I bought a copy of NIS 2009. It came with a 12 month subscription. It cost about $27US. On the product key it says: “Norton Internet Security 2009 CTO System Builder” (I wonder what the CTO stands for?). On the disk it says: “System Builder Edition”.
A)The store manager said it was okay to buy it by itself.
B)The package said it must be purchased with a hardware component.
C)The label on the disk says: “For distribution only with a new PC”.
All three can’t be correct.
In another post, concerning system builder editions, someone quoted Symantec as saying: “Product must be sold in conjunction with a computer system, unless otherwise approved in writing by an authorized representative of Symantec”.Should I assume the store obtained approval in writing, from an authorized representative of Symantec, to sell the product by itself? You assume that established retailers have some idea of what they are doing. Should I return or discard the product? Then I would have to buy the more expensive 3-license boxed version. All that the EULA says is that it can only be used on one computer at a time (a reasonable requirement I think). But since “OEM” software (if that’s what its considered to be) is supposed to stay with the computer it was originally installed on, the EULA only adds to the confusion.
The SIIA (Software & Information Industry Association) talks about “OEM/Unbundling: selling standalone software that was intended to be sold packaged with specific accompanying hardware.” Maybe that doesn’t apply here because OEM and System Builder editions are different, or because no “specific” accompanying hardware is designated with the NIS System Builder editions. I would think that OEM applies to people like Dell and HP, and that System Builder applies to people that build and maintain thier own systems (hardware and software included).
Anyway, I think only Symantec could clear this up, if they wanted to. Meanwhile, I’m sure I don’t want to be a party to any “OEM/Unbundling”, if such a thing really applies in this case. So I’ll refrain from using the software till further notice.
I have got some information from Symantec Web site regarding the System Builder products. Hope this helps:
"Symantec’s System Builder Buying Program delivers branded security and availability solutions to system builders and system integrators for small business and consumer customers. System Builder Product must be sold in conjunction with a computer system, unless otherwise approved in writing by an authorized representative of Symantec. Some Symantec System Builder Edition Products include an annual subscription to protection updates that are enabled upon acceptance of the end user license agreement. Symantec security offerings include a 365-day subscription to security updates. Symantec security offerings include activation codes used to enable subscription period. Each of the solutions are pre-packaged in a plain box containing individual polybags based on license pack purchased. Each polybags contains one of the following: Program Terms and Conditions, CD of the Symantec Product, product information card, license agreement and certificate of authenticity. Symantec System Builder products can be purchased through one of the Authorized Distributors. Our current System Builder distribution partners are ASI, D&H, IngramMicro, Synnex, or Tech Data."
I am not sure from where you got your System Builder version. Like Reese, I am also little suspicious about this as you got the product without any hardware purchase or new computer. The difference between OEM and System builder is that I found is
OEM is normally provided with new computer such as DELL, HP etc, not along with other hardware purchase. The initial subscription may be for 30/60/90 days, but not for the whole 1 year(12 months). You have to renew the subscription after this period to continue it's use. You cannot upgrade the OEM version to latest version without subscription renewal.
System Builder is provided with the purchase of hardware, or else with the purchase of a new PC in which that hardware is included. It includes 365 days(1 Year) of initial subscription. You can upgrade the product whenever a latest version is available with the initial subscription period itself and later renew the subscription if you wish to continue the Norton program.
Yogesh
Message Edited by yogesh_mohan on 03-03-2009 02:27 AM
I was in the same situation as you Sold a OEM + CTO the shop I bought it from installed it,I am using that product as it had the one year subscription,I will be renewing/resubscribing in about 30 days and this time I know what to buy.
I suppose you can put it down to a lesson learned. I bought it in good faith that the seller new what he was doing and I trusted him .I have had no problems with it being installed and all updates/upgrades happen.
I bought a copy of NIS 2009. It came with a 12 month subscription. It cost about $27US. On the product key it says: “Norton Internet Security 2009 CTO System Builder” (I wonder what the CTO stands for?). On the disk it says: “System Builder Edition”.
A)The store manager said it was okay to buy it by itself.
B)The package said it must be purchased with a hardware component.
C)The label on the disk says: “For distribution only with a new PC”.
All three can’t be correct.
In another post, concerning system builder editions, someone quoted Symantec as saying: “Product must be sold in conjunction with a computer system, unless otherwise approved in writing by an authorized representative of Symantec”.Should I assume the store obtained approval in writing, from an authorized representative of Symantec, to sell the product by itself? You assume that established retailers have some idea of what they are doing. Should I return or discard the product? Then I would have to buy the more expensive 3-license boxed version. All that the EULA says is that it can only be used on one computer at a time (a reasonable requirement I think). But since “OEM” software (if that’s what its considered to be) is supposed to stay with the computer it was originally installed on, the EULA only adds to the confusion.
The SIIA (Software & Information Industry Association) talks about “OEM/Unbundling: selling standalone software that was intended to be sold packaged with specific accompanying hardware.” Maybe that doesn’t apply here because OEM and System Builder editions are different, or because no “specific” accompanying hardware is designated with the NIS System Builder editions. I would think that OEM applies to people like Dell and HP, and that System Builder applies to people that build and maintain thier own systems (hardware and software included).
Anyway, I think only Symantec could clear this up, if they wanted to. Meanwhile, I’m sure I don’t want to be a party to any “OEM/Unbundling”, if such a thing really applies in this case. So I’ll refrain from using the software till further notice.