Re: OT-MS Office

"chris abby" <chrisabby@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:wZBvf.93006$vl2.80078@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Am buying a laptop and already have MS Office 2003 that came with my
> PC, do I have to pay extra to get Office again or can install it
> using the CD I already have - are there registration issues or
> summat??
>
> TIA

Legal answer: it depends.

If you have the full retail version, you will note that the EULA allows you
to install a second copy on a portable device for your exclusive use.

But, if you have the OEM version, there is no such provision in the EULA.

You can read all about it here, in Microsoft's own words:
(from http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/activation_faq.mspx)

<quote>
Activation and Product Licensing Policies
How many installations can be made with one product license? Has this
changed with the introduction of Product Activation?
The underlying principles of Microsoft's software licenses have not changed.
Microsoft's End User License Agreements (EULAs) have always stipulated the
number of PCs that software can be installed on. Product Activation does not
change that. Office XP or Office 2003 may be installed on one PC. The
primary user of Office may also install one copy on a laptop computer for
their exclusive use. To install Office XP or Office 2003 on more than these
two devices, another license of the product must be acquired. Licenses for
Office XP or Office 2003 acquired preinstalled on a new PC are single-PC
licenses that cannot be transferred or installed a second time on another PC
or laptop computer. Windows XP may be installed on one PC. There are no
secondary use rights (e.g. no "laptop clause") in the Windows XP EULA. The
aforementioned licensing terms have not been changed due to Product
Activation. Some special licensing programs (such as the Microsoft Developer
Network) provide additional licensing terms. Please check your specific
license agreement or EULA for specifics. Re-installation and re-activation
on the same PC can be done an unlimited number of times.
</quote>

Of course, in the UK at least, there is the thorny issue of how legally
binding certain provisions within the EULA are, but I'll leave that for
another time...

HTH

Regards

S.P.



.

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