Windows 7 distribution

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tco21

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Sorry, this has been asked before but I can't find the thread.

Is it legal to distribute Windows 7 (the free beta version that is out) with newly built pc's?
 
Don't see why it wouldn't be legal. Anybody is allowed to download and test Win7 Beta or RC. I just don't see it being practical since all the copies are time-bombed and you'd have to reformat the PCs before 1 March 2010.
 
tco21 said:
Sorry, this has been asked before but I can't find the thread.

Is it legal to distribute Windows 7 (the free beta version that is out) with newly built pc's?
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Well legally you have to provide a new computer with an Operating System. There shouldn't be any legal issue with distributing it with Windows 7 and it might just be a good piece of publicity for the upcoming Windows 7 RTM.
 
froot said:
Well legally you have to provide a new computer with an Operating System. There shouldn't be any legal issue with distributing it with Windows 7 and it might just be a good piece of publicity for the upcoming Windows 7 RTM.
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Why would you legally have to provide a new computer with an OS? There is definitely NO legal requirement for this. You could install any OS/software that the customer requests, so long as the software is legal (Windows 7 in this case is legal, so it would be fine.).
 
as long as you at least state the obvious that
a) beta
b) time bombed
c) might not work with everything they allready have prior to getting the new pc
e) no support

well, that imho anyways.
 
Last edited:
Conradl said:
Why would you legally have to provide a new computer with an OS? There is definitely NO legal requirement for this. You could install any OS/software that the customer requests, so long as the software is legal (Windows 7 in this case is legal, so it would be fine.).
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At one stage this was to force sales of legal Windows.... but this might have collapsed after Linux started becoming more popular.
 
Is anyone really sure that MS say it is legal to distribute a beta OS commercially? That doesn't sound too likely to me, the terms of use probably say it is for personal use only. I'd think there is some legal problem with that.

You can of course just give the beta to someone with the PC, but probably can't advertise it etc.
 
froot said:
Well legally you have to provide a new computer with an Operating System.
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Bullsh1t.

what is a computer ?

do they have to give an OS to me if I buy the whole case but no screen?

what about If I purchase everything but a Hard Drive ?
 
froot said:
At one stage this was to force sales of legal Windows.... but this might have collapsed after Linux started becoming more popular.
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It wasn't an issue of legality, it was an issue of contracts that large PC manufacturers signed with Microsoft. In terms of their contracts (to get better Microsoft pricing), they were obliged to install Windows on all PCs they sold.
 
Necuno said:
as long as you at least state the obvious that
a) beta
b) time bombed
c) might not work with everything they allready have prior to getting the new pc

well, that imho anyways.
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+ no support

And under the new retail laws you would be wide open to being sued if any software didn't work ...
 
well if he doesnt sell it with the pc (aka making money off the beta) it still is legal i would say.
 
I still don't see why it would be illegal?? Your client can request, and you can offer, to install any software that is legal....
 
Conradl said:
I still don't see why it would be illegal?? Your client can request, and you can offer, to install any software that is legal....
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Sure, but the question is nothing like that. It's to distribute the beta with new PC's. I.e it's probably adding value to your PC, in SA at least.
 
If you push the price of the PC's you're selling up because it has Windows 7, apparently that's against the Microsoft EULA of Beta software. You would have to price the PC the same if it had no operating system to what it would be with Windows 7 Beta/RC1
 
stroebs said:
If you push the price of the PC's you're selling up because it has Windows 7, apparently that's against the Microsoft EULA of Beta software. You would have to price the PC the same if it had no operating system to what it would be with Windows 7 Beta/RC1
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Well there isn't really a way of knowing that for sure, but I just don't think you would be allowed to distribute beta software preinstalled at all. Giving someone a disc is fine, but not distributing I'm sure.
 
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