Hello jdfristrom,
Thank you for your question.
The is software available for academic purchase at large discounts,
but only for bonafide student and instructors and only through
bonafide channels. Sometimes, the software is disabled and has
restrictions that it can not be used for commercial purposes or may
even watermark the final product so that it is used for instructional
use only.
About.com has a good article dealing with this and other software scams.
http://graphicssoft.about.com/cs/faq/a/softwarescams.htm
"Don't be a Sucker!
From Sue Chastain,
How to Spot Software Scams and Report Illegal Sellers
From time to time, I receive email from someone who has come across
another one of those too-good-to-be-true offers for cheap software and
would like my opinion on the legitimacy of the company and the offer.
Adobe Photoshop and other Adobe software is especially common in these
software scams. We've all heard it a million times, but allow me the
privilege of saying it one more time: If it sounds too good to be
true, it probably is! ...
...If the product is advertised as an OEM, NFR, or academic version.
(OEM software is only to be sold with hardware such as new computer
systems. NFR stands for not for resale and is generally distributed
for evaluation purposes and beta testing. Academic versions can only
be purchased by students, teachers, and education faculty.)..."
You might read the entire article.
Hagerman and Company note the following:
http://newsletters.hagerman.com/newsletters/ebul28-WP.htm
"...Have you ever gotten a piece of SPAM that says you can download
the software for free because you are not paying for the expensive
packaging? Ever wondered if it was legal? Well, in most cases,
software is loaded to a web site (Warez) where the copyrighted
software is made available and downloaded to users without the
authorization of the copyright owner. There is also License Misuse.
This happens when product intended for Academic product, NFR Product
Misuse is clearly marked "Not for Resale", or OEM Standalone Product
is used or sold outside the areas they were intended, i.e. Academic
software is for students and schools, NFR is Not For Resale and OEM
software is marked with "For Distribution Only With New PC Hardware"
and yet is being sold without that new PC!..."
A legitimate site for Academic Software such as Buy Academic Software
has the following requirements for purchase:
http://www.buyacademicsoftware.com/whoisqualified2.html
WHO IS QUALIFIED TO BUY ACADEMICALLY PRICED SOFTWARE THROUGH
BUYACADEMICSOFTWARE.COM?
Eligibility K-12 & Home School Students Higher Ed. Students (College)
Teachers and Faculty
Eligibility Proof Required
Dated Student ID card
OR
Dated current class schedule
OR
Official letter from school
OR
Dated Registration
OR
Dated current class schedule
OR
Official letter from school
Dated Faculty ID card
OR
Official letter from school
OR
Recent faculty/staff payment stub
Enrollment Requirement
Full-time and Home-School
Full-time and Part-time
Class schedule must show current enrollment status.
Some manufacturers require full time enrollment.
Verification letter must be signed by a school official or faculty representative.
Not all manufacturers offer discounts to K-12 students or Home-School students.
Sorry, but this was difficult to format in ASCII.
Software Dreamer is similar:
http://www.softwaredreamer.com/faq.html
"Who can purchase Academic Software?
Students, faculty and staff of bona fide educational institutions,
please click the Academic Eligibiltiy section to see if you qualify
"Academic Eligibility Requirements:
Only qualified students, faculty members, staff members, and
accredited institutions are eligible to purchase Academic marked
software from SoftwareDreamer.com. You must provide us proof of your
Current Academic status.
Educational Institutions: Public or Private K-12 School, Vocational
Schools; Junior Colleges, State Colleges, Universities and other
accredited Academic Institution recognized by the US Department of
Education and/or the State Board of Education. .
Students: Full and Part-time students of all Public or Private K-12,
Vocational Schools, Junior Colleges, Colleges, Universities, and other
accredited Academic Institution as defined above.
Faculty and Staff Members: Full and Part-time faculty and staff of all
Public or Private K-12, Vocational Schools, Junior Colleges, Colleges,
Universities and other accredited Academic institution as stated
above.
Hospitals: Hospitals that are wholly-owned and operated by an
Educational Institutions as defined above.
Libraries:Libraries that are wholly-owned and operated by an
Educational Institutions as defined above.
Museums:Museums that are wholly-owned and operated by an Educational
Institutions as defined above.
Churches:Churches and other theological organizations qualify to
purchase many products from our catalog. However, some publishers do
not qualify churches/ theological organizations, please email us for
information on specific products/ publishers.
Non Profit Organizations:Non-Profit Organizations qualify to purchase
many products from our catalog. However, some publishers do not
qualify Non-Profit Organziations, please email us for information on
specific products/ publishers.
Senior Citizens (Corel Software Only):Must be considered to be a
senior citizen under country/ state laws. Purchaser must be over 65
years of age, and must show valid proof of identification.
Documentation to Establish Academic Status:
Faculty & Staff : Copy of valid Faculty/ Staff ID Card. The copy
should clearly indicate the name of the individual, the Faculty/ Staff
Number, Date of Validity, and the name of the Institution. The ID
should be a photo ID. If identification does not include a photo, then
identification must be accompanied by a second source photo
identification (eg. drivers licence). If the identification does not
carry a date of validity, then an additional form of ID is required to
establish current academic status. You may submit a copy of a recent
paystub (current or previous month only), a copy of a teaching
contract that indicates a period of validity, or a letter from the
school - on the official letterhead of the school - confirming that
you are a current faculty/ staff member at the school. In the event
that the institution does not have an ID card system, acceptable
alternate documentation include copies of current pay-stubs, teaching
contracts, or a letter from the institution confirming current
faculty/ staff position at the institution. Such letter must be signed
by someone with suitable authority and be on the official letterhead
of the institution.
Students : Copy of valid Student ID Card. The copy should clearly
indicate the name of the individual, the Student ID Number, Date of
Expiry (or current Semester validiation sticker), and the name of the
Institution. The ID should be a photo ID. If identification does not
include a photo, then identification must be accompanied by a second
source photo identification (eg. drivers licence). If the
identification does not carry a date of expiration (or a current
semester validation sticker), then an additional form of ID is
required to establish current academic status. You may submit a copy
of a current semester tuition paid receipt, a current semester course
registration schedule, or a letter from the school - on the official
letterhead of the school - confirming that you are a currently
enrolled student at the school. In the event that the institution does
not have an ID card system, acceptable alternate documentation include
copies of current fee-paid receipt, registration/ course schedule, or
a letter from the institution confirming current faculty/ student
status at the institution. Such letter must be signed by faculty or
administrative authority and be on the official letterhead of the
institution.
Educational Institutions : Must provide an official purchase order
from the institution on the official stationery/ purchase order of the
institution.
Administrative Offices or Board of Education of Educational
Institutions : Must provide an official purchase order from the
Administrative Office or Board of Education on the official
stationery/ purchase order of the institution..."
So here are companies acting legally and responsibly.
Savings Center has this to say about softwareoutlet.com (though I did
not do an extensive search frop their credibility for you):
http://www.savings-center.com/store-info/SoftwareOutlet
A NIGHTMARE EXPERIENCE! STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY!
And, at Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005MKSZ/103-7210728-8727855
"...The software really looks like I could have fun with it. If only
it would arrive, I'd be all set. I think it's pathetic that companies
can get your electronic payment in 60 seconds, but they make you wait
weeks for your stuff. I really needed this right away for my son's
birthday party. Don't get me wrong, it's not the product thats bad,
it's softwareoutlet.com! If it's not in stock, why do I have to pay
for it? I could get it somewhere else, but that's the trick, they
don't tell you it's not in stock until AFTER they get your money.
Amazon is just as bad in this case because when I tried to cancel the
order, I got a message that I couldn't because it was already
processed. IN 60 SECONDS! How do you process something that isn't even
available? These businesses need to get it together!.."
I think that should do it. Not a credible company, at least to some
buyers and not following the software manufacturers rules for Academic
Software. I would stay away.
Search Strategy:
"academic software" legal to buy
softwareoutlet.com +review
I trust my research has provided you with a rsponsible answer. If a
link above should fail to work or anything require further explanation
or research, please do post a Request for Clarification prior to
rating the answer and closing the question and I will be pleased to
assist further.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
