[ale] Finding desktops, laptops and hardware in Atlanat

[Jeff Hubbs]

>EULA for retail version of XP, from M$ website:
>
>13. SOFTWARE TRANSFER. Internal. You may move the Software to a 
>different Workstation Computer. After the transfer, you must completely 
>remove the Software from the former Workstation Computer. Transfer to 
>Third Party. The initial user of the Software may make a one-time 
>permanent transfer of this EULA and Software to another end user, 
>provided the initial user retains no copies of the Software. This 
>transfer must include all of the Software (including all component 
>parts, the media and printed materials, any upgrades, this EULA, and, if 
>applicable, the Certificate of Authenticity). The transfer may not be an 
>indirect transfer, such as a consignment. Prior to the transfer, the end 
>user receiving the Software must agree to all the EULA terms.
>
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eula.mspx
>
>Can't seem to locate a version of the OEM EULA right now...
>
>  
>
The way I read this, If you sell a computer with this OS that you bought 
for it to Micro Seconds (and you have to provide all the disks and 
printed materials), the transfer clock doesn't tick until Micro Seconds 
sells it (assuming that Micro Seconds is not an "end user" as defined in 
the EULA).  Micro Seconds has to sell it with the disks and printed 
materials.  From that point on, the license goes with the new buyer but 
dies with him too; no more transfers are authorized under the EULA.

The problem with this in practice is that when Micro Seconds, Goodwill, 
etc., accepts a computer, how do they know if the license is still in 
force?  They can't - unless MS has some sort of phone-home database that 
keeps track of all licenses and license holders.