Is OEM software legal?

[odonSlelsor]

Sorry, maybe this question is off topic for this board, but I hope someone may clear it out for me. rnI have heard that OEM software are much cheaper than retail version and after digging over the web I have found software online store that proposed many different cheap computer software. Can you suggest if this safe to purchase the cheap software online? Can you share your thoughts what need I look over when start purchase? rn rnThanks!

[Ingram]

Odon,
OEM is a wholesale version that is sold from the manufacturer to another manufacturer or retailer for integration into a product.

Case in point, some years ago I had four pc's built at a computer shop & they provided an installed OEM version of Windows XP, which was perfectly appropriate. However, had he sold me OEM Windows XP by itself with no hardware, that would be a violation of his terms with his wholesaler (manufacturer).

So by the book, yes, it is illegal to sell OEM as a stand alone. However it is VERY common.

[valeria]

Odon,
OEM is a wholesale version that is sold from the manufacturer to another manufacturer or retailer for integration into a product.

Case in point, some years ago I had four pc's built at a computer shop & they provided an installed OEM version of Windows XP, which was perfectly appropriate. However, had he sold me OEM Windows XP by itself with no hardware, that would be a violation of his terms with his wholesaler (manufacturer).

So by the book, yes, it is illegal to sell OEM as a stand alone. However it is VERY common.

Hi, thanks for sharing the information here regarding OEM software. I like your post and I hope you to continue it in near future also.

[newtonph]

Definitely illegal, and probably many more people around the world has the same serial like yours..