03-24-2007, 02:11 PM
Quote: Much of the new software sold on eBay is what's known as "gray market"--items that have somehow made their way out of the normal distribution chain.
It's also known as "OEM" software--a term that frequently appears on eBay listings. That stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer and simply means it's an authentic version of the product, not a copy.
One of the most common types of OEM software are programs intended to be sold with another product...
Software makers contend that gray-market sales violate terms of the licenses that control use of their products.
The industry's main trade group, the Software & Information Industry Association, has sued five eBay merchants who sell OEM products...
full article: http://news.com.com/Software+sales+risks...70202.html