Russian retailers have begun selling versions of Windows that are officially intended only for those who professionally assemble PCs.
As Izvestia found out, when purchasing such a key, buyers are not asked for documents about whether they are authorized computer assembly specialists. According to lawyers, this is a gross violation of the license agreement, and the experts interviewed add that such a version of the operating system is "tied" to the components of the device and it will not be possible to transfer it to a new device in the future. In addition, some stores sell English-language versions of the software, and it is impossible to change the language of such Windows.
Several Russian retailers chile cell phone number list have started selling OEM (original equipment manufacturer) versions of Windows. Officially, they are intended only for those who assemble computers. Izvestia found such software in DNS, Citylink, Yandex Market, and WildBerries.
— Purchasing such licenses, if the user is not a PC assembler, formally violates the permitted limits of use and, in fact, does not give the right to install Windows or any other Microsoft product, since using software based on such a license carries the risk of being charged under Article 146 of the Criminal Code ("Violation of copyright and related rights." — Izvestia), — said Kirill Lyakhmanov, chief legal adviser of the intellectual property practice at the EBR law firm.
Izvestia sent a request to Microsoft.
The DNS store assured the Izvestia correspondent by phone that they do not ask customers for any additional information when selling software. The same answer was given by Citylink technical support. On WildBerries and Yandex Market, the operating system can also be added to the cart and paid for without any confirmation.
— Such software has a mark in the product name: OEM or OEI (Original Equipment Installer — a version of Windows intended exclusively for pre-installation on a device). We also additionally specify in the product specifications that this is a version for system assemblers, — the press service of Citylink emphasized.
The license holder has not contacted WildBerries about the violation of his rights, the marketplace's press service said. They added that if this happens, the products will be promptly removed from sale.
Representatives of Yandex Market declined to comment, and DNS did not respond to Izvestia's request.