Is it legal to buy 2nd hand operating software?

travel_freak

Hi there,

I am thinking about upgrading a quite old PC which currently runs on Windows 98. I was just wondering whether it is a safe/legal thing to do to buy secondhand/used operating system software from ebay? I had a quick look yesterday and there seem to be plenty of people selling this but I genuinely don't know if this is a legitimate thing to do - I would have thought not due to licensing laws but would be grateful for advice from anyone more knowledgeable!

Many thanks.

Regards,

Zahc

http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2006/04/12/secondhand_ms_licences/

Zahc

vultura

Most Operating System licenses will be supplied OEM, meaning they are only to supplied with PC hardware. The terms of the OEM license restrict its use to one PC, for the life of said PC. So transferring it from one PC to another, even one that you own, breaks the license agreement.

Zahc

vultura wrote:

Most Operating System licenses will be supplied OEM, meaning they are only to supplied with PC hardware. The terms of the OEM license restrict its use to one PC, for the life of said PC. So transferring it from one PC to another, even one that you own, breaks the license agreement.

So the question is; Has the OS been used before, or bought in bulk (unused) from another company? With vista on the horizon big companies may be getting shot of XP?

Zahc

vultura

Medium/Large companies will have OS licenses covered under different MS licensing schemes, such as open licensing, software assurance, select license, etc.

Most companies will wait until at least one service pack has been released for a new OS before rolling out upgrades to it.

bat999

Hi travel_freak
I think you're taking a big chance buying second hand Windows operating systems from ebay. There are some dodgy geezers out there.;)

If you're looking for an operating system to use on your old machine then do yourself a favour and request a FREE Ubuntu CD.:D

The one to ask for is Ubuntu Dapper Drake 6.06 LTS from here:-
https://shipit.ubuntu.com/

:cool: :cool: :cool:

ScottishSapper

I would tread very carefully with buying OS from ebay. You will probably find few are legal and somewhere in the listing or small print when you actually get it, it will state 'copy for back up purposes only'

travel_freak

Thanks everyone, I pretty much thought this but was surprised to see how many people were selling these on ebay and wondered why/how. (Though I must admit some of them do look pretty dodgy).

Bat999 - thanks for your suggestion, I've never heard of this before could you give me some more clues as to what this is?

Many thanks.

Regards,

bat999

Hi travel_freak

Ubuntu is a version of Linux. It's an 'Open Source' operating system (that means its FREE).:j
It's a user-friendly version, their motto is 'Linux for human beings'.:p
You can either ask them to post you a CD (takes a few weeks) or you can download it and burn your own (it's legal).

There are two ways to use Ubuntu:-
i) Erase Windows and install Ubuntu on its own.
ii) Have both systems installed and choose which one to use each time you switch on (dual-booting).

I think that old PC of yours is worth less than £20, you may as well have some fun with it before it goes in the skip. You'll have fun getting your head round Ubuntu.:rolleyes:

There was a thread running the other day about Ubuntu, it's worth having a read. It's here:-
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=319069

Any more questions, just ask - there's lots of Ubuntu fanboys on this forum.

This is Ubuntu's main website:-
http://www.ubuntu.com/
:cool: