Software Activation and Validation

Discussion in 'Software' started by jconstan, Feb 26, 2009.

  1. jconstan

    jconstan MajorGeek

    One of the posts in this topic got me thinking about activation etc.

    Suppose I purchase Office 2003 Professional, for example, and install it on my pc and activated it. Later on I decide that I do not want it any longer and deinstall it from my machine. At that point, I believe I have the right to sell it along with the product key and EULA.

    The thing I am wondering is what happens to the person I sold the software to when he tries to install it? He is probably going to have a problem when he activates it. Microsoft will not allow the software to be activated on two machines AND I don't believe the software ever gets de-activated when uninstalled. Or, is the fact that the new owner is holding the EULA giving him rights to the software?

    Does anyone understand the process?
     
    jconstan, Feb 26, 2009
    #1
  2. buggabear

    buggabear MajorGeek

    A short answer to your question .. NO. Once you activate this software it's licensed to you, and it cannot be changed.

    One machine only and what you do with that machine is up to you but that software is stuck and registered to that machine.
     
    buggabear, Feb 26, 2009
    #2
  3. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Hi

    From what I remember on this subject is so long as the EULA is a retail licence and can be sold on whereas OEM cannot as they are shipped with specific PCs, then so long as the software has been removed from the original PC the new user may just have to call the activation center when they goto activate as it may fail first time, but the activation center can deactivate the other PCs ID off the database linked to that software and reactivate it on the new PC so long as all components of the package are present as they do ask for various codes to authenticate as its similar to if you update alot of hardware on your PC and your asked to activate again.


    My scenario for this for real life experience is that I had Office 2003 on one PC and wanted to shift it from that PC to another as I was going to install Office 2007 on the main pc, so uninstalled and cleaned up PC, then istalled on new PC and went to activate it failed, so called the activation center up (number is normally listed if it fails) and told them what I had done and then asked a few questions and deactivated the old and activated the new.

    Not a lawyer as these things are in legalese, but below section is the one I would site, transfer to 3rd party is another end user.

    http://download.microsoft.com/docum...lish_09e8c911-9436-4e7d-aad8-15fbb34d8cb1.pdf
    http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/mpa.aspx
     
    DavidGP, Feb 26, 2009
    #3
  4. buggabear

    buggabear MajorGeek

    I had a totally different experience. I had it installed on my pc and the computer failed (flood damage destroyed the pc) I installed it a second pc and could not get MS to cooperate. Tried several different customer service numbers and email but they said once it was installed and activated that it could no longer be used on another pc.
    I guess I should have read Number 14 in that agreement, then I would have had a leg to stand on..
     
    buggabear, Feb 26, 2009
    #4
  5. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Think the support can be hit and miss Buggabear at times, something that does need rectifying at MSFT, I could ask for clarification on this issue of reselling but likely answer will be in a week or so's time as the folk I know are at conference next week.
     
    DavidGP, Feb 27, 2009
    #5
  6. jconstan

    jconstan MajorGeek

    An answer would be appreciated.
     
    jconstan, Feb 27, 2009
    #6
  7. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Ok I will fire off an email (done) and let you know in due course.
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2009
    DavidGP, Feb 27, 2009
    #7
  8. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    [Update] I was lucky in that one of my contacts is still in UK and in office, she asked the UK Office Product Team on this and I'm pretty much correct in that if you uninstall the whole package and also package up the CD/DVD, original case any documentation adn Licence code and the COA as the COA is on the box not disk so that you would need this to prove ownership, so in summary if you meet all that your fine to re-sell it.

    Hope this helps.
     
    DavidGP, Feb 27, 2009
    #8

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