This isn't punishment, it's an incentive. Help curb piracy and meet logo reqs. etc., and get free cash. Don't, and get less/no free cash.
From the wording of the compliance document, the OEM MDP funds are reduced by $1 per unit if any desktop computer is sold by the OEM without a license to an operating system (Windows or otherwise).
It doesn't say that the OS has to be preinstalled. Even if this is the case, how much more trouble is it to install a ghost image on a pre-loaded system (which can be a Linux system if you fear the "Microsoft tax")?
Plus, you always have the option of using a non-MS contracted OEM. There are plenty available.
This post was edited by n4cer on Tuesday, January 20, 2004 at 04:02.
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