterprise Agreement) is more for Large organisations who want to standardise everything, but is more complex. You don't buy the licenses, but subscribe to them and you tend to spread the cost over a few years for the server software, CAL's and office equipment, and you buy so the licenses you need, but you can install more than you have bought, and it is then reviewed the next time you renew the contract.

There are a few flavours in between, the Microsoft License Site is a bit confusing, best speak to a Microsoft Reseller about it.