Microsoft SA is said to be keeping its eyes on how resellers are selling software to end-users under the Authorised OEM Distributor Product (DSP) after discovering licensing infringements.
Mark Reynolds, in charge of Microsoft SA`s anti-piracy and legalisation drive, said: "It has come to our attention that some computer resellers are abusing Microsoft SA`s new Authorised OEM Distributor Product (DSP) agreement by selling the Office suite separately (instead of pre-installed on the computer), which contradicts the licensing agreement.
"Under this licensing agreement, the Office Suite must be sold with fully assembled PCs. Resellers should really know this - they have no excuse for this licensing non-compliance. Fundamentally, purchasing through OEM or DSP means that the licence `lives and dies` with the machine."
Reynolds said one of the primary goals of his division is to keep the reseller channel clean so that opportunists or out-right software pirates "don`t spoil business for legitimate resellers".
"In addition, we need to ensure that end-users are using software that is properly licensed. It is in their own interests. End-users should also remember that buying on price is not always the best route to go. Very often this leads to the purchasing of software that is not appropriate for their business requirements. They should also be suspicious if a deal sounds too good to be true. Because often this can mean that they may be buying unlicensed software."
Customers or resellers with questions about the legitimacy of Microsoft products should contact the Microsoft toll-free line at 0860 2255 67, or visit the company`s Web site at http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/piracy/howtotell.
Customers and resellers can also obtain information about software piracy by calling the Business Software Alliance`s (BSA) anti-piracy hot line at 0800-110-447, or visit the BSA`s current truth campaign Web site at www.bsa.co.za/truth, or send e-mail to info.bsa.org.
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