I bought my second copy of Office on black Friday, so that I could get the $100 rebate and $7 Office 2008 upgrade. But, of course, I already have a copy of Office.

Can I sell this one?

Is the Office 2008 going to be an "upgrade" that requires the serial number for the 2004 version?

Oh - I know I could sell my original copy of office, but this one is "new", so it would be easier to sell, and I wouldn't have to reinstall.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2007 08:01AM by volcs0.

Legally, probably not. (I have not read the EULA, but M$ isn't likely to be more lenient than other S/W makers). Typically the owner of the upgrade version must also possess the full version.

Technically, most upper end upgrade require a eligible "full" version serial with each fresh install (s/w not on the machine yet). If I recall correctly, Office will do the same...scan the HD for Office, if its not there ask you to either enter the "full" version serial or insert the original CD. Since Office '08 is only upgradable from Office '04, I'd expect that version to be requires before installation is completed.

Realistically, M$ probably isn't going to come after you, so its your call.

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volcs0
... Can I sell this one? ...

It's a means to get 2008 at a discount but isn't required to be present to use 2008.

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volcs0
... Is the Office 2008 going to be an "upgrade" that requires the serial number for the 2004 version?

It's actually a full version of 2008 you get, not an upgrade CD. Take another look at your rebate forms. And remember you can choose which full version of 2008 you get (one is multi-machine, the other has Automator and other support.)

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volcs0
... I know I could sell my original copy of office, but this one is "new", so it would be easier to sell, and I wouldn't have to reinstall.

I don't know if your existing copy is full or student, and I don't know if the serial is tied to either version. But in any event the serial won't be tied to a particular CD. Just keep what you have and tell the buyer why the "new one" won't come with UPC and front cover. Who cares?

Rebates aren't taboo. If someone offered me discounted software in exchange for a missing front cover and UPC code, I'd say, "no problem!"

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This whole thing has been a bit more confusing than it needs to be, For example I've had one user ask me about what they should do about the "education requirement" for the '04 copy they just got --- and so I'm like, "why even register? You're only going to use it for a month and a half until you get the '08 copy."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2007 08:31AM by deckeda.

Which brings up another interesting question - if you have the UPC and manual from the first Office, can you just return the brand new one unopened? I am not going to do that, but I wonder how Microsoft will prevent this.

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dk62
Which brings up another interesting question - if you have the UPC and manual from the first Office, can you just return the brand new one unopened? I am not going to do that, but I wonder how Microsoft will prevent this.

Well, you need the label/UPC for the rebate/upgrade. I'm not taking any chances - they might be able to tell that the label/UPC from the first one is four years old...



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/07/2007 11:41AM by volcs0.

The manuals appear to be the same, though the new one has a slight gray cast to it that the older one doesn't, and since the older one hasn't been out of the box for more than a few minutes total since it was purchased, I'd go out on a limb and say the difference is just in the paper stock used by the printer, and that they wouldn't even know about it in the rebate department. Had there been an updated version, or copyright date to go by, then it makes more sense to have something time sensitive to look for. The UPC thingy for the upgrade is another story; no clue what secret info could be contained in that puppy. Same boat here, will be over-saturated w/ 2004's, especially after the 2008 arrives. I heard selling is bad mojo, but trading for hookers and booze is OK...