OEM Music Software - Don't Fall For It!

[Martin Walker]

We've had quite a few discussions about various 'Cheap OEM' web sites on the SOS Forums recently, and they trade on the confusion that the term OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) seems to generate (largely because so many PC hardware/software sites offer both Retail and slightly cheaper OEM versions of products that come without extras, manuals, and so on).

Sadly some people fall for it, and even think they are paying for the real thing, so rather than start any more threads with links to dodgy web sites offering software at amazingly low prices, have a read of some of these existing threads instead:

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showf ... ber=667699

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showf ... ber=716268

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showf ... ber=710691

http://www.soundonsound.com/forum/showf ... ber=720714

Martin

[benton]

Ive seen this fish before. Nice job on the heads up!

[NickDawes]

Really useful to know, thanks for the post!

[DaleSmith]

Cracked software is what it is. The sites do make it look legal, and people do buy them in good faith.
The amount of people doing it on ebay is amazing. I thought they would have tighter rules on this kinda thing.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290545082057&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT#ht_1058wt_1141

for example

[hollowsun]

The amount of people doing it on ebay is amazing. I thought they would have tighter rules on this kinda thing.

You seem to be under the impression that eBay actually give a sh!t. They don't!

Impudent wastrels sell my free sound library stuff on the Bay of E claiming it to be their own work ... and eBay couldn't give a toss and you have to leap through hoops and suck pebbles through a straw to prove your copyright. It takes so bloody long that the feckers have long gone by the time eBay start to take notice by which time it's too late.

And when it happens again, you have to start all over again!

As long as eBay get their sales commission, they couldn't care less!

[Henry Mark1]

Nice post. Thanks for sharing this useful resource here with us.

[Stoney]

So is this legitimate?:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XP-PROFESSIONAL-SP3-Windows-Professional/dp/B002ORYHKQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350746057&sr=8-1

I thought I was buying a genuine copy from amazon - but it says OEM on the package...

[James Perrett]

Windows XP is legitimately available as OEM software provided it is sold with hardware - hence the odd reference to hardware in that listing.

James.

[Stoney]

No hardware with it - just CD and booklet

[Skerrick]

Cracked software is what it is. The sites do make it look legal, and people do buy them in good faith.
The amount of people doing it on ebay is amazing. I thought they would have tighter rules on this kinda thing.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2905450...

for example

yeah man i bought a sample pack for like $4 off ebay that had all the kick drums, hats snares etc from reason, logic, maschine, ableton, fl and cubase... :s

[Dr60hz]

Nice post Martin. I am new to the forum and I like that people look out for each other here. I have been working with audio for almost 30 years now and the only advice I can add regarding software is, buy it directly from the manufacturer. Go to Waves or whatever company it is that makes what you are looking to purchase, and purchase it from them directly and you can't go wrong.

[Martin Walker]

Hi Richard, and welcome to the SOS Forums!

Yes, we like to look out for forum users, SOS readers and software developers alike here

We're all musicians after all!

Martin

[Nannie Braz]

It's nice to know, Very useful..thank you for the post!

[alexis]

Windows XP is legitimately available as OEM software provided it is sold with hardware - hence the odd reference to hardware in that listing.

James.

I'm speccing a pre-built DAW from a reputable company ... the included Windows 7 is "OEM" ... is that anything I should be concerned about/ try to change?

Thanks!

[James Perrett]

I wouldn't have thought that would be a problems as the company building your computer are a proper OEM - exactly the sort of people that Microsoft intend the OEM version to be sold to.

First line support should come from the DAW maker rather than Microsoft themselves.

[alexis]

I wouldn't have thought that would be a problems as the company building your computer are a proper OEM - exactly the sort of people that Microsoft intend the OEM version to be sold to.

First line support should come from the DAW maker rather than Microsoft themselves.

Great, thank you, James!

[Scramble]

I'm speccing a pre-built DAW from a reputable company ... the included Windows 7 is "OEM" ... is that anything I should be concerned about/ try to change?

This is standard with companies that custom-build computer and DAW systems, and I'd be suspicious if they weren't using an OEM version.

[stewartjames008]

OEM (original equiment manufacturer) Music software easy to work with, and when included with your hardware, provide your customers with everything they need to start recording and making music. It is the Best mixing music software.

[KsJohn]

Good work...enough said!!! don't fall for cheap products ....reliability is all matters.. thnx for the post!!!

[OneWorld]

I thought I was safe buy applying the wisdom "If it sounds too good to be true it is" So, some years ago now, I paid £100 for Reason 5, which I thought was a reasonable price for used software. I received it and all I got for my £100 was a white label cracked CD in a plastic sleeve, total cost have been about £1.00 including postage.

So next time I bought used software, it was Cubase 4, I asked for confirmation that it came with the official USB dongle, boxed and with the registration card, the seller assured me yes yes yes, and took £120 off me - what I received was a cracked copy, in a plastic sleeve and the darned thing was so scratched it wouldn't have worked anyway.

I only ever buy from retailers or manufacturers, and in fact considering the cost of upgrades which are on the whole reasonable, I think it works out cheaper!

[Scramble]

These days it's pretty easy to get eBay to refund you in such cases. (Assuming you're buying from eBay... bit tougher if you're not!).

But it's always been the case that when you buy things like a used copy of Cubase or Reason or similar, you need to see photos of everything... if there are no pics then assume if doesn't exist. (Of course photos can be faked, but generally if there are photos then the likelihood that everything is legit is far higher).

Not that I've ever bought used software from eBay, but I know people who have that have, and it's always been fine, but they never buy unless there are photos.

[OneWorld]

These days it's pretty easy to get eBay to refund you in such cases. (Assuming you're buying from eBay... bit tougher if you're not!).

But it's always been the case that when you buy things like a used copy of Cubase or Reason or similar, you need to see photos of everything... if there are no pics then assume if doesn't exist. (Of course photos can be faked, but generally if there are photos then the likelihood that everything is legit is far higher).

Not that I've ever bought used software from eBay, but I know people who have that have, and it's always been fine, but they never buy unless there are photos.

it was MugTree and, sorry to say it.....one was SOS Reader's Ads, but am wiser after the fact. I have to add, I have done quite a number of transactions on SOS and in every other case the experience has been flawless, good honest folk, the staff of Life!

[jollyon]

Thanks for the info Martin

[Arpangel]

The amount of people doing it on ebay is amazing. I thought they would have tighter rules on this kinda thing.

You seem to be under the impression that eBay actually give a sh!t. They don't!

Impudent wastrels sell my free sound library stuff on the Bay of E claiming it to be their own work ... and eBay couldn't give a toss and you have to leap through hoops and suck pebbles through a straw to prove your copyright. It takes so bloody long that the feckers have long gone by the time eBay start to take notice by which time it's too late.

And when it happens again, you have to start all over again!

As long as eBay get their sales commission, they couldn't care less!

I stopped using EBay many years ago, it's just a bad place, I'd rather miss out on something than use that site, if you sell you feel as though you've been mugged for fees, if you buy you're not sure if you're dealing with a fraudster.