It is not illegal to re-sell original, modified or even burned copies of Windows. The only thing that is a problem is the licenses. Such as, I could make 100 copies of Vista and sell them without being liable as long as CD Keys are not provided.

Really? Ask the autopatcher folks if reselling or distributing (free) Microsoft binaries and IP doesn't get you in the crosshairs of the legal system. How quickly we forget - redistribution of Microsoft software is *not* OK (at least here in the US and Canada, and most EU countries) unless you *are Microsoft*. If you are *not* Microsoft, you *cannot* redistribute the software in *any* form (read the EULA closely - it forbids redistribution).

(read the EULA closely - it forbids redistribution).

EULAs are not legally enforcable.

(read the EULA closely - it forbids redistribution).

EULAs are not legally enforcable.

OK, you take that chance, but contract law and precedent (for recent, see Blizzard vs BNetD or Mortensen vs Timberline Software) have, in the US at least, made EULAs enforceable. Canada is usually quick to follow suit, and I know that it's not long before the EU hops on the bandwagon too. Contract law on almost all other contract types end up being upheld in courts, and EULAs have been too. So don't be so sure that EULA isn't legal and enforceable.

Not only that, this thinking makes the GPL unenforceable (as it's a license on it's property, just like a EULA on a software package) and all open-source code is now public domain, no better than BSD code, to be assimilated into commercial products without recourse. Because, of course, a license on software is not enforceable and thus means nothing, right?

EULAs are not legally enforcable.

Are you drunk?

You agree to the EULA the moment you install the software thus they are enforcable..

"Opening the package, means you agreed EULA."

I haven't seen the EULA yet...

Edited September 18, 200817 yr by xlfdll

The first post is about Disc media, but, HOW ABOUT THE IMAGES FILES?

(For example, Windows XP or Vista's .iso image from Microsoft sites, without CD-KEY)

If you sell the ISO, it's illegal.

Ya ok, when you buy Windows you don't buy the disc. The disc is free. You pay for the license. So based on that you could make 100 copies of Windows and give them all away for free. You can't sell them and you can't give out CD Keys with them. That's the deal really.

Ya ok, when you buy Windows you don't buy the disc. The disc is free. You pay for the license. So based on that you could make 100 copies of Windows and give them all away for free. You can't sell them and you can't give out CD Keys with them. That's the deal really.

That's not true either. Distributing Microsoft software can only be done legally by certified resellers. You'll find this is the case a lot when it comes to laptops - manufacturers provide the user with the license, and a recovery partition, but no disc. When purchasing the laptop, you can pay another $5-10 for the media.

You guys cannot do what you want with the media, the contents or the software. When you buy software, you agree to it's license and it's terms. That's it. Simply.

Edited September 25, 200817 yr by jcarle