As long as the CDs, license agreement and everything goes with the computer. They can't just sell a computer preinstalled with windows and not give you licensed CDs and manuals, unless they have an agreement with Microsoft.
Also, it is illegal to sell just the computer and keep the license for windows, the software license is tied *forever* to the hardware which is why computer suppliers have to stick the Microsoft licenses onto the computer case before they can sell them. This is the same for things like MS Office too. Example #1: Illegal - You buy a computer for home with Windows XP and Office XP. You sell the computer but keep the OS and Office for your new computer... you can't do this legally. Example #2: Legal- You buy a computer for home with Windows XP and Office XP. You sell the computer, OS and MS Office. You buy a new computer and new copies of Windows and Office. This is the same for almost all proprietary software (In the EULA), you can not un-install software that was licensed on one computer and then install it on a new one, you must purchase a new copy. Cheers, -- Trevor Lauder Web: http://www.thelauders.net E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Resume: http://www.thelauders.net/resume/ Gentoo Linux Powered "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex... It takes a touch of genius -- and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction." -- Albert Einstein Roy Souther said: > I was watching A-Channel this morning and they did a spot on a local > group that collects, fixes then distributes old computers. Their web > site implies that they offer computers with Windows installed. I am > pretty sure this is illegal. Only OEM licensed distributors and groups > that have contracts with Microsoft are allowed to do this. There are > many reports of M$ hell hounds going after unlicensed groups. I don't > want to say who these people are because think what they are doing is > none of my business. M$ can get stuffed for all I care. > > My question is do you think these people know they are on legal thin > ice? > > I have see many second hand stores selling computers with Windows > installed. As a society that is concerned for the rights of these store > owners and their customers maybe we should try to get a PSA in the news > papers about this. I don't want to contact these store owners directly, > that would just make them mad. > > Roy Souther > www.SiliconTao.com > > Changing the way people do business. >
