Upgrades and EULA

[Kim]

I'm thinking about upgrading my computers (total of 7) to Office 2007. I
currently have 5 licenses that are retail purchase and 2 OEM licenses (all
Office XP 2000 or higher). I know the retail licenses are mine to use and
the OEM's live and die on that machine.

But I've been told that if I install an upgrade to a Vista computer that has
a trial copy pre-installed, I've just converted the upgrade that I purchased
to an OEM license.

Is this true?

I really don't want to have to install extra code on any computer just to
take it off for an upgrade.

Also, if I purchase a FULL version of the software for a computer that has a
trial installed, is this then an OEM? I really don't want to do that!

And lastly, the new EULA allows installation of the product on a single user
desktop and laptop. So in my case, that will actually reduce the number of
licenses I have, as I've always had one license/computer before. How does
this work on the 2 laptops that have OEM software if the Desktops that I am
installing them on have Retail licenses?

I've searched the Knowledge Base and read the EULA, but can't find the
answer so I've come here.

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Kim,

I'm not clear on what software you're using as the basis for applying an upgrade package. A trial edition won't qualify, but a
prior Office version edition would. A qualifying product need not be installed as long as you have the CD for it when installing
the upgrade.

OEM and Retail packages both come in 'full package product' versions. One doesn't become the other during installation. The same
would generally be true for an upgrade, i.e. if you're upgrading a retail edition of Office (your desktop) with a retail edition of
an Office upgrade the retail EULA would apply.

The retail license for Office for several versions has allowed one computer and one portable device both for the same user.

=========
I'm thinking about upgrading my computers (total of 7) to Office 2007. I
currently have 5 licenses that are retail purchase and 2 OEM licenses (all
Office XP 2000 or higher). I know the retail licenses are mine to use and
the OEM's live and die on that machine.

But I've been told that if I install an upgrade to a Vista computer that has
a trial copy pre-installed, I've just converted the upgrade that I purchased
to an OEM license.

Is this true?

I really don't want to have to install extra code on any computer just to
take it off for an upgrade.

Also, if I purchase a FULL version of the software for a computer that has a
trial installed, is this then an OEM? I really don't want to do that!

And lastly, the new EULA allows installation of the product on a single user
desktop and laptop. So in my case, that will actually reduce the number of
licenses I have, as I've always had one license/computer before. How does
this work on the 2 laptops that have OEM software if the Desktops that I am
installing them on have Retail licenses?

I've searched the Knowledge Base and read the EULA, but can't find the
answer so I've come here.>>
--

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

 

[Kim]

Hi Bob,
Thanks for the reply!

I've always believed that Microsoft was one of the companies that did one
license per computer at a time (so a full retail version was
transferable)/not one license per user (assuming the standard user desktop
and laptop). And I don't violate license agreements! Which is why this is
becoming such a quagmire for me.

I think with a bit more research, I now have a more definite question. All
of my computers have come with OEM Microsoft Works, which according to what
I've read is a qualifying product for a Microsoft Upgrade.

But I have always purchased a full version of Office for each
computer-either OEM from the manufacturer or retail-so that would be the
basis of my using versions for upgrade.

The 2 OEMs that I have left will die when those machines die and are both
laptops, so that is an easy fix, simply uninstall the OEM and use the second
license capability for them.

But the rest are a different story. At one time all had full retail
purchased versions of Office, and were upgraded-so the full retail product
key was traded in for the upgrade. However, 3 of these machines have been
re-built. And during the re-build, I did not install the prior version of
Office-only the upgrade. And I was not asked for the old key. All the
computers had trial software on them, but they also had OEM Works. My guess
is that it saw the Works and installed. But my understanding the EULA in
that instance, is that that UPGRADE product is now tied to that computer and
can no longer be transferred? So I have both given up the old retail license
AND given up the transferability of the upgrade? That was not my intent-but
computers don't argue! They do EXACTLY what they are told, whether
intentional or not. I know Angels and heads of pins-but

I know all of this is in a Master Database that will ultimately control
whether my software registers or not. And once I break the seal, the
software is non-returnable. With 4 computers, I really don't want to buy
full versions. 4 upgrades will be a stretch, considering I can't have the
"not for commercial use" printed on each document, and NEED Outlook for my 15
year old son.

Thanks for listening!