A Q about Win 8.1 License for Win 8.1 in VM.

[moulderhere]

A business friend of mine runs a PC hosting rendering service. So you can rent out CPU/RAM resources on a linux host to render or do whatever you want.

He asked me about the idea of selling Windows rendering in a VM on linux Host.

I was thinking of having people buy in a package a hard drive, oem copy of windows and then the price for his rendering services. Whereby people would end up getting back the windows copy in vm then can use else where.

Is that allowed?
We are going to be using always legal copies and return everything back to customer (so in the end after services is done, they get the VM on a blue ray disc with win dvd and coa.)

Is OEM copies allowed to do this?
Retail?
What do I use and what are the rules.

Thank you.

 

[USAFRet]

I'd imagine it is OK with the OEM, but you'd have to contact Microsoft Licensing to verify. Do NOT take my word for this.

Specifically, in the 8.1 licensing:
" You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement. "

 

[moulderhere]

I don't have a Microsoft rep or anything. Is there a way of contacting them and actually getting a response? I mean to say this besides going through something like a lawyer way of communication.

 

[USAFRet]

I don't have a Microsoft rep or anything. Is there a way of contacting them and actually getting a response? I mean to say this besides going through something like a lawyer way of communication.

You might want to start here
http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/about-licensing/windows8-1.aspx

or here: http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/

 

[moulderhere]

Thank you.