Is this illegal?

[striker_rage]

Dear fellow members,

I am a bit in a pinch and hope you can help me out. I wanted to buy Microsoft office 2010 home and student.


I mostly use excel for keeping my financial information so that i can see all my investments (bank deposits, bonds, shares etc) in a glance and make prompt decisions.


Now, as i mentioned earlier, i wanted to buy MS Office 2010 Home & Student but i read the following on Microsoft site and don't know what to make of it.

*Licensed for installation on up to three home PCs. Not for use in any commercial, nonprofit, or revenue generating business activities, or by any government organization.

I am lending money to bank (bank deposits) and making money through interest. Now, excel is involved indirectly.


Does this mean i would be violating microsoft license ( not for use in revenue generating business activities).


I hope members can help me out with this.

[Andy Pope]

I would only consider that use a potential infringement if you did the task for others and charged them for the privilege.

[martindwilson]

depends on the laws in your country! but I've never heard of getting interest on your bank deposits as a business

[striker_rage]

Thanks a lot Andy Pope & martindwilson,

I was thinking on the same lines since i was not generating money directly from using it but wanted to confirm it.


Lets see what others have to say.


Btw, rep added!

[martindwilson]

if you are that worried use open office or google docs they are free and you can do what you like!

[MarvinP]

I think the important phrase is "3 home PC's". The idea is that you are not allowed to install it at home and at work too. The licence, as I understand it, allows you to install it on a laptop and desktop and one other HOME machine.

[striker_rage]

@martin sir, i have office 2007 pro and i have used a lot of conditional formatting and charts. Since i have bought a pc and desktop, i thought i would buy a 3 license office suite. Due to budget constraints, i can't go for any other suites except home and student.

I have heard people having problems migrating those when moving to other suites. What do you recommend sir?


@MarvinP, thank you for the reply.

I have 2 lappy and 1 desktop at home and want to install it on all 3 so that part would not be a problem.

I just wanna confirm that revenue generating part. Any opinion on that sir?

[MarvinP]

I think Microsoft will go after companies that buy a single copy and give it to all their employees. Or worse are people that reproduce Office and try to sell it to make a profit. It sounds like you have personal finance problems that are not company related. Most personal investors use some spreadsheet functions without concern of piracy. I'd say you are safe if you are using it on a personal machine and have only installed it 3 (maximum) times. Disclaimer - I'm no lawyer and won't try to defend you if someone else thinks you are doing wrong.

[striker_rage]

I think Microsoft will go after companies that buy a single copy and give it to all their employees. Or worse are people that reproduce Office and try to sell it to make a profit. It sounds like you have personal finance problems that are not company related. Most personal investors use some spreadsheet functions without concern of piracy. I'd say you are safe if you are using it on a personal machine and have only installed it 3 (maximum) times. Disclaimer - I'm no lawyer and won't try to defend you if someone else thinks you are doing wrong.

Thank you again for the reply marvin sir,

I shall take the advise and won't install more than 3 times.

By the looks of it...it seems safe to assume that i can use it for the concerned purpose.


I won't hold you sir if microsoft comes after me....lol

[striker_rage]

UPDATE: Just ordered Microsoft Office 2010 Home & Student.

Got it for $60 and its 3 user license. So comes down to 20$ per license.

Thank you everyone for helping me make my decision.

[Richard Buttrey]

Hi,

In the circumstances you describe I wouldn't have any qualms. Your use is personal not commercial or business.
In the normal course of the English language most of us would interpret the word 'business' in the phrase 'revenue generating business activities' as meaning 'commercial for profit' operations. Depositing funds in a personal bank account could hardly be construed as commercial revenue earning.

If that were the case half the Excel user base would probably be committing an offence.

Regards

[striker_rage]

Hi,

In the circumstances you describe I wouldn't have any qualms. Your use is personal not commercial or business.
In the normal course of the English language most of us would interpret the word 'business' in the phrase 'revenue generating business activities' as meaning 'commercial for profit' operations. Depositing funds in a personal bank account could hardly be construed as commercial revenue earning.

If that were the case half the Excel user base would probably be committing an offence.

Regards

One of the best answers on this topic......thank you so so much.

Rep added to all who helped!

[striker_rage]

Sorry....double posted accidentally.