[Am-info] Windows reusability

[John Poltorak]

On Tue, Mar 05, 2002 at 03:21:07PM -0500, Geoffrey wrote:
> Some interesting things about the EULA.  Just started an install of 
> windows 95 from an OEM cdrom to check it out.  The things I do for this 
> list...  Anyway,  I've never paid that much attention to it, but the 
> first line of the EULA says:
> 
> "This End-User License Agreement ("EULA") is a legal agreement between 
> you (either an individual or a single entity) and the manufacture ("PC 
> Manufacture") of the computer system ("COMPUTER") with which you 
> acquired the Microsoft software product(s) identified above ("SOFTWARE 
> PRODUCT" or "SOFTWARE").  If the SOFTWARE PRODUCT is not accompanied by 
> a new computer system, you may not use or copy the SOFTWARE PRODUCT."
> 
> Two things there.  First, it states it's agreement with the computer 
> manufacturer, not Microsoft.  That is news to me.  Second, you clearly 
> can not install it on a computer other then the one it came with.

IMV this EULA is about as legal as an $11 bill.

For a start there are no named parties involved, and Microsoft is not even 
a party to this so-called agreement. And since no one has signed anything 
where is there any proof of an agreement.

As a legal document it is a water tight as a collander. It is absolutely 
absurd that anyone would take any notice of it.

Incidentally, I contacted Walmart to see if it was OK to use an old 
surplus copy of Windows 95 on one their naked PCs and they said it would 
be fine. That's good enough for me. Microsoft can stick their EULA up the 
collective rears. If I wanted to put Windows on one of these PC's, I would 
and there is absolutely nothing they can do about it.

Of course, I'm too sensible to bother with Windows in the first place...

> 
> -- 
> Until later: Geoffrey		esoteric@3times25.net
> 
> I didn't have to buy my radio from a specific company to listen
> to FM, why doesn't that apply to the Internet (anymore...)?

-- 
John