Re: Community and freedom : was Re: [LUG] Farseer enterprises

[alan <amd@xxxxxxxxx>]

On 2004.12.11 12:24 Rob Beard wrote:
> Richard Brown wrote:
>
> > Quick question. I know many computer shops that regularly load up 
> > w98 on machines and hand-out newly burnt cds of said distribution 
> > quite freely. They all contain the same serial number or one of 
> > about five. Is this legal? Have they bought a right to do this? 
> > Using Linux and the 'free' and 'freedom' argument counteracts this 
> > quite well.
> Installing the same copy of Windows on multiple PCs with the same 
> serial number generally isn't legal.  There is a thing called Select 
> (or is it now called something else? can't remember), which companies 
> can use.  They basicly get a shed load of MS software and can install 
> it on all the PCs in the company and they pay a lower cost for 
> licences, but I think it requires a minimum order amount.
>
> If the computer shop is selling copies of Windows 9x, or supplying 
> PCs without a valid COA then that is illegal.  I didn't think they 
> would take the risk myself.
>
> Rob

As far as I can remember, you buy an OEM licence from Microsoft, which 
gives you one copy of win98.
You can then install that same copy on multiple machines (with the same 
serial) up to the number of licences that you paid for.
Then you have to buy more "credit" from MS.

So its not necessarily illegal ...
But in each individual case, its hard to tell.

alan

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