Microsoft's announcement of changes to the way it charges non-profit and charity groups for its software on second-hand machines has been criticised by refurbishers in the UK.
"Microsoft Authorised Refurbishers" will be allowed to install or reinstall Windows ME and 98 onto refurbished machines they sell to not-for-profit groups. As long as the client is an "Eligible Recipient" like a school, hospital or charity there is only a $5 admin charge from Microsoft.
Jon Godfrey, MD of Life Cycle Services Ltd, which offers refurbished computers, said: "I broadly support it but they could do more. In most cases Microsoft has already sold a license on the machine which comes in - it should be possible to transfer that to a new owner." Godfrey said that administration and replacement of authorisation stickers demanded by the scheme was an added expense for refurbishers.
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