Well I read it that way, and that was how it was explained in the MSDN Event I attended this week. It was verbalized as it can exist on ANY machine but ONLY on ONE machine at a time.



>>No, as long as it is uninstalled, it can be reinstalled on another device. It can only reside on one device at a time though. I don't see how you can interpret it to mean that it would be the end of line for you if your hardware failed...
>
>I see. So you're reading this as you may do that as often as you like.
>I was reading it literally... allowed to do it once.
>
>I like your interpretation - as long as Microsoft's lawyers do too. < s >
>
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>>>>The VISTA license has been changed:
>>>>
>>>>http://download.microsoft.com/documents/useterms/Windows%20Vista_Home%20Basic_English_2cd69850-7680-4987-8b1e-59a3d405c074.pdf
>>>>
>>>>15. REASSIGN TO ANOTHER DEVICE.
>>>>a. Software Other than Windows Anytime Upgrade. You may uninstall the software and
>>>>install it on another device for your use. You may not do so to share this license between
>>>>devices.
>>>>
>>>>(This was actually discussed at the MSDN Vista event I attended)
>>>
>>>So it does look like it is restricted to a SINGLE other system. Last I heard "another" means 'one other', not 'lots of other'.
>>>
>>>So my recent troubles with my other system, where I replaced the motherboard to get it working, would be "another device" under the Vista license. At least that's how it reads to me. And that would be the end-of-the-line for that license that I bought!!! My next failure would also require a new license.
>>>
>>>And I think WilliamK is wrong in his interpretation of "OEM" being for that system and only that system. I had to re-install XP with the new motherboard (the shop had installed their own on my C: while diagnosing my problems (with my permission)) and I had no trouble "activating" it after doing so.
>>>
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>>>By the same token, I suspect many 'techs' couldn't care less and wouldn't worry about such provisions.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>My understanding is that there is an OEM version and a non-OEM(can't think of the name off the top of my head) version.
>>>>>
>>>>>This has been the case for a long time re: OEM editions of MS software. Whether they have changed license terminology recently I do not know, but OEM software is licensed to be used on the original system it is installed on (period). That is why it costs around 50% of full license version. If there is a provision that says that OEM can be used on a successor system or something like that, that is an improvement in the terms AFAIK.
>>>>>
>>>>>If Microsoft is expected to maintain software as entitlement style programs (keep patching/stocking/supporting/maintaining on the books forever) as has been suggested, then they need to change their licensing to more of a rental or tax agreement where the customer pays continuously for use.