by ZK-MAT » Sat Nov 18, 2006 8:47 pm
My understanding of OEM as far as licensing goes, is that it is sold with the component and designed to be used only with that component. That is, if it was an O/S, it cannot be reinstalled on another PC, hence why they usually put the Windows Serial and licence sticker on the cases of PC's.
We come across it a bit in the insurance industry, if a PC is stolen or damaged, we are obliged to buy a new O/S even if the client still has the original discs that could (in thoery) be re-loaded.
The benefit though is OEM versions bundled with products don't normally have all the flash packaging and are generally cheaper.