Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

**Kristijntje** · 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

rose · 03-24-2007, 05:35 PM,

You deserve to be swindled if you're dumb enough to buy software on Ebay. 90% of it is either grey market or pirated.

bargainbloodhound · 03-24-2007, 07:10 PM,

[quote author=rose link=topic=8824.msg47879#msg47879 date=1174757718]
You deserve to be swindled if you're dumb enough to buy software on Ebay. 90% of it is either grey market or pirated.
[/quote]

I always wondered how part-time hobby sellers who don't have a business license (and therefore couldn't buy wholesale) were able to sell new software for below wholesale prices on eBay. Icon_scratch

I think the software4less in the thread title should be changed to pirated4less. Smile

maggie777 · 03-25-2007, 01:38 AM,

Quote:how part-time hobby sellers who don't have a business license (and therefore couldn't buy wholesale) were able to sell new software for below wholesale prices on eBay.

What is their secret? ;D

sneakymagenta · 03-25-2007, 07:22 PM,

[quote author=maggie777 link=topic=8824.msg47906#msg47906 date=1174786688]

What is their secret? ;D
[/quote]

Their Secret Revealed
Always sell at a loss. Always work a day job.

***mandy*** · 03-30-2007, 07:37 AM,

Quote:Their Secret Revealed
Always sell at a loss. Always work a day job.

and don't forget to buy a CD duplicator. ;D

A related article:

Quote:An Indiana man was sentenced to over two years in prison for selling over $700,000 worth of counterfeit software on eBay, the US Department of Justice announced.

Courtney Smith, 36, of Anderson, Ind., was sentenced in US District Court to 27 months in prison, a two-year supervised release, and will face fines and restitution in excess of $7,000. That's a pretty stiff penalty considering he only made $4,000 from the sale of pirated Rockwell Automation software.

It appears there's a stupidity penalty worked in there, too...

full article: http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2007/0...own-by-doj

sneakymagenta · 03-30-2007, 03:32 PM,

Quote:It appears there's a stupidity penalty worked in there, too...