windows xp home oem

[slundrm]

hello! we would like to sell laptops and need windows xp home.
Now I heard of the oem version.. and I would like to know if it is legal to buy this version?
We don´t want to spend more than 50 $ per software.
Can somebody help me?

[Esoterik]

Your question simply oozes with the need for clarifying information.

Are you building these laptops? Are they used laptops that you have refurbished? How many laptops are you talking about?



However, as to your direct question… “Is it legal to buy this version?” I do not believe there is any illegality in buying an OEM version of XP, however, you would certainly run aground if you were to try to distribute it with anything other then the “original equipment” it was licensed for. In other words, those individuals selling you the software certainly have some issues and you will as well if you resell it.



If you are buying legitimate OEM Software, it will come with its own Certificate of Authenticity. (If there is no Certificate of Authenticity, it is likely a bootleg and even if it isn’t you do not have its license key code). This Certificate of Authenticity will state clearly that it is to be distributed with a New PC Only and also state the Manufacturer of the PC who holds the license for distribution. Bare in mind, that because you possess a “legitimate” copy of the OS as well as its Certificate of Authenticity, does not mean that you have the right to sell or distribute it with anything other then the unit it was distributed with. (There are some grey area exceptions to this.)



For instance, lets take the example of you are selling a used or refurbished mainstream laptop. Bare in mind this is a grey area for many techs out there. Such a laptop will have a legitimate license for the OS it originally came with on its case. It is generally perceived that it is OK to lode the OEM OS that originally came with this unit, regardless of its source. However, you cannot give the buyer of the laptop a copy of this OEM disk. Weather or not this practice is technically legal; it is done everyday at just about any computer tech bench you care to name.



Now also… depending on the circumstances… lets say you are dealing with an older HP laptop. If it originally came with a Recovery CD/DVD set, and you do not have this set to include with the unit for resell, you may very well be able to order it from HP. Generally, these recovery CD/DVD sets are under $20, and also include a myriad of other soft wares that the laptop originally came with, such as Microsoft Works.



Now… if you are actually building laptops from scratch, or utilizing VAR laptop units, and you do not wish to purchase XP Home at full retail for them (for obvious profit concerns), and you want legal OS copies for your units, then you need to contract with Microsoft for your own OEM license to distribute their software with your units. You cannot use some one else’s license to do so.



This is by no means a comprehensive coverage of this subject. There is much more that could be said. I hope this little bit of info will be helpful to you. If you have other questions, feel free to email me.

Esoterik
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