OEM Microsoft software clarifications, plus, “If it’s labeled OEM, you should stay away from that,” Neil MacBride of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) about buying software online.

Get up to $1,000,000 from the BSA if you know someone running illegal software

Noticias externas — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 08:59:28 GMT

Yes, you read all of those 0's right.&#xA0; On October 1st, the Business Software Alliance (BSA

Get up to $1,000,000 from the BSA if you know someone running illegal software

Microsoft Small Business Community Blog — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 08:57:58 GMT

Yes, you read all of those 0's right.  On October 1st, the Business Software Alliance (BSA) announced

Say goodbye to Microsoft Office 2003

Microsoft Small Business Community Blog — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 17:10:15 GMT

As you know, Microsoft Office 2007 launched for Business customers through Volume Licensing in November

re: OEM Microsoft software clarifications, plus, “If it’s labeled OEM, you should stay away from that,” Neil MacBride of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) about buying software online.

TechSoEasy — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:35:07 GMT

Eric,

Some times you have to come out of your Microsoft Shell and realize that you're in a completely undefensible position. Let's forget about the pirates for a moment... because mixing piracy with legitimate OEM issues takes the focus off of what's being said here.

As long as Microsoft continues to sell OEM Software packaged in singles which are sold through legitimate RETAILERS (Amazon, NewEgg, etc), there are going to be problems with Microsoft's credibility about truly "enforcing" OEM license programs.

Why don't you just rename these licenses to "NON-SUPPORTED" instead of OEM. That would make it much clearer to the purchaser what the true difference is and then you can stop pretending that there isn't a problem. Because this "NEW" licensing has only made things better for the large retailers who now don't need to include a "non-peripheral" device with the software. As you've stated above, "With the new 1-pack, the unopened package can be distributed to another system builder by itself, without any hardware requirement."

Now, if you can demonstrate that there is some kind of System Builder ID Number that must be provided when buying a single package OEM license and that these sales are truly monitored to enforce the rules, Microsoft will again be able to gain some credibility. But we know that there are no such requirements and that ANYONE can be a system builder even if they are only going to build a single system for themselves.

Now I'm sure there are thousands if not millions of people who build their own computers and would therefore qualify for OEM software. And I certainly don't think that Microsoft or any company should turn away that kind of business, especially because they are some of Microsoft's most loyal fans. And I do realize how difficult it would be to start calling these licenses "UNSUPPORTED".

But c'mon, we're not idiots and neither are our customers. In your article above, you stated, "If you are not a System Builder, the only legitimate way to purchase OEM Microsoft software is with a fully-assembled computer system". But the reason that ANYONE can be a system builder is actually provided in Microsoft's Form 10-K (Annual SEC Financial Report) for last year which sates that "the OEM channel accounts for over 80% of total Client revenue". (or roughly $9,000,000,000.00 in revenue last year).

re: OEM Microsoft software clarifications, plus, “If it’s labeled OEM, you should stay away from that,” Neil MacBride of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) about buying software online.

Eric Ligman — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 12:09:12 GMT

@ Andy

System Builder software cannot be used for legalization:

The Get Genuine Kit is the proper channel legalization solution for existing PCs, NOT OEM System Builder Software.

For details please visit http//:oem.microsoft/getgenuine.

re: OEM Microsoft software clarifications, plus, “If it’s labeled OEM, you should stay away from that,” Neil MacBride of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) about buying software online.

Eric Ligman — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 09:20:31 GMT

@ Gay

We are looking to find the software pirates. We publish quarterly updates on some of the ones we are prosecuting as well for anyone interested: http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/partners/alerts.mspx

As for, "i tell people to go buy it on the internet, it's cheaper than i can buy it for, let alone sell it. if your software was more reasonably priced, you'd probably see less pirated software," the whole point about Neil MacBride's artilce is that when purchasing online (be it search engines, auction sites, etc.), people are often sold illegal and counterfeit software, not legitimate software. Are you surprised that someone selling counterfeit software is undercutting the price substantially? By telling your clients to just go buy off the internet, they are being placed into the position to quite possibly acquire this illegal or counterfeit products by buying what they think is a "great deal."

You made a commet about your perception of MS software being overpriced for system builders and then stated costs on an upgrade for Windows. There are no OEM Windows upgrades, just full licenses, so the example you gave has nothing at all to do with System Builder pricing.

re: OEM Microsoft software clarifications, plus, “If it’s labeled OEM, you should stay away from that,” Neil MacBride of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) about buying software online.

Andy — Sun, 25 Feb 2007 01:35:07 GMT

If a user obtained several pc's with XP pre loaded on it and now finds themselves failing the genuine advantage test, can they retrospectively purchase OEM XP for those pc's and then change the licence keys? OEM XP is cheaper than purchasing the kit that is offered when you fail the online test.

I'm not going to go into the "report the reseller" to bsa as that is not my call and anyway, that still doesn't resolve the issue of needing genuine xp licences.

They were looking at going down the OEM route as it's not possible to purchase open licences for XP anymore. Any help or even contact numbers within Microsoft to speak to someone who knows what they are talking about would be useful!

re: OEM Microsoft software clarifications, plus, “If it’s labeled OEM, you should stay away from that,” Neil MacBride of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) about buying software online.

Mike H — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 01:22:39 GMT

Never said or meant having customers purchasing the action pack. My first use of customers meant Microsoft customers - the partners. My second use referred to my customers purchasing subscription services.

My point is that subscription services (like the Action Pack, Enterprise Subscription Agreement, OneCare, etc) are dangerous because at the end of the period the subscription provider can change the nature of the game drastically. As seen with the Action Pack.

Receiving a phone call saying I have to renew ahead of time - today - as a price increase is imminent is bad business.

I will remove my action pack installs over the next month and switch over to new (off the partner program) licensing. I can't take the risk that Action Pack changes will leave me in worse position competitively next year when renewal time comes around again.

re: OEM Microsoft software clarifications, plus, “If it’s labeled OEM, you should stay away from that,” Neil MacBride of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) about buying software online.

Eric Ligman — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:45:05 GMT

@ Mike H:

Mike - The Action Pack is NOT a customer licensing program, it is a Microsoft Partner offering only. Any customer you sold Action Pack to would be running unlicensed software since they do not qualify for the program, so I really hope I am misreading your post above about your customers and Action Pack. As for your statement of, "I will recommend that my customers move to either full initial purchases," you should ALREADY be doing that. If you are advising them to purchase Action Pack, you are providing very bad advice to your clients and putting them at serious risk of running unlicensed software.

Next, I'm not sure what "different Microsoft licensing package" you are referring to above; however, I don't believe Microsoft has another Partner offering that provides more for less, so just make sure what you acquired is legitimate software from an authorized supplier. There are many out there selling counterfeit or illegal software claiming it is legitimate.

Finally, Action Pack is an optional program for our Microsoft Partners and each Partner has the right to choose to subscribe or not. If Action Pack is a fit for your organization as a Microsoft Partner, great. If you decide it is not the right fit, then you have every right to not renew your subscription. Just remember that once your subscription expires, you must uninstall all of the software you received and destroy all of the media as well.

- Eric

re: OEM Microsoft software clarifications, plus, “If it’s labeled OEM, you should stay away from that,” Neil MacBride of the BSA (Business Software Alliance) about buying software online.

Mike H — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 18:02:31 GMT

I recently received a phone call alerting me that Microsoft would be increasing the price of the Action Pack and that I should renew now for the $299 price.

A couple years ago the renewal price was for $199. Then we received full versions of the software in different bundle packages and OEM system builder copies. The action pack continues to deliver less for an increasing cost. This year I happen to be subscribed to a different Microsoft licensing package which covers me just fine. I don't think continuing this subscription would be wise. Until Microsoft stops trying to "trap" customers into these more restrictive licensing agreements with threats of BSA and loss of downgrade rights, I will recommend that my customers move to either full initial purchases or more affordable options outside of Microsoft. My business has been primarily Microsoft for 15 years up to this point.