Windows Licensing and Win4Lin Terminal Servers?

miguelk asks: "I'm helping a company (in Brazil) legalize their desktop operating system licenses by migrating to Linux on the desktop. WINE was tried but unfortunately did not work out for this particular case, so the idea is to install a Linux server with Win4Lin Terminal Server for 5 users, since the company has 5 Windows98 licenses to use for this purpose. All of the other 50+ desktops would be running Linux and would access these 5 licenses as needed, whenever they use a legacy Windows application. I have a question about the legal aspect of using the Windows desktop remotely. From all I have researched so far, this is legal since the actual Windows code will be installed on only one computer and will not be loaded in RAM on any other computer. I see it as equivalent to having 5 PCs on a desk and users walking up and using whatever PC happens to be available. I suspect that a direct, unprepared question to Microsoft is not a good idea, so I want to prepare first. Can anybody comment on this solution or share their experiences?"

Comments

Raw WINE?

[4of12]

So I wonder if raw WINE use is less robust than, say, something like Lindows?

[Don't quote me, but IIRC from a few years ago, "remote control by variable different people" of any MS software seems like it is addressed in their licenses in a prohibitive fashion...unless they all have a license:)]

Re:Good idea, but prolly violates Microsoft's EULA

[gristlebud]

"If 50 people need to use the app at the same time, you need 50 licenses."

This is where some creative scripting or programming can keep you out of a lot of trouble. If you have 5 Windows licenses, then you must ensure that only 5 people can access those applications. As long as you have positive control and proper documentation, you should be able to sail through any audit. At one of my previous jobs, we used a net-installed version of Wordperfect that had about 20 liscenses for 100 employees. Occassionally, when you went to start the program, you'd get a message saying something like "Sorry, no liscense is available. Currently, there are 4 people waiting. The program will start as soon as a liscense is available."

Re:Read the EULA

[zulux]

Nice try. Did those evil companies receive and agree with your EULA before you bought their product?

I never, "received or agreed" to their EULA before purchase.

What's good for the one party, is good for all parties.

If they feel that their EULA is valid because I implicitly agreed to it by clicking a mouse*, then I my EULA is vaild because their software installed itself on my computer.

*there is no record, admissable in court, that I ever clicked or did not-click throught their EULA. In fact, I don't remember ever needing to do anything of the sort. (hint hint).

Re:Read the EULA

[zulux]

You may hold a different opinion, but opinons don't count in issues like this.

I went down the hall to our contract attourney, and he read a bit of the thread and basicall agreed with me. The gist is that all EULA are pretty much have been held to be invalid because they attempt to alter the sale contract without consideraion.

You county may differ than the US, but here in case after case, egrigious cluases in EULA type documents, signs and such have been unenforcable - especually when there is no considersion.

You're attempting to alter the responsibilities of a seller after the transaction is complete.


I sorry, but you're wrong - the transaction takes place when money is exchanged for producet, and not at instation time.