Eligibility for OEM version of Office XP Pro.

[Dave Shea]

I see a lot of websites offering Microsoft Office XP
Professional for sale as the OEM version. I've asked a
number of web-sites what criteria I need to meet to ensure
I am using legally licenced software if I buy an OEM copy
of the software from them.

The criteria I have been sent appear to be so relaxed that
some sites suggest I only need to buy a mouse from them to
be eligible to legitimately purchase and use an OEM copy
of Office XP Professional.

Does anyone have a clue on this or better still, a
Microsoft statement that might hold water?

Please reply to this newsgroup.

 

[Randall Arnold]

It's a grey area of sorts. Officially, OEM software is bundled with
equipment you purchase. Operating systems are usually tied to a CPU or
maybe hard drive purchase. But vendors will take advantage of any loophole
they can.

Keep in mind acquiring OEM and/or NFR software via (ahem) irregular channels
is not illegal per se-- it just violates Microsoft's policies. If you
install and register such software in your possession, it will probably
function just fine and you will in all likelihood not notice a difference.
The caveat here is that you run the risk of forgoing support if MS becomes
aware that you acquired the software inappropriately. Pirated software is a
different issue entirely, as the law comes into effect here.

Bottom line, tread carefully, and be aware of the potential pitfalls of
playing in the grey market. Microsoft (et al) is not to blame if people
don't read the fine print and become informed about software usage.

Randall Arnold

 

[Diane Poremsky [MVP]]

Along with Randall's advice - if you are buying it cheap in an effort to get
the technology upgrade to Office 2003 - it's buyer beware. The purchase may
not qualify.

--
Diane Poremsky [MVP - Outlook]
Author, Teach Yourself Outlook 2003 in 24 Hours

http://www.poremsky.com - http://www.cdolive.com

Expert Zone http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone

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