I guess that the underlying theme to this whole thread is this: Due to the fact that any closed-source vendor can change their EULA at any time, without notice, it is practically impossible to ensure your company is 100% compliant with all of the various licenses.
Even though some of the provisions in various EULAs may not be Legally enforceable, if the M$ police find you in violation with their EULA and refuse to sell you more software, or sue you, you have to go to court. The lawyers alone will bankrupt you even if you win. And if you are a system builder that can't provide windows with your PCs, will you be able to stay in business? (At least until we can convince the world to use Linux :) ) -----Original Message----- From: Mark Lane [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: June 13, 2003 9:57 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: (clug-talk) Windows on use computers, is that legal? At 09:47 PM 6/12/03, you wrote: >Well, it isn't just Microsoft here. Pretty much *any* OEM software >package no matter who it's from has pretty much the same EULA. And yes, >they can and do enforce it. Microsoft has even gone after local companies >here in Calgary that break the EULA and shut them down. Microsoft attempted to enforce that OEM software could only be sold with complete systems but failed. You can buy an OEM copy of windows with a floppy drive. Therefore how can they enforce that any upgraded system needs to have a new license. They can't despite their claims in the EULA. It's Microsoft FUD. The companies that were closed down, were not closed down for upgrading systems. I can guarantee you that. -- Mark Lane, CET mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Hard Data Ltd. http://www.harddata.com T: 01-780-456-9771 F: 01-780-456-9772 11060 - 166 Avenue Edmonton, AB, Canada, T5X 1Y3 --> Ask me about our Excellent 1U Systems! <--
