mynameis said:
Really? I assumed it came with the full version also.
I am an OEM supplier and I also have full versions (i.e with the box and tat
) of every OS the great evil empire has ever produced (anyone want a full boxed set of MSDOS 4.1?). The OEM version comes with the stickers and by law I am supposed to stick it on the hardware, from that moment forward that copy of the OS can only legally be used on that bit of hardware. The full version can be installed and used on any hardware as long as it is only installed on one system at a time, if you install it on a second one you are breaking the law.
In practice Microshaft will allow you to re-install the OEM version if you can persuade them of the legality (i.e by telling them over the phone that your motherboard was fried) but according to the license agreement even that is theoretically not legal, they are just being "nice" to their customers.
The Apple license is similar btw, the disks that came with your Apple system are only legally valid on that particular system, if you install it on another one you are breaking the law (although an authorised Apple tech can transfer it to a new system in the case of repair or replacement). Similarly the full version can only be installed on one system unless you purchase the "family" pack in which case you can install it on up to five systems that you or your immediate family members own.
If you buy an OEM version (i.e from a bulk PC shifter or internet site) then if you are not an OEM supplier you are theoretically breaking the law and likewise if you sell on an OEM copy (even if supplied with the OEM hardware it was originally installed on!) and you aren't an OEM supplier you are also breaking the law.
Why do you think I prefer Linux!
Amen-Moses