buying used computers with office software - legal?

[randy]

I am looking at buying some used computers from a business that went
bankrupt.
They have windows XP installed with hologram key stickers on the
computer cases but come with no discs. I was told that that key would
make the ownership of the software legal since I am buying the computer
too.

However what about any other software loaded on the computer. I am told
that they have MS Office installed. Would I also be the legal owner of
that installed software?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Bob I]

Not without the license, if they can't/don't/won't provide the license,
you don't receive ownership.

 

[Plato]

I am looking at buying some used computers from a business that went
bankrupt.

Offer them $50/pc.

 

[Tritium]

I am looking at buying some used computers from a business that went
bankrupt.
They have windows XP installed with hologram key stickers on the
computer cases but come with no discs. I was told that that key would
make the ownership of the software legal since I am buying the computer
too.

However what about any other software loaded on the computer. I am told
that they have MS Office installed. Would I also be the legal owner of
that installed software?

Thanks in advance.

Legal ownership involves the complete package and this includes
the COA, the product cdrom or equivalent, manuals, etc. Without
the complete package, the purchaser has no assurances.

 

[randy]

I am looking at buying the program of Ebay and most of the sellers
state the following:
---
This is the full version, not trial, not academic, and not a copy.
Legal and authentic Microsoft hologram CD's that are in a sealed
package. The disks and product key has never been used. The package
includes the discs, sleeves, and product key only. The manual and box
are not included. Picture is for recognition purposes only. Help
documentation is on the CD.

 

[Kerry Brown]

I am looking at buying the program of Ebay and most of the sellers
state the following:
---
This is the full version, not trial, not academic, and not a copy.
Legal and authentic Microsoft hologram CD's that are in a sealed
package. The disks and product key has never been used. The package
includes the discs, sleeves, and product key only. The manual and box
are not included. Picture is for recognition purposes only. Help
documentation is on the CD.

The legality is open to interpretation. Are you talking about Microsoft
Office or Windows XP. The product is most likely OEM product. If it is
Office then it is a very grey area. Whomever is selling it is supposed to
install it on a computer according to their OEM agreement with Microsoft.
OEM Office cannot be sold without a computer. If it is Windows XP then two
possibilities exist. If it is old stock then the OEM agreement was that it
could be sold with a qualifying piece of hardware i.e. a mouse or memory
stick, etc.. If it is current stock then it must be an unopened one pack not
an individual piece from a multi pack. It must have the OEM agreement on the
outside of the package. In any case if it is OEM it is a grey area. It is
also restricted for use on the first computer it is installed on and it can
only be used on a new install i.e. you can't do an in place upgrade with it.
All these rules are Microsoft's rules. As far as I know the legality hasn't
been tested in court. I regularly buy and sell on eBay. I never buy or sell
OEM software unless it comes with a computer. There is a lot of counterfeit
and pirated software on eBay. Always pay via a credit card. If the software
can't be activated then you can go to your credit card company for help.

Kerry

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I am looking at buying the program of Ebay and most of the sellers
state the following:
---
This is the full version, not trial, not academic, and not a copy.
Legal and authentic Microsoft hologram CD's that are in a sealed
package. The disks and product key has never been used. The package
includes the discs, sleeves, and product key only. The manual and box
are not included. Picture is for recognition purposes only. Help
documentation is on the CD.

Actually, it's quite unlikely that you can obtain a legitimate
license via eBay. Especially in this instance, where the seller is
admitting to using a fake photograph to sell the "product."

One must be very careful buying any software on eBay, as eBay makes no
prior effort to ensure that such sales are legitimate; they react only
when someone files a complaint. (And then all that really happens is
the seller of the pirated software returns using a different alias, to
continue selling illegitimate licenses.)

--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[randy]

It was a version of Office 2003. I need it for business use and want to
be legal if I buy it. Here is what the vender said:

--This product has never been used, is registerable with never before
used product key code, complete with Certificate of Authenticity (COA),
the license is for a single user, and to meet eBay's and MS's rules for
OEM, it will be shipped with a nonperipheral hardware device. It is, as
pictured below, with the product key code on the COA and side-to-side
halo media. This is guaranteed authentic product, from a MS authorized
distribution channel, a single unit from a volume order made for a
company that has since gone out of business.
--

 

[Bruce Chambers]

It was a version of Office 2003. I need it for business use and want to
be legal if I buy it. Here is what the vender said:

--This product has never been used, is registerable with never before
used product key code, complete with Certificate of Authenticity (COA),
the license is for a single user, and to meet eBay's and MS's rules for
OEM, it will be shipped with a nonperipheral hardware device. It is, as
pictured below, with the product key code on the COA and side-to-side
halo media. This is guaranteed authentic product, from a MS authorized
distribution channel, a single unit from a volume order made for a
company that has since gone out of business.

The seller is misrepresenting - can't say whether it's deliberately or
through ignorance - Microsoft's rules (licensing terms, actually)
regarding the sale of OEM Office licenses. While Microsoft does permit
that sale of OEM operating systems along with a non-peripheral hardware
device, that isn't true of OEM Office, which can only be distributed
when it's pre-installed on a computer.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Alias]

The seller is misrepresenting - can't say whether it's deliberately
or through ignorance - Microsoft's rules (licensing terms, actually)
regarding the sale of OEM Office licenses. While Microsoft does permit
that sale of OEM operating systems along with a non-peripheral hardware
device, that isn't true of OEM Office, which can only be distributed
when it's pre-installed on a computer.

Talk about overpriced software. The price of Office is outrageous.

Alias

 

[randy]

that isn't true of OEM Office, which can only be distributed when it's pre-installed on a computer.
Then that brings me back to the beginning where it is already loaded on
the used computers for sale that I would like to buy.
So then no one other than the original business owner can use them and
they are now bankrupt.
That is a no win situation.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Talk about overpriced software. The price of Office is outrageous.

Alias

We weren't, but if you don't think Office is worth the price, you're
perfectly free to buy something else. In the meantime, Microsoft, just
like any other business, is entitled to charge whatever price it thinks
appropriate. If consumers "vote with their wallets" and start opting to
buy other, lower price alternatives, than Microsoft will either adjust
its prices or lose sales. At least, that's the way free enterprise
works, outside the artificial, government-subsidized (i.e.,
tax-payer-subsidized) socialist economy of many European countries that
you're accustomed to.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Then that brings me back to the beginning where it is already loaded on
the used computers for sale that I would like to buy.

If said business elected to discard the Office licenses, rather than
include them in the sale of the computers, then you don't really have a
legitimate license to use the software. However, no one will ever know,
and you'll only actually have to buy new licenses whenever a
re-installation or repair becomes necessary. Let your conscience be
your guide.

So then no one other than the original business owner can use them and
they are now bankrupt.
That is a no win situation.

How so? If you didn't pay a higher price for the computers to include
the Office licenses when you bought them, how are you now a "loser?"
Did you expect to get something for nothing? And, if you did expect the
purchase of the computers to include the licenses for all of the
installed software, how did this expectation come about? Did the court
overseeing the sales of the bankrupt company specify that the licenses
were included with the computers? If so, take the matter up with said
court.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on having
both at once. - RAH

 

[Kerry Brown]

It was a version of Office 2003. I need it for business use and want
to be legal if I buy it. Here is what the vender said:

--This product has never been used, is registerable with never before
used product key code, complete with Certificate of Authenticity
(COA), the license is for a single user, and to meet eBay's and MS's
rules for OEM, it will be shipped with a nonperipheral hardware
device. It is, as pictured below, with the product key code on the
COA and side-to-side halo media. This is guaranteed authentic
product, from a MS authorized distribution channel, a single unit
from a volume order made for a company that has since gone out of
business.

Once you have the license it is perfectly legal for you to use it as far as
I know. The text you supplied, presumably from their listing, is for Windows
XP not Office XP. Office has different rules. This makes one think: What
else is the seller misrepresenting? The seller is at best breaking their
agreement with Microsoft but that is not your problem. Your problem is
determining if it is indeed a legitimate license or a counterfeit. If it is
counterfeit you may have problems activating it. Office 2003 only works for
50 uses unless it is activated. There is much counterfeit software sold on
eBay. Another problem is that Office has different versions for different
countries and languages. A lot of software on eBay is for use other than in
North America. Also be aware that Microsoft offers no support for OEM
products. The support is by the system builder in this case as you are
installing it that is you.

Kerry

 

[Alias]

We weren't, but if you don't think Office is worth the price, you're
perfectly free to buy something else.

I am also perfectly free to bitch about the price of Office, now aren't I?

In the meantime, Microsoft, just
like any other business,

You mean monopoly.

is entitled to charge whatever price it thinks
appropriate. If consumers "vote with their wallets" and start opting to
buy other, lower price alternatives, than Microsoft will either adjust
its prices or lose sales. At least, that's the way free enterprise
works,

Monopoly ... monopoly. NOT "free enterprise".

outside the artificial, government-subsidized (i.e.,
tax-payer-subsidized) socialist economy of many European countries that
you're accustomed to.

How high would Office have to go before you would bitch? A grand? Two
grand? Ten grand?

Alias

 

[Shenan Stanley]

You mean monopoly.

I've notice people like to throw that word around in reference to
Microsoft..

Explain to me why *you* think Microsoft is a monopoly..?
The only explanation that fits (to me) is consumer ignorance of options -
which if that is true - then who is to blame?