You may have noticed that there are a lot of software vendors that are selling OEM’s at very low prices. This is good for computer users but is the OEM (operating equipment manufacturers) versions actually legal? Well yes and no is the answer to that. Let me explain this answer:
To clarify that answer I have to state that technically you should only be able to get OEM software with its own specified accompanying hardware. So if you look at it that way then any separately sold OEM software is violating the license. Unless it states on the license that it is free to be copied and distributed. If it does not state this on the license then obviously it is illegal.
The manufacturers have not taken any legal action against any vendors selling the OEM’s. This is most likely reason why they are still freely available on the internet.
But by buying counterfeit or copied OEM software you are not entitled as such to receive any upgrades, patches or even technical support. So it is worth weighing up these things before deciding to purchase them.
If however the distributor has bought the OEM as bulk and it is licensed for bundling then you can still buy legal OEM software. You can also buy reproduced legal OEM software from the hardware manufacturers or there distributors. If they are legal you should get the accompanying user manual as well as being entitled to technical support and they should be in their original packaging.
If you are unsure about whether the OEM that you are thinking of buying is legal or not, you could join one of the many OEM forums. See if anybody else has bought the same OEM and find out what their response is. These are great places to find out any consumer advice when it comes to things such as discounted OEM’s.
Failing that you could join an OEM assistance site to check the validity of the OEM software. There is no harm in asking if you are not sure.
The writer additionally regularly writes on things such as truck battery and car batteries prices.