Windows Licensing for Hobbyists

Burnsy2023 · 29 Jan 2009 at 11:04

Strife212 said:
Please tell me if you phone MS and they give you an activation key how they can tell that you are not licenced? Genuine question, don't understand why that part got the of all things.

*Broken Record time*
Activation is a method to prevent unlicensed users from using illegitimate software, not to prove adherence to the licence agreement.

A subtle but important difference.

Burnsy2023 · 29 Jan 2009 at 11:05

Strife212 said:
US case I know but theres been few cases in the UK.

You'll have to better then that. UK or at least EU ruling please with source.

Burnsy2023 · 29 Jan 2009 at 11:23

Meeko said:
Surely you could just build the PC, install the OEM software and then sell the system to someone in the same household for 1p. That way your meeting MS's requirements for OEM licencing?

EDIT : Haven't read the entire thread so this has probably been covered already!

It has, the first post states it must be an 'unrelated' third party

Burnsy2023 · 29 Jan 2009 at 14:00

Bubo said:
Needless to say I am completely befuddled by all this licence talk. I have an OEM copy of Vista Premium 64 which I bought off ebay about 6 months ago but haven't yet installed. I am close to building a new rig which I am intending to put this copy of Vista on. Can someone tell me in laymans terms whether MS will activate it or not, and will I be able to use windows update as per normal to download security updates etc. Note this is all I ever want, I have never once directly rung or emailed Microsoft for O/S support in any form, shape or other. Also, I do not plan to change mobos or anything for at least a couple of years, by which time I will almost certainly get WIndows 7 or whatever it is at the time.

Technically you shouldn't be using an OEM product, but it most likely will activate and get updates as normal.

Burnsy2023 · 29 Jan 2009 at 15:02

Mattf121 said:
Have you tried it then?

Lets not divert this thread to naughty things

Burnsy2023 · 30 Jan 2009 at 12:21

stoofa, dude, I think it might be worth toning down a little just to make sure you dont' fall foul of the personal attack rule

Burnsy2023 · 5 Jun 2009 at 11:23

Vertigo1 said:
Have MS changed their minds at all or are we all still expected to be buying full retail copies of Windows from now on in order to stay legal?

Technically yes. Their stance was pretty simple, end users should not be buying anything other than FPP or upgrade for their own use, unless they bought a machine from an OEM.

The email I got also hinted that people that have bought OEM licences previously are ok as long as it was "in good faith", but didn't say much other than that.

Burnsy2023 · 5 Jun 2009 at 12:01

optitech-uk said:
One product, one price please.

That wouldn't be good for the average consumer though, as the average price would rise.