Windows Vista Business Licencing Question

[kevin11951]

This is a linux forums, so this is very out of place, but whatever...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116475

That is the OEM version, can we use that for our business, or do we have to buy the retail version?

[yther]

Use of this OEM System Builder Channel software is subject to the terms of the Microsoft OEM System Builder License. This software is intended for pre-installation on a new personal computer for resale. This OEM System Builder Channel software requires the assembler to provide end user support for the Windows software and cannot be transferred to another computer once it is installed. To acquire Windows software with support provided by Microsoft please see our full package "Retail" product offerings.

As you can see from the part I underlined, that license is intended for resellers. You'd have to go and read through the actual license to be sure, but according to this page (http://oem.microsoft.com/public/seo/licensing.htm) it looks like you're supposed to enroll in some kind of partner program with MS to be allowed to use it.

Also, note that the product, once activated, will be "locked" to the hardware it was installed on. You are not, according to MS, allowed to then install it on something else later—in other words, the license isn't portable like the full retail version would be.

Caveat emptor. ;)

[PilotJLR]

You can certainly buy OEM; that is legal. OEM lives and dies on the box on which it is installed, so one install and that's all you got.