Hi all.
I know that the Family pack is 3 licences but I have a question.
I would buy a Family Pack for me, for my dad and sell the third for a small price.
I live in my appartment, my dad in his.
Is it OK, or I need to buy 2 separated full versions?
Thx
Buying three licenses is definitely better and cheaper then 2, only if you're given the same serial for three PCs THEN DON'T BUY IT, if the person buying this one key he may publish it on some website and many users will use it illegally, which will lead to banning this key. You will have to go through big legal crap to prove ownership.
However if they gave you each key separately, then you MUST BUY IT, as the third you will just give it away, and it will be their responsibility if they shared it.
The way I understand is, they have to be all at the same address, meaning they would all be using the same internet connection and therefore the same mac address.
So while selling the third is not an option, it's still cheaper then buying two individual copies. Besides you may have use for it later.
Hi Jonmor,
I am quite sure it will not be linked to an address, an IP nor Mac address.
This is why:
1. If one of the family members installs it on a laptop, it will be at different addresses.
2. Some homes have two internet connections. ADLS and Cable.
Or one consumer and one business connection.
3. Some ISP's give random instead of fixed IP's for their subscribers.
The IP changes every time the lease time ends.
4. Some people use proxy's.
5. If people move to another home, and get another ISP, their computers wouldn't work anymore? nah
6. When you buy a new router? nah
I think the pack will have one serial that you can activate on three computers.
Where the computers are physically won't matter.
So it is possible to buy it with two friends and share the cost.
But as stated a few posts back, that might not be such a smart idea.
If one of those friends compromises the key by putting it on the net, your activation would be blocked by MS too.
Greetz.
Correction
Just because they are all in the same network does NOT mean they have the same mac address.
Each Nic has its own MAC address.
so therefor your cable modem has a mac, your router has a mac, and each NIC your computer has, has its own mac address.
And about the part of them all having to be on the same network, what if it is on a laptop? they tend to move from network to network that make very little sense.
When i bought my XP it gave 3 activations. after that you had to call and plea with MS to give you a phone activation key.
On the other hand I believe the family pack only has one COA. Since thats how they have been in the past.
If you do chose to sell the third one and it does get published regardless of If you prove ownership MS is cracking down on that kind of stuff they may not reactivate you license. (http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/)
Yes it would be a legit copy of Win7 but it violates the terms and conditions.
(from vistas Terms)
12. NOT FOR RESALE SOFTWARE. You may not sell software marked as “NFR” or “Not for Resale.”
Source : http://download.microsoft.com/docume...9cf5105718.pdf
I down want you to be Shi... Creek without a paddle.
McKillWasHere
You'd probably have to see the licensing when the family packs actually come out.
I'd expect you wouldn't have issue with you and your dad splitting things, which would still be a good deal.
I wouldn't look to sell the third key though. And I'm frankly not sure if they provide 3 separate keys or if they simply allow extra activations on one.
If it's 3 separate keys and you sell one and the person screws around and gets into trouble, it's likely going to get tied back to you at the bare minimum. And if it's one key with extra activations you don't want someone else screwing up the activations you need for yourselves. You also never know when you're going to have issue getting reactivated when you change hard drives or buy a new computer or something, and it wouldn't be bad to hang onto the 3rd activation, or still keep it within the family at worst.
So, if I understand well, I can give it to anyone I know as long as I don't resell anything.
But, I can make someone participate in the payment of the licences.
EDIT
The 3rd person I'm planning to give the key to is NOT going to share it. It'll probably be my best friend.
That much is up to you. I wouldn't see a problem with it. But small hint image your HD after you install. That way if something does crash you just restore the activated copy XD.
You'll have to check the licensing when it comes out.
But however the 3 activations work, it's doubtful MS can readily know/control how closely genetically related the users are and if they're under the same roof.
If they simply allow extra activations on one key, I'd still be careful giving an "activation" to a friend. All it takes is them changing a hard drive and reactivating or something comparable and they can readily start interfering in your own use without intending to.
But until it actually releases and people see what the license says and how the key(s) work(s), no one knows for sure.
I believe they're already changing the upgrade disc procedure this time so that you can no longer just insert a prior OS disc for them, nor can you do the "trick" of upgrading them on top of themselves -- they have to see an installed, activated prior copy. And if they're changing stuff like that, it wouldn't be surprising for them to change how "family packs" work too.
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