Its know that OEM version of softwares like Windows and all others cost less than full versions. Can anyone please tell me whats the difference between OEM and Full version from teh legal point of view and whether if the only difference is that OEM should be installed on formatted HDD ?
An OEM version comes from the manufacture of the PC such as Dell etc and the full version can be purchased in a shop. OEM versions usually come bundled with software drivers (and other programs) for the specific PC that it was shipped with. From a legal point of view I dont know if there is any, you would need to read the legal agreement when installing the OEM version.
From what I understand, OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and thus the OEM version of the software can only accompany a brand new computer. Manufactuers such as HP, Dell and the likes will purchase the OEM version and pre-install them on the computers that they sell. You can buy OEM version technically they are for custom-build PCs which you assemble yourself. It would be legally for the store to sell you an OEM version of the software without some kind of hardware sold with it. The full version doesn't need to be accompanied by any hardware purchase. From what the store told me, the OEM version can only be installed on one computer and it is tied in to that computer. If you need to upgrade by moving to another one, you need to purchase another OEM version. The full retail version allows you to move the license to a new computer if you need to do so, as long as there is only 1 active working computer per license.
Ok but then how there are tens of sellers of OEM versions ? Those sellers arent affiliated with Dell etc Aand what if you buy OEM version,install it and then upgrade your motherboard or other hardware,will it stop working ?
It is the licensing thing. Sellers are not allowed to sell OEM versions of software as it is, they need to sell it with some kind of hardware as per the OEM agreement. Like I said earlier, you can purchase an OEM version of Windows if you buy say a motherboard or one of those D-I-Y PC kit or other components which would make up a PC. They are just now allowed to sell the OEM version of Windows just on its own. It is all legal issues. I am not sure if you upgrade your motherboard if the OEM version will stop working, I never tried that.
you can sell it on ebay and anywhere if it is sold with hardware, In theory the hardware should be used in the construction of a new computer where the oem software is locked to the pc. But many things on ebay onve you get it than you can do what you want with it. All sellers one bay to apply with ebay rules will supply it with some non-persiable item. (ram,hdd etc.) I think in theory the item that comes with the oem cannot be removed or upgraded once its been in a pc. it wont "stop" working but say you got owm with HDD than upgraded HDD you are ment to buy a new version.
Ok but those Ebay sellers are mostly selling OEM versions without any hardware,only software as is. I guess they are violating some rules but not those for which MS will go after...thats why there hundreds of OEM windows available
Well, but it would be againsts TOS to purchase them. It is probably not something wise to do, really.
Yes microsoft won't follow you up unless you selling 100s but those are selling with hardware. However not selling oem with hardware is violating ebay regulations and they do follow it up as they just cancel the auction, but it needs to be reported first.
they say they will ship it with a random piece of hardware just so they can comply with the MS TOS but they never do. They buy it by the bulk and sell individual liscence so they can make a % off of them. I would advise you to buy a full licence just in case you motherboard breaks. You can change about anything in your set-up but from what I heard, the OEM licence is tied to the motherboard (correct me if I m wrong). it s about 50 to 75 $ difference and it s worth it since the next one OEM licence will cost you more than the extra. You will be able to reinstall it on as many computer as you like as long as there's only one registered at the time. you will also be able to reinstall the OEM as much as you like but only on the first computer you installed it on
OEM does mean Original Equipment Manufacturer - it does not mean, however, that this is the company that built the machine. An individual who wants to build their own PC can purchase OEM software but the regulations, certainly from a Microsoft point of view, is that OEM software must be purchased alongside a piece of hardware. What most people do to get round this rule is buy 6 inches of drive cable when they buy something OEM!