Fwd: [NZLUG] Windows rebate?
Apologies for cross-posting, but this will be of interest to this group as well. Cheers, Peter ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Atom Smasher <atom(a)smasher.org> Date: Fri, Aug 23, 2019 at 10:49 AM Subject: Re: [NZLUG] Windows rebate? To: NZ Linux Users Group <nzlug(a)lists.nzoss.org.nz> I was hoping this battle had already been fought, but apparently not. After some phone calls, it seems the best course of action now is to contact The Commerce Commission of New Zealand and file a complaint pursuant to the Fair Trading Act. They don't handle these complaints individually, but they will consider them in aggregate. So the more people complain, the more likely that it will be taken seriously. * 0800 943 600 * contact(a)comcom.govt.nz * https://comcom.govt.nz/make-a-complaint Relevant points seem to be that Microsoft has effectively created a monopoly whereby purchasers of new computers are forced to purchase a copy of, and non-transferable license for, their Windows operating system (approx retail price of OEM Windows 10 is $160). Building ones own computer from parts, or purchasing a computer from specialty retailers may be an option in some cases, but this severely limits consumer choices and they're not viable options for a lot of people. While it may not be practical to "force" retailers to stock Windows-free PC hardware, there should be a standard process for obtaining a fair refund for unused and unwanted Windows operating system licenses. -- ...atom ________________________ http://atom.smasher.org/ 762A 3B98 A3C3 96C9 C6B7 582A B88D 52E4 D9F5 7808 ------------------------------------------------- "Sometimes I think we're alone in the universe, and sometimes I think we're not. In either case the idea is quite staggering." -- Arthur C. Clarke _______________________________________________ NZLUG mailing list NZLUG(a)lists.nzoss.org.nz http://lists.nzoss.org.nz/mailman/listinfo/nzlug -- Peter Reutemann Dept. of Computer Science University of Waikato, NZ +64 (7) 858-5174 http://www.cms.waikato.ac.nz/~fracpete/ http://www.data-mining.co.nz/
On Fri, 23 Aug 2019 10:53:39 +1200, Peter Reutemann forwarded:
Relevant points seem to be that Microsoft has effectively created a monopoly whereby purchasers of new computers are forced to purchase a copy of, and non-transferable license for, their Windows operating system (approx retail price of OEM Windows 10 is $160).
Does that take into account the price of the crapware? PC vendors get payments from various outfits to include extra demos and “free trials” and other rubbish preinstalled on their machines, and this helps to offset the cost of the Windows OEM licence. A few years ago Sony offered the option of a crapware-free install on some of their laptops, for an extra $50 charge. Seems like the outcome of such demands for refunds has been a bit mixed <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundling_of_Microsoft_Windows>.
It's been over 60 years since I last read a Microsoft End-User License Agreement (EULA) and its likely to be at least another 60 years before I have the need to read another one, but I recollect hearing something along these lines... "When you buy a new computer that includes Microsoft Windows then you can later sell the computer hardware on the second-hand market but not the Microsoft Windows that it came with". i.e. A Windows OS licence is not a resaleable product. Any idea if this is true? Just curious, Ian.
On Fri, 23 Aug 2019 05:08:24 +0000, Ian Stewart wrote:
"When you buy a new computer that includes Microsoft Windows then you can later sell the computer hardware on the second-hand market but not the Microsoft Windows that it came with".
i.e. A Windows OS licence is not a resaleable product.
Any idea if this is true?
Last I recall, looking at the EULA, a Windows OEM licence is tied to a particular hardware unit. It can be transferred along with that unit, but not resold separately. Windows retail licences, on the other hand, are sold separately. And cost more. You should be able to check details here <https://www.microsoft.com/en-nz/useterms>.
It can be transferred along with that unit, but not resold separately.
OK. Thanks Lawrence. My curiosity was raised by a Community Centre receiving second-hand PC's that were initially purchased with Windows 7 installed about 5 years ago. They have now passed through the hands of a "refurbisher company" and we received them with Windows 10 installed and I recollect they come with a "Win 10 refurbisher" licence and a "Win10 product key" sticker. cheers, Ian.
And an extra licence fee to Microsoft?
Yes, and it seems to be confidential between the refurbisher company and Microsoft as to how much they had to pay Microsoft for each extra licence fee. I guess its too bad that Win10 takes so much time to keep up-to-date and maintain such that its unfeasible for use at charitable organisations that are reliant on volunteer IT labour. One reason I wipe the Win10 and install Ubuntu is to ensure that I'm reducing the amount of time needed to be spent with the on-going maintenance. ...So paying the extra licence fee ends up as a waste of money.
participants (3)
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Ian Stewart -
Lawrence D'Oliveiro -
Peter Reutemann