[Question] OEM licenses

[PCenter]

Hello everyone.

I have a question regarding the installation of Win XP on computers meant for retail.

I have been on the Microsoft website, OEM topic etc, however it is still not clear to me how it exactly works.

Lets say I build a computer,meant for retail, and I want Win Xp on it.

Should I just buy a full version of it? What about those OEM keys?

Thank you for your time.

[prx984]

From my understanding, you can get an OEM version and install it on that computer, but once its either installed or activated, it becomes bound to that computer and cannot be used on any other computer.

That's my understanding of the OEM licenses. So, my answer to your question would be to go with the OEM version. You should state that when the person buys the computer however, that the XP install is meant for that computer and that computer only.

Hope this helps

[PCenter]

Yes ty

Although, what about those keys? I heard one can buy boxed keys or so.. 1,3,30 packs..?

I always thought, that a retailer could use a full Win Xp cd for install and then use keys he has to buy to go with that computer? Or am I dead wrong here?

Anyway, thnx again!

[prx984]

I'd imagine that a system retailer could go out and buy an OEM box set that has say, 50 cd keys with 50 discs.

It might be worthwhile calling Microsoft and talking to them directly about it.

[cluberti]

If you are the system builder of these computers, you buy OEM licenses and media to go with the PCs, and you install the OEM copies (and use the OEM PID keys) on these computers. However, if you are not the system builder building and selling these PCs, you buy and install the retail versions of Windows on these PCs.

[severach]

The advantage you give the customer by buying Retail instead of OEM is that they can format and reinstall on as many new computers as they like. Since 99.999% of all customers never do this you are only charging them extra for something they don't need. You may be able to get volume discounts on OEM licenses.

[Silvereyes]

It actually depends on where you live. In Europe, OEM licenses are NOT

tied to a particular motherboard as this is strictly forbidden by European Law.

Specifically, the Computer Software Directive 1991, Article 4c which states:-

"The first sale in the Community of a copy of a program by the rightholder or

with his consent shall exhaust the distribution right within the Community of

that copy, with the exception of the right to control further rental of the

program or a copy thereof."

So it's perfectly legal for an End User to buy 'second user' licenses,

retail or oem, and/or move licenses between machines within the EU.

For a retailer or a system builder it's a bit different. Specifically:-

1) OEM licenses are intended for use by system builders and MUST NOT be

sold to End Users.

2) Retail licenses are intended for sale to End Users and MUST NOT be

used by system builders.

Basically what this means is that if you are building a system for onward sale,

whether it's for a specific customer or just to put on display in the shop, you

MUST use an OEM license. Using a retail license is a violation of that

license and, incidently, will cost you considerably more. £156.26 v. £87.60 for

XP Pro SP2B at the time of writing.

Retail licenses come in a nice box with pretty pictures, shrink wrapping and a

holographic seal which MUST be intact when you sell it. There's actually

a note on the seal to this effect. If you are going to install it for a customer

then strictly speaking you should have them pay for it first and then break the

seal themselves before returning it to you for installation.

Fortunately, not even Microsoft are THAT pendantic

I hope this has been of some help as it is an area where you have to be very,

very careful.