I had a good long chat to Eric Gales of Microsoft today.
Eric is responsible for OEM licensing, and he was just the man to clear up the recent confusion created by news of changes in the OEM terms and conditions. You'll recall that we've been discussing this in the forum - Microsoft changed the OEM agreement on 29th August this year.
The new terms prohibit the sale of an OEM copy of Windows XP or Office 2003 direct to an end user - you must be a system builder, and can no longer buy the software with a 'non-peripheral' item of hardware, such as a hard drive, or some RAM.The problem as we understood it was that this effectively slammed the door in the faces of the thousands of small, home-based computer builders, who might make a few PCs for friends, or even for customers.
These people have in the past been able to buy OEM software from online suppliers, together with the bits and pieces of hardware they need. Eric assures me that Microsoft has actually no intention of stopping them from obtaining the software - provided the supplier is happy to sell it, and the purchaser understands he/she must install it on a new computer (not as an upgrade on an existing machine).
Microsoft knows that in the past OEM software was being sold in defiance of their 'non-peripheral' hardware requirement, and the new terms were actually designed to make things clearer.
That they haven't done so is amply illustrated by the number of people who are confused. I hope that confusion can now cease - you may go ahead an buy OEM Windows from anyone who will sell it to you, as long as you understand that you MUST install it on a new machine. Microsoft trusts you to observe that condition, and as loong as you do all will be well.
Eric Gales provided me with an excellent PowerPoint presentation that lays out the situation very clearly. He's happy for me to distribute it to anyone who would like a copy, and I think we might get Microsoft to agree to us including it on a future coverdisk.
As I write I'm waiting for the Microsoft Press people to OK this (they're a tad cautious about Microsoft files going on coverdisks), and once (if) they do I'll let you know. In the meantime we might discuss this further in Speakers Corner if anyone needs more clarification - I'll start a thread anyway.
Comments
Belatucadrus said: How big is the PP not BB so large PP via EM would be PITA
amonra said: PP presentation please when available thanks
Forum Editor said: Dont forget to email me if you would like a copy of the Microsoft PowerPoint file
Totally-braindead said: I too will be interested to see this powerpoint presentation I had assumed wrongly I suspect that this change would stop me buying Windows XP OEM when I built a new PC for someone According to what you seem to be saying this is not the case
Trebor said: What happens now to the OEM manufature Who supply a new machine where the serial number is not supplied by Microsoft MS refuse to reconise this amp will not let you download any Security Updates using windows update You have to download everything individuallySort of shoots themselves in the foot dont it
Trebor said: What constitutes a new Machine When doing an upgrade amp you use a new case which is where the Holograph is Stuck is that a new machine Or are they now saying that if a licence has been attached to a case the new owner can use that licence number when istalling their copy of XP ie when buying a refurbished which does not come with an OS installed It is efeectively not a new PC
jack said: Whilst this clears up the issue I wonder if it is so clear to the casual buider - He who builds for himself or friends that there is still no MS sopport or presumable from his re-seller- You build it and you have to fix it Of course if the problem is a bugun there is always good old PCA
Belatucadrus said: Ill wait to see the powerpoint but Im not sure what this has achieved At least before people had to make a gesture towards building their own system Traders like ebuyer seem to have taken the license change as carte blance permission to flog OEM copies to anyone regardless I have yet to find any reference to the OEM license conditions or limitations on the site Not a problem for those of us that know Or think we do But for the PC newbie who just sees a cheap copy of an OS this opens a new can of wormsI dont agree with DieSse but think that Microsoft should at least have mandated some explanation of what OEM means by the retailer At first glance this appears to be a somewhat futile exercise that has only served to confuse an already confused issue even further
DieSse said: They seem to be making the wrong discrimination to me Surely they should distinguish NOT between where it is installed - but by WHO installs it Retail for non-trade customers - OEM only for bona-fide traders who can provide proof that they are such