Selling/Bundling Pirated Software

[redhat]

Does anyone else out here refurbish computers they bought or build systems for sale? Does anyone else have a real tough time selling your systems due to somewhat unfair competition?

I've been trying to sell a few computers for the past few weeks. These systems are custom builds and the hardware dates to 2010-up. I usually offer a Linux distribution on these computers as I do not pirate software. They're reasonably priced and in the range of others, but I think many have an unfair advantage.

On Craigslist/eBay/Facebook 'For Sale in XXX Area Code' Group -- I see it all the time. For example, say some guy has a Core 2 Duo era HP laptop that we all know (and can see the badge below the keyboard) shipped with Vista Home Premium but is selling it with RAM to the max and Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit for $150.

Or someone is selling a nice gaming rig for a little above hardware cost -- comes with Windows 8 Professional and the whole Adobe CS suite.

There's no way, at these costs, that is genuine software. That'll probably sell, but they're blatantly pirating software.

I wouldn't want to be the whistle blower, but it's very frustrating when you're trying to do the right thing. Maybe I should setup another e-mail address and inquire about these computers and question up and down about the legitimacy of the software -- not be rude, but inquire as if I was a very interested customer and wanting to look out for my self.

Just annoying.

 

[rjundi]

Maybe a recycled license. Many folks throw away perfectly legit licenses....I found the Win7 my prior workstation runs in the trash at dump...I took a digital picture and used license it works now for at least 4 years.

 

[Bryankkkk]

Yea I see it all the time. I used to do it to be honest with you. My buddy works at a scrap yard and saves me all the windows 7 COAs and I tape em on the side of the case so its semi legit, better then installing pirated windows 7. I usually install office starter 2010 which is free.kinda lol. But dont even bother with photoshop or any of that.

I get a kick out of these 50 dollar computers with windows 7 ultimate hahaaa.

 

[BubbaFL]

Very annoying - tough to be a legitimate dealer when the other guy is selling stolen goods.

You can't compete on price with someone who has a "zero" cost of goods sold...

 

[BubbaFL]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Maybe a recycled license. Many folks throw away perfectly legit licenses....I found the Win7 my prior workstation runs in the trash at dump...I took a digital picture and used license it works now for at least 4 years.


Legally that's the same as pirating, if it was an OEM version of Windows (most likely the case).

Microsoft OEM operating system licenses are irrevocably "bound" to the hardware when they are installed by a system builder. The license cannot be transferred to a new computer.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: BubbaFL
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Maybe a recycled license. Many folks throw away perfectly legit licenses....I found the Win7 my prior workstation runs in the trash at dump...I took a digital picture and used license it works now for at least 4 years.


Legally that's the same as pirating, if it was an OEM version of Windows (most likely the case).

Microsoft OEM operating system licenses are irrevocably "bound" to the hardware when they are installed by a system builder. The license cannot be transferred to a new computer.



Ignorance is bliss! Interestingly I had trouble with HDD failure, reinstall and called Microsoft who basically enabled the license.

 

[SrDriver]

There are monetary awards from software companies for blowing the whistle on this sort of thing.

A quick Google search will give you the info on reporting the pirating of software.

Many companies offer some type of monetary benefit for reporting it.

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted By: BubbaFL
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Maybe a recycled license. Many folks throw away perfectly legit licenses....I found the Win7 my prior workstation runs in the trash at dump...I took a digital picture and used license it works now for at least 4 years.


Legally that's the same as pirating, if it was an OEM version of Windows (most likely the case).

Microsoft OEM operating system licenses are irrevocably "bound" to the hardware when they are installed by a system builder. The license cannot be transferred to a new computer.



Yes, 100% correct. I believe you can, in some instances, get away with it if you're reusing the OE motherboard and/or hard drive, but I'm not positive and could very well be wrong.

I'm not trying to point and waive a finger at any of you on here... just my $.02.

 

[redhat]

Originally Posted By: BubbaFL
Very annoying - tough to be a legitimate dealer when the other guy is selling stolen goods.

You can't compete on price with someone who has a "zero" cost of goods sold...



I couldn't agree more.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: BubbaFL
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Maybe a recycled license. Many folks throw away perfectly legit licenses....I found the Win7 my prior workstation runs in the trash at dump...I took a digital picture and used license it works now for at least 4 years.


Legally that's the same as pirating, if it was an OEM version of Windows (most likely the case).

Microsoft OEM operating system licenses are irrevocably "bound" to the hardware when they are installed by a system builder. The license cannot be transferred to a new computer.



You could say you upgraded the heck out of that computer! And saved the monitor, keyboard, desk, ethernet cord...

 

[spackard]

MS's model seems to be changing to yearly software rental anyway, on the low end. $199 lappys.

 

[HerrStig]

Originally Posted By: rjundi
Originally Posted By: BubbaFL
Originally Posted By: rjundi
Maybe a recycled license. Many folks throw away perfectly legit licenses....I found the Win7 my prior workstation runs in the trash at dump...I took a digital picture and used license it works now for at least 4 years.


Legally that's the same as pirating, if it was an OEM version of Windows (most likely the case).

Microsoft OEM operating system licenses are irrevocably "bound" to the hardware when they are installed by a system builder. The license cannot be transferred to a new computer.



Ignorance is bliss! Interestingly I had trouble with HDD failure, reinstall and called Microsoft who basically enabled the license.
I lost a motherboard, they did the same for me.

 

[BubbaFL]

Originally Posted By: redhat
I believe you can, in some instances, get away with it if you're reusing the OE motherboard and/or hard drive


Hardware upgrades on a system with an OEM license are perfectly fine.

The license is attached to "the system" and not one particular component. You can replace a heck of a lot of parts (including the case) and still have the original "system" for licensing purposes.

Microsoft has deliberately left a grey area here to make things friendly for system builders and enthusiasts, while preventing large-scale collection and resale of licenses from scrapped machines.

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: BubbaFL
Originally Posted By: redhat
I believe you can, in some instances, get away with it if you're reusing the OE motherboard and/or hard drive


Hardware upgrades on a system with an OEM license are perfectly fine.

The license is attached to "the system" and not one particular component. You can replace a heck of a lot of parts (including the case) and still have the original "system" for licensing purposes.

Microsoft has deliberately left a grey area here to make things friendly for system builders and enthusiasts, while preventing large-scale collection and resale of licenses from scrapped machines.


Yes a desktop just morphed into my T500 laptop.