Does anyone know what the deal is on installing software onto more than one computer?
I’m purchasing a laptop tomorrow, and would like to load my existing, licensed copy of MS Office XP Small Business Edition onto it. I purchased the software preloaded on with my desktop, and registered it like a good boy.
The End-user License Agreement says…
General License Grant to Install and Use. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this EULA, You may only install and use one copy of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT on the COMPUTER. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT may not be installed, accessed, displayed, run, shared or used concurrently on or from different computers, including a workstation, terminal or other digital or analog electronic device (“Device”), except as set forth below for Sharepoint Team Services.
I’m hung up on the word “concurrently”.
Can I legally load it onto both computers, bearing in mind that only one computer will be used at a time?
Thanks,
Dennis
Replies
No, as part of the license says 'installed' so you cannot have it installed on both computers at once.
Robert
Finally one where I can offer the expertise.
Simple..."may not be installed...on or from different computers"
Software developers and sales and marketing people in software companies, just like tradespeople and contractors, do NOT work for nothing. Buy another copy.
I hear you, but I look at software as just another set of tools. Would you expect me to buy a new saw/cement mixer/truck for every different job? How about 3 subscriptions to Fine Homebuilding, one for each current job?
My reason for asking is not JUST because I'm trying to save a few hundred dollars purchasing something that I already have (yea I know it's a license to use, not ownership), but because when I started out on my own, I decided to try and live "by the book", and part of that is not to pirate software. This situation just doesn't feel like piracy.
The Software folks sure don't make it easy!
Dennis
Don't think of it as a tool, think of it as an accessory to a tool. Do you use the same battery for all of your tools, or do you have multiple batteries, so one can charge while you keep working? Do you own and use only one flashlight, or do you keep one in truck, one in shop, one in toolbox? How many 1/4" drill bits do you have? How many saw blades? Why, when you could just have one and carry it everywhere with you? It's the same theory. Your cement mixer analogy is only a justification, there are dozens that can be made to counter it.If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
Buy from a company with better ethics. Much software licenses do specifically allow for just what you want to do.
They will allow multiple (or at least 2) installation if the two computers won't be used concurrently.
it is very much an ethical question, and you have to ask yourself if you are indeed by using this software more than once causing some pour software developer to miss a meal. if in fact the software guy is on salary and his situation won't change, but it is bill gates and the stockholders you are depriving of a few royalties that is a different situation. i have been told by people in the past "if you teach your kids thats its ok to lie to and steal from the man then you are in fact teaching them its ok to lie to and steal from you" but i tell the kids its up to them to make the decision. in my opinion if you steal from a major corporation that uses loopholes to legally steal from the public you have commited no crime. so just hope you get me on your jury when you are caught robbing bank of amerika
Agreed. Buy another copy. Especially with XP anything. It is my understanding that MS XP (Windows, Office, .Net dev tools) requires registration and activation. Without it, registering, you will get maybe ten uses before it will lock you out. I know this in place for XP OS and .Net dev tools, I assume XP Office would have it as well, since that's a huge $ maker. This is a new method for MS, meant to combat the people who have CD burners, and a friend who needs office too. Just copy the CD and give it to 'em, and tell them not to register it. Fairly common, even among the software developers I have worked with. Someone buys Office, and soon instead of one new user there are 5. MS is greedy, they want the money from all 5, and rightfully so. It's also meant to combat the larger scale piracy outfits, and this is likely the stated target if you ask MS.
There are two types of software licenses - computer based and user based. The EULA quoted is typical lanuage for computer based. It means that If you have it installed on desktop, then want it on laptop, you must delete it from the desktop first. The user based would allow what you want, and was typically used for specialized software when people wanted/needed to work from home. Company could pay $ for one user license, and Johnny can have it at work and on his home PC, rather than company paying $$ for two computer licenses.If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
I'm with the others - I think.
Seems you can't install it concurently on 2 computers........"except as set forth below for Sharepoint Team Services."
What are the exceptions they refer to? That might give you an out.
I've seen some license agreement that says you can install a copy on a home computer if you take work home with you.
Read the exceptions and see what they say.
Stupid people shop at Wal Mart, she shops at Wal Mart, therefore... [John Dobbin]
Dennis, you are commendable for approaching the situtation with integrity.
I'd have to side with those who say "it's your call." Technically, by the letter of copyright law, you are obligated to buy another copy to install on your laptop.
By the same token, Microsoft is technically, by the letter of the law, obligated not to engage in certain underhanded monopolistic business practices. But they certainly do, and have the lawyers busy around the clock keeping the Justice Department at bay so they can continue.
If your neighbor steals your tools, does that make it OK to steal his tools? Only you can decide what ethical standards you want to live by. If you buy another copy of XP, then you can say to Bill Gates that you're going to play by the rules, and by golly you expect him to play by the rules too. If you load your existing copy onto your laptop, then do you have any business judging him (or anybody else) for "cheating"?
Tough issue--funny how these trivial situations really end up as defining moments in one's life.
Edited 5/15/2003 2:46:49 PM ET by MONSIEUR_ED
ed if my neighbor steals my tools i dont steal them back i call him on it and try to explain why its wrong to do so. if he fails to understand i involve the legal system. if the legal system fails me i take whatever action neccesary to protect my livlihood. by complying with the system unquestionably are we not opening up the possibilities of another holocaust? that old turn the other cheek idea could get you some pretty sore cheeks with the bill gates'es, enrons, and haliburtons'es slappin you constantly. i also like to think i am a good guy who does the right thing so how about if you apply to microsoft for a discount. considering you already have everything but the license it would save them the production costs to just sell you another license. that way you give them the opportunity to do the right thing
Didn't mean to advocate "turning the other cheek" or stealing tools for that matter. Just suggesting that this is a complex issue and perhaps what it boils down to is living your own life according to the standards you would like to see the rest of the world live by, even if there are sleazebags out there.
Since you brought up the biblical reference, another way to think about this is the ol' golden rule of doing unto others as you would have them do unto you. Personally, I wouldn't lose any sleep over ripping Microsoft off because they've shown no compunction about ripping off other people, but at the same time I'd hardly be in a position to object to what Microsoft does if I'm busy pirating their software.
ya i get that two wrongs don't make a right, but three lefts do. i am merely advocating that if you as one person are using one software application on several different computers, but only one at a time then you are not in the spirit of the law violating any ethics even if microsoft says you cannot do this. i am a firm believer in the golden rule and aside from speeding i break no laws. i tell my kids that you should never lie because if you ever do lie to joe and jim finds out then jim will wonder whether or not you lie to him as well, but if you kids ever want to hear me lie just wait till i get pulled over and listen to what i say to the traffic cop. there always semms to be some exception to the rule, and varying shades of grey
Dennis,
You cannot legally install it on both computers unless you have a license for each computer.
That's the bad news.
The good news is that with some internet searching, you can find JUST the license for sale. For MUCH cheaper than buying the whole program. These usualy come from companies that have bought a huge number of licenses for installation on computers they will be selling. M$ forces them to buy more licenses than they need. They sell the licenses they will not use. You have the software already, buy just the license.
Forget all the ethical mumbo-jumbo. The law is the law, and that is what will count if you are caught. Buy the second license.
A good heart embiggins even the smallest person.
Quittin' Time
Just to add insult to injury, the computer comes preloaded with a top of crap that I don't want, but have to pay for anyway. This includes a competing word processor and spreadsheet!
Oh well, I guess I'll just bite the bullet and do it the right way. Thanks for all of your input guys.
Dennis
Don't worry, you aren't paying for that stuff. Much of it goes in there free or nearly so. The software mfg is hoping you'll register it and then buy future upgrades.
I'm a part owner of a software company, so I can sympathize with the software vendor.
That said, the entire purpose of a laptop is so that you can use software while you are away from the desktop.
I, personally, have no problems installing software twice on two machines if I (or anyone else) isn't planning on using them concurrently.
Legally, well, that's up to the license itself.
I personally believe that software should be licensed to the PERSON--NOT the machine. I'm very much against some newer software licenses that license the software to a SPECIFIC machine. I don't even have the freedom to reinstall it on a different machine if I decide to upgrade without first jumping through hoops and dealing with the vendor.
In an ideal world, IMHO, I'd be able to install my software on as many machines as I want and then I could just stick a dongle into whichever machine I happened to want to use at the given moment allowing it to unlock itself for use.