I'm sure you mean an e-mail that you received can buy cheap name brand software. In fact, I received such an email the other day. They call this type of software OEM Software. But is it legal? And most importantly, how can you spot a software scam?

Software Scams

These are some of the "sounds too good to be true" warning signs:

1. The prices are below most respected online vendors – such as Amazon.com.

2. If the webmaster is significantThe reasons why they are legal – should not be.

3. If there is a statement that "tells you the right to a reversal (chargeback – a return of the product, and thus) the return of your money in your pocket. Or is there a really scary statement that they may have in the small print – that the opposite effect, you can sue for all chargebacks you can put into action against them.

4. If you assign a special number – no use not the registration number – more than likely it is aillegal version.

5. Registration – sellers, says the software can not be registered.

6. No warranty offered.

These are clear indications that this software could be illegal. Always take time to consider the "Whois" to see how long the dealer has online: 1) less than a year – the first warning signs 2) only one IP address without a name, address, etc. – second warning sign.

What If I Get It, Anyway?

Maybe you can not harm you say to yourself: "Sure it is.And it's so cheap! "This is the draw. But it can give you some of the following problems open:

1) Credit Card Fraud

2) No technical support

3) No Manuals

4) Software is basically a "What You See Is What You Get". You got it, no upgrades.

5) The software could have installed a virus with the software. In fact, illegal software one of the main causes of damage to computer systems and data has been.

Example of possible virus download: AIndividual workers found Pacman game (though not to obtain illegally) on the Internet for surfing the net at home and decided to leave the game on a disk to play it at work during the slow download times. As an added bonus, his benevolent indifference, he has not a virus check on the disk to make sure was the game clean. He took it to work, put the floppy disk and downloaded into his blind the game to play it in his spare time. And lo and behold – Pacman game Pacman came with virus.The happy little critter eating slowly, on the hard disk. The results of his actions, downtime, and productivity for the company. Lost workers – one weeks wages for the indiscretion.

6) The penalties for using illegal software can face – which can be significant.

When it is not illegal?

OEM software is illegal if it is not used by the software license agreement.
In most cases, the OEM software legally when he indicated with distributedassociated hardware. If the OEM software is legitimate, do not expect, manuals, original retail packaging of the software or technical support that is provided usually by the hardware.

Where to software piracy