Cheapest XP

asininity

TBH I dont think M$ are gonna come knocking your door down to make sure you're a system builder, at least you're buying the software.

As to the legality of the licence... well in Britain it might not mean anything like a lot of stuff thats writen in america.

[Deleted User]

asininity wrote: »

TBH I dont think M$ are gonna come knocking your door down to make sure you're a system builder, at least you're buying the software.

As to the legality of the licence... well in Britain it might not mean anything like a lot of stuff thats writen in america.

Businesses would have an issue significantly more serious than a home user, where I would anticipate the worst-case scenario is that Microsoft denied you support and updates, however I think that is a highly unlikely situation.

There is no distinguishable difference between using an OEM or a pirated version; neither complies with the terms of the license just one leaves you down on money.

gjchester

asininity wrote: »

TBH I dont think M$ are gonna come knocking your door down to make sure you're a system builder, at least you're buying the software.

Probably right, but if your knowingly going to violate the T&C's and invalidate the licence before you start you may as well get some open source linux or a pirate copy and save the cash you just threw away.
I'm not advocating piracy, but if you pay money and break the T&C's to obtain the licence (because your not a system builder) it's still invalid, and can be classed a pirate copy as your licence isn't valid.

asininity wrote: »

As to the legality of the licence... well in Britain it might not mean anything like a lot of stuff thats writen in america.

I doubt it. Microsoft's laywers will have been paid a lot of money to ensure the terms and conditions are exactly what they wanted and enforcable in every country they sell the software in.

nomoneytoday

GIMP is free and will work with Linux, allowing viewing and manipulation of photos

[Deleted User]

Barry_Scott wrote: »

From the link supplied.
Authorized Distribution and Acceptance. To distribute the Software or Hardware in this Pack, you must be a System Builder and accept this license. “System Builder” means an original equipment manufacturer, an assembler, a refurbisher.

Putting another or indeed a fresh copy of a OS on a PC is indeed refurbishing a PC so you are indeed covered and no licence has been broken.

That's an incorrect interpretation of the license agreement.

asininity

If its open to interpretation then it could mean anything.

[Deleted User]

asininity wrote: »

If its open to interpretation then it could mean anything.

Not when it's clearly defined within the System Builder License.

gjchester

Barry_Scott wrote: »

No its not because if the user has the COA they can reinstall :beer:

They can't reinstall, that implies it was there in the first place, and it's not.

[Deleted User]

Barry_Scott wrote: »

From the link supplied.
Authorized Distribution and Acceptance. To distribute the Software or Hardware in this Pack, you must be a System Builder and accept this license. “System Builder” means an original equipment manufacturer, an assembler, a refurbisher.

Putting another or indeed a fresh copy of a OS on a PC is indeed refurbishing a PC so you are indeed covered and no licence has been broken.

This is only applicable if you are a MAR (Microsoft Authorized Refurbisher) and you are still bound by the System Builder License.

Barry_Scott wrote: »

No its not because if the user has the COA they can reinstall :beer:

Only the Refurbisher can reinstall as the OEM is non transferable between End Users, therefore if the Refurbisher has both the COA and the Original Media then it the installation will be licensed correctly. If there is no media, a new license must be aquired, if there is no COA, a new license must be aquired also.

It's also worth noting that to be considered a MAR, you have to refurbish 5,000+ machines a year.

asininity

If I build a system, then technically I'm a system builder. If I do a fresh install I'm refurbishing the system.

But really its down to the courts to decide if its open to misunderstanding.

If M$ want to take me to court for putting an OEM copy of XP on my machine, they'd have to prove I broke the licence agreement, prove I knew I was breaking it, and that the licence agreement is infact legal in the UK which would defo be questionable.

If theres no criminal intent and I paid for the copy they'd not make much from me if any.