Multiple PC licenses - only within a household or not?

[tankman1989]

I have not bought multi pc licenses for some time and I am wondering what your thoughts are, or the rules are, on using multi PC licenses for AV software. If the license is for 3 PC's must they all be in the same household or can they be at different locations? Must they all be within same family or can it be spread between different customers?

What are your thoughts or does it very between vendors?

 

[PCX]

It is supposed to be the same household, although I doubt there is any real way to enforce this. That said, it is pretty shady to sell the a 3 user license to 3 different customers. Do things right and do it legit. Sell the products as they are intended to be sold, otherwise it's about as bad as pirating (stealing) the software IMHO.

 

[CLC]

I don't know about this, it says 3 users, not family pack, so do what u like I think. Some may be on the ropes about selling the 2012 software as a 2013 upgrade also. I guess it depends on if you are being honest with them and if they know what they are getting.

 

[Frick]

This sounds and looks way too shady. Have fun managing and explaining the potential issues (not to mention the possible breach of the software companies terms).

Example: One of your customers "shares" his license key with a friend or family member, using the 2nd or 3rd registration. Now the other customer you sold a license to gets a message saying it's already in use.

 

[tankman1989]

Well I haven't done anything yet, I'm asking opinions before I try this out. I've bought 3 user licenses for my parents and my sister, each have a computer but one lives elsewhere. PCX, do you think that isn't legit?

I've looked over a lot of the licensing requirements (on 3 diff vendors I use) and all it says is that it you can install on X #of computers. Nothing about where they are located or who owns them.

This is why I ask. I'm sure I'll get a smart remark for Jimbo because it's another question but there is obviously room for interpretation.

 

[Xander]

A lot of these multi-user licenses become active the day the first one is activated. So, if user#1 registers a 1-year license on Jan01 but User#2 doesn't install until Mar01 then #2 just lost out on two months.

That's why it's shady.

This is besides the common sense factor that says there is a difference between a "3 user license" and a "3 license pack". The latter can probably be split, the former probably not.

 

[SupportCover.com]

With multi-user licenses being so cheap is it really worth breaking any potential laws to save a bit of money.

Something that was mentioned in another thread was buying last years software and using the license key with this years product - as many companies allow free upgrades.

 

[cprompt]

This is besides the common sense factor that says there is a difference between a "3 user license" and a "3 license pack". The latter can probably be split, the former probably not.

Agreed. If I sell someone software that indicates a 3-user license, it's on the customers shoulders to worry about who those 3 users are. I would not consider trying to break up that pack.

In the XP days, we would buy a 3 license pack of Windows XP OEM from D and H. In that case it would be split up, because each piece of software carries it's own license and key code.

Brian.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

It's up to the license vendor, and the wording of the licensing.
Your post just mentions "Multiple PC licenses"...that would include many of the multi-user bundles that are in business bundles of an AV product. Naturally you can spread that across different locations...a business might have a wide area network and satellite offices which of course this allows.

But a "Family Pack"..that's different....yeah it's multi-user, but some AV products...like Esets Family Pack, is supposed to be for one network, sold as one unit...not as 5x separate units. Technically they can tell if it's being abused, the username/password for the updates should frequently come from the same public IP address.

Trying to abuse this and sell it to different people...that's sort of a "used car salesman" mentality, no? Not above board. Just a step or two away from selling your NFR keys of MS Action Pack.

 

[nlinecomputers]

In all of these scenarios the purchaser of the product is the one allowed to break it up. As Cat above states Business users may have multiple locations. A family might have kids off in college but in both of those cases the software is registered to one OWNER.

Breaking up such a pack to sell to three unrelated individuals is piracy plain and simple. If you were a competitor in my town and pulling that I would make sure that who ever the vendor was that you were underselling this for would become aware of your actions. Just sayin...

The real irony is the name of the OP's business..... LOL.

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

I was waiting for Jimbo to reply, I could get a good laugh! Anyhow, like everyones said I think a 3 license pack probably isn't intended to be split between customers. It's intent is most likely one registered owner, and three different computers.. doesn't matter where the computers are but they should all be registered to a single owner or purchaser of the license pack. You could always just simply ask the vendor what the intent is if your unclear, your not trying to cheat anyone just want to know what you can and can't do.

 

[tankman1989]

I just got my software today so now I know what it really says. I get a confimation email that says this:

Product name: AV Manufacturer
Number of licenses: 3 computer(s)
Expiration date: 12/02/2013
Username: AVUSERNAME
Password: AVPASSWORD


I see nothing wrong with sharing this between a family or roommates or even friends. I don't think a tech should break them up and sell each PC as an individual license, even if he was installing on the same day. I think they are all registered to the same email address as well so that would cause some confusion.

 

[CLC]

I just contacted bit defender and their response was, 'You can use your license key to install and register 3 computers." I don't know about other av software but even with the same key registered on another PC a month after the first it starts you out at 365 days.

Long story short, ask your av provider