Microsoft offers charity-friendly license

the_syco

Originally posted by ZDNet.com
Microsoft has created a special software license for Windows 98 and Windows 2000 that allows charities and schools to use second-hand PCs without breaking the company's end-user license rules.
As pressure increases on businesses to recycle or refurbish their old PCs, a greater number of used systems are finding their way into the hands of charitable organizations and schools. The catch is that, because the computers were sold with corporate licenses, it is effectively illegal for the charities to make use of the computers without falling afoul of Microsoft's license agreement.

To address this issue, the company has launched the Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers program, which allows selected companies to install updated versions of either Windows 98 or Windows 2000 to used computers for a "nominal charge" to cover "materials and program operations."

Elena Bonfiglioli, Microsoft's corporate social responsibility and community affairs director, said in a statement that the program will extend the life of PCs and help increase access to technology. She said the refurbishers program will "maximize IT access in schools and community centers to support more education for all and minimize the environmental impact of redundant hardware."

Three years ago, Microsoft gave in to pressure after at first demanding that an Australian children's charity buy new licenses for donated computers. Eventually, the software giant offered to give the charity 150 packs of Windows 95 and 10 refurbished computers as a "gesture of goodwill."

Thought I'd mention this, as it makes it legal for local companies to give their old PC's to local schools. Beforehand, it wasn't allowed, due to insurance (or more likely, due to M$'s legal threat), but this should be a good thing.
The primary school I grew up in had the BBC computers, but now many schools in this country may benifit.

And what good is this to the empoyer, you ask? Well, for one, they'd have to pay a goot bit of cash to recycle the PC's, but if they gave them to the school's they'd save alot of money.

Capt'n Midnight

Spin... "we aren't going to charge you the full price, because in all probability you already have a valid license"

Most Brand name PC's here were sold with OEM copies of windows - there were several court cases over this that M$ lost - also check with DELL as to what % of dimensions they gave windows refunds on.
Chances are that well over 90% of brand name PC's came with a non-transferrable license. So IMHO it is very rich for M$ to ask for more money , esp when the PC in question has a net book value of € 0 (ie the company has written it off) - so even a "nominal fee" is still extortionate compared to the value of the PC.

Office is a different matter - it does not come as standard with most PC's www.openoffice.org

RobertFoster

I thought OEM just meant the software had to stay with that computer, no matter who was using it :dunno:

It's still bad show by Microsoft. They should let the whole subject drop, not charge charities/schools extra to use computers they were given.