Buying used macbook pro with preinstalled software? legal?

[messedkid]

Was checking ebay yesterday, and stumbled upon a macbook pro, where the seller added:

Will install software per request, but will not ship original CDs/DVDs.

Then continued to list the applications he would preinstall with said mac.

ie. iWork 08
Aperture 2
Photoshop CS3
"insert more CS3 names"
"insert more expensive apps"


Can I go ahead and assume that he either

1. has alot of money to spend on shareware, and is giving it away for free with purchase of said macbook pro. (is that even "allowed" per say)

or

2. has illegally downloaded copies of those apps (didn't know CS3 was cracked yet) and is infact spreading free illegal copies to spice up the ebay deal.



FYI the auction still had 3 days left yesterday, and is now already closed. Don't know why. Maybe someone went for "Buy Now" for 1600 euro.

 

[richard.mac]

sounds like he owns the softwares and is installing it for you but he doesnt want to actually sell the software as he might want to keep using it on his other Mac/s.

ask if he will include the install CDs and licenses, otherwise dont buy as its illegal and you wont techincally own the software and wont have a pysical backup.

 

[WildCowboy]

Unless he's providing the discs, it's a violation of the software licenses. There's a very good chance it's pirated stuff to begin with, too.

 

[bertpalmer]

Yes it is illegal - you need to purchase your own licenses.

I've noticed a lot of people sell macs with pre-installed software, office, cs3, aperture etc etc.

The theory is that you will get more money, because the user doesn't have to purchase this extra software and it's up to the user to get their own license - but really that is discretionary from the new owners point of view as it will work without them buying it.

 

[messedkid]

hehe..thought so. Especially seeing CS3 being given away "Free" but with no cds...seemed a little fishy. My spidey-senses we're having MAD tingles!

I was interested in buying the MBP (especially since it had 3 days left and was still at 15,50 euro), but definatly wouldn't have requested preinstalled software. I have iLife 08, iWork 08 and Aperture 2 licenses already. Frankly, I don't "need" the other programs he offered, even if they would be free.


Thanks guys.

 

[bertpalmer]

I was interested in buying the MBP (especially since it had 3 days left and was still at 15,50 euro),

Sure, but everyone bids in the last 5 minutes so it's not really an indicator...

Anyway - good luck in getting a mac.

 

[Sun Baked]

Playing you for a sucker, hoping people with bid more on the machine to grab so illicit software.

Buy this car for more than MSRP, and I'll toss in this hooker free -- take her home and she says, "honey I'm on the rag today, and your free hour is up"

 

[messedkid]

Sure, but everyone bids in the last 5 minutes so it's not really an indicator...

Anyway - good luck in getting a mac.

Yeah..but I'm very opptimistic.

And I already have a mac...my trusty macbook.

Don't really know why I was even searching ebay. Was actually searching for an old ibook (G3 or G4) just to dick around with it. Dunno...was in a spending mood.

Playing you for a sucker, hoping people with bid more on the machine to grab so illicit software.

Buy this car for more than MSRP, and I'll toss in this hooker free -- take her home and she says, "honey I'm on the rag today, and your free hour is up"

lol

 

[TheNightPhoenix]

This could be perfectly legal.

All those apps you mentioned can be downloaded for free off the creators websites with trial licenses. He downloaded them, installs them but doesn't provide any serial numbers easy as pie to make it seem your getting more then you are.

 

[messedkid]

This could be perfectly legal.

All those apps you mentioned can be downloaded for free off the creators websites with trial licenses. He downloaded them, installs them but doesn't provide any serial numbers easy as pie to make it seem your getting more then you are.

woah!

touche my good man!

You sir, are a sneaky bugger.

Edit:

what he posted:

"Auf Wunsch setzte ich das MacBook Pro für sie auf und installiere KOSTENLOS folgende Programme . (Jedoch ohne Mitlieferung der Original CD`s!!) "

Office 2008 fuer Mac - Home and Student Edition
iLogic Express
iWork 2008
Adobe Photoshop CS3
Adobe Flash CS3
Adobe Illustrator CS3
Adobe InDesign CS3
Adobe Dreamwaever CS3
Adobe Bridge CS3
Ableton Live 7 Demo

Rough translation
"If requested I will install the following programs on the Macbook Pro for FREE! (however without original cds)"

Strange that he would post "Ableton Live 7 DEMO if all of them were in fact demos. :S