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Donating Software?
nuxx asks: "I have a copy of Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition here, with 25 Client Access Licenses which I don't need. I don't want to throw it away, but because it's a Not For Resale copy, I can't list it on eBay. So, I'd like to give it to a charity. It's a completely new, unused, legal copy which was handed to me by a Microsoft rep a few weeks ago, so this should be legal to do. The problem is, I'm not really sure how to donate software to a charity. Does anyone have any experience with this? Do you know of any resources available regarding how to send such donations and which organizations find them useful?"
This being said, I can't remember the web sites addresses right now. Google is your friend.
The right to offend is far more important than the right not to be offended. (Rowan Atkinson)
give them to me, I won't tell anyone.. promise!!
Anyway, I don't have an idea how to donate a licensed software. Is the software licensed to you? your company? What kind of licensing is it? If there would be any transfer, just be sure you got the supporting documents you need or any sort of written agreement. Wouldn't it be wise to inquire Microsoft with regards to this issue? my $0.02.
I work at a non-profit, but not the do-goody tipe. Whenever someone asks where they can get donated software I usually hear a reference to http://www.techsoup.org/ - so I'd check there first.
http://www.cwwpp.org/
They might need it, since their "server" runs XPpro and they get a bunch of volunteers to work there.
As for the legal stuff, you dont need to transfer this license, since the installation can be performed "in your name", hence you are still the owner of this product, but you grant the organisation an exclusive right to use this software (you dont sell or give away, you just let them use it instead of you)
Delta-Mike November Bravo Tango
Source:http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/eu
What? Are you suggesting he should write his own Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition? Ofcourse not. Then why should he just throw it away if there's somebody out there who will find it useful, and would maybe buy it otherwise?
Besides, writing software is work. Donating software isn't. I don't think extra work was on his mind when he was posting this to Slashdot.
I demand the Cone of Silence!
Ah, but he wants to decrease the maximum value of his taxes.
Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
I've worked with a few Not For Proffit organizations in the past, and we've always gone through TechSoup for our needs. Great organization.
-Rick
"Most people in the U.S. wouldn't know they live in a tyrannical state if it walked up and grabbed their junk." - MyFirs
You're not allowed to donate the software according to Microsoft. Even if you could transfer it to a charity, in two years they would need to renew it at great cost which they probably can't afford. My suggestion is to give it to a school that can use it to teach students for a couple years then wipe it. Microsoft shouldn't have a problem with that and probably won't sue you or the school and probably won't raid you with the BSA and FBI in tow (though you never know).
So, list a CD case for sale on eBay, which comes with a *free gift* of a copy of Windows Server 2003 R2 Enterprise x64 Edition then
If you're looking for a charity I can't help you. But I used to go to this school where we were able to setup a cyber cafe and start running it. they are paying for licenses every year. if you want i can give you their info and you can donate it to them. the school doesn't really give the team there a lot of money, so they are always looking for help as far as software or money goes.
My 501(c)(3) is a member of Techsoup Stock, a sort of clearinghouse for corporate nonprofit programs. Through the Microsoft Software Donation Program an XP-Pro upgrade from an existing licensed copy of Windows is US$8.00 through Techsoup Stock.
The parent is right Techsoup is a great place to start, and as the other poster said the prices are pretty low so many may just prefer to buy from them.
But not every non-profit can benefit from the offerings at techsoup (depends on the 'donator' and thier restrictions) For microsoft the restrictions listed are:
"Microsoft products are not available for distribution to educational institutions (including K-12 schools, colleges, universities, and trade schools), political organizations, religious organizations (except for those with a secular community designation), healthcare networks and healthcare research organizations, or private foundations. Please consult our complete list of ineligible organizations for more information."
Schools have thier own discounted licensing plan (might be higher $$ though), so if I wanted to help the unhelped I'd probably help my local church, foundation or healthcare research organization.
"Enjoy what you're doing! If it becomes drudgery, you're doing it wrong!" - Jim Butterfield
I recommend you throw it away, thereby increasing the average quality of software in the universe.
LOL. You should start a technology version of the darwin award.
Having to work for a living is the root of all evil.
...what's important is that MS can afford better lawyers than you can.
My favourite IT surplus seller was put out of business after MS threatened them with a long, drawn-out legal battle over the legality of reselling OEM software.
hmmm... a possible attempt to hook a non-profit on MS crack?
Another way might be to give it to a gadget/software blog site and they can start a contest for it. This way, somebody who wants/needs it will get it and everyone can enjoy some interesting entries for the competition
Setting up said charity for the pain misery and cost of running and upgrading windows server 2003 is probably not a terribly charitable thing when you think about it, I know Microsoft would be very pleased though.
Software Freedom Day!.
Oh, I don't know, writing an entire OS with all the features of Windows Server 2003 couldn't take more than just a couple hours, right? Someone should do that!
Comment of the year
A percentage of assets donated to a charitable organization can be deducted from income.
For instance, I was able to 'sell' my brother my previous car without him having to pay sales tax on the sale(there is an exception for immediate family), and then he was able to donate the car and deduct something like 30% of the value on his taxes.
Another example would be a gift from a family member less than $10,000; it does not need to be declared as income, but any donation could be declared.
Basically, the tax code has nothing to do with common sense.
Nerd rage is the funniest rage.
If you didn't make any promises to the rep and have not yet installed it and agreed to the EULA you can give it away or sell it as you see fit. If you did agree not to transfer it and you did so anyway you would be in breach of contract but Microsoft would have no legal claim against whoever you transferred it to as they are not party to any contract with Microsoft.
Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
That takes in said items we use them to refurbish computers which we in turn hand off to other charities around the world. WWW.interconnection.org will gladly take OS as well as hardware. Mike Yust Donation Coordinator
Are you really prohibited from reselling it? Might be like that in the US, but in Germany, I believe it was ruled that they can't stop you from reselling software, no matter what they print on the package. So, stores have lines of "not to be sold seperately" Windows copies and the like, which fetch almost the same price as the ones with a prettier box.
Often, those 'freebees' you get from your rep may NOT be redistributed in any form, even for free.. ( regardless of the fact you didnt use it )
However, somtimes they are.. It all just depends. You need to call your rep and see what you got in you hands there. A gift, or a door stop.
---- Booth was a patriot ----