I have a few O.E.M. (Original Equipment Manufacturer) products. I wouldn’t even own Microsoft Office ’97 if not for my best friend working for a software company where he could buy an OEM copy and give it to me for Christmas. And I recently bought Norton System Utilities from Webworm and am quite satisfied at getting the lowest possible price.

OEM products are sold without the packaging or the manual. That’s not a problem because if necessary I can buy a Quickstart Guide and the price is still far lower than I would have paid.

Here’s the thing: Is this legal?

I don’t really know enough about OEM products. Hadn’t given it much thought, really. But Alter Egos linked to CDCheap and I checked it out.

It says in the fine print and F.A.Q.s three things that worry me:
1) This all comes from Eastern Europe. — WARNING! Not the most heavily enforced copyright laws therein.
2) O.E.M. software is, quote, “recognized as a backup software..” — WARNING! Let’s face it, I’m not buying a backup for something I own.
3) Free airmail shipping — WARNING! They’re selling Microsoft Office XP Professional for $60, throwing in free airmail shipping and still making a profit?

I would dearly love to get Office XP for something less than $300, but I’m an honest guy. I don’t pay pirates knowingly, and I can’t just turn a blind eye as I support an illegal industry.

Is this legal? Let’s NEVER MIND – THIS LINK IS DEAD –discuss this in the Fuzzball Forum because I’d really like an answer.