Isn't selling OEM packages seperately as retail items illegal?

Well, this company claims the title is NOT an OEM version, but rather a Genuine Retail CD w/key.

According to the seller, the words "not for retail" is imprinted on the CD. I dunno. I have purchased many MS products from this company, including around 13 or 14 copies od the Windows OS. All of them work, and have never had an issue with activation/validating.

Sounds like Greyware.  That is stuff shipped over seas, but then brought back.  It was not intended to be sold here, but is technically not illegal to do so.  That is how I got my original HP 4 Laser printer.

Well I know the copies will work (anOEM key is still valid) and that this sort of thing is done routinely in Asia (illegally) but OEM packages are the ones printed with "Not for Retail" on them and I am pretty sure that they are not being legally distro'd. Maybe I am wrong, but I am pretty sure that this is why they are selling them for so little.

Sounds like Greyware. That is stuff shipped over seas, but then brought back. It was not intended to be sold here, but is technically not illegal to do so. That is how I got my original HP 4 Laser printer.

 

hmm I hadn't head that term used before but it rings pretty true. I still wonder about the actual legality of it. Really would need to hear from a copyright lawyer on this I suppose.

People just scam you so they can make money, it happens everywhere even in the United States and the United Kingdom.

People just scam you so they can make money

 

I don't think advertising a product for a price and then delivering it to the customer at that price can be considered "scamming you for money". It may be scamming MS for liscences but they aren't shafting any customers.

When I purchased my OEM version of XP home some time back here in Oz, the store owner explained the 'not for retail' applied to it being sold separately/on it's own. However, because I was purchasing the required hardware on which to install the OS, it was perfectly legal to sell me the OEM version....in other words, OEM's are intended for sale to PC manufacturers, be they professional or home builders.

It may be scamming MS for liscences but they aren't shafting any customers.

I really don't think they are scamming MS. They claim to be a Microsoft Partner, but you never can tell these days.

However, because I was purchasing the required hardware on which to install the OS, it was perfectly legal to sell me the OEM version....in other words, OEM's are intended for sale to PC manufacturers, be they professional or home builders.

Thats the way I understand it as well Starkers. Thus, often times a screw or other such nonsence is packaged with the CD; to meet the "hardware" requirement.

These CDs do not come with an OEM activation key, they do not say that they belong to any OEM group, they look like any retail cd with the exception of the "not intended for retail sales" and the CD Key is stck on the CD envelpoe (like it used to be in the old days).

If it's not intended for resale . . why is it being sold?

If it's not intended for resale . . why is it being sold?

I gave that some thought as well Zubaz. Perhaps the SoftwareOutlet.com is not a retail seller, but a wholesale seller. I really cant say. But as I did say, I've never had an issue with MS over activation more than a dozen or so copies of Windows from these folks.