Can I upgrade Office 2003 Professional OEM to Office 2007 Standard

[CJPMCP]

It is my understanding that OEM software is not a full license and therefore
not a viable route to upgrade to Office 2007.
Upper MGMT believes I am mistaken and wants to purchase several "upgrade"
versions of Office 2007 and attempt to install over the 2003 Pro.
Is there any data available that shows in clear, readable info that OEM does
NOT provide a viable path to upgrade ability?

 

[Bob I]

Since OEM lives and dies with the original PC, what plans are in place
for when the PC is replaced? Buy another PC and pay for another OEM so
you can Upgrade it?

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

It is your misunderstanding. According to
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/FX101754511033.aspx
"2007 Microsoft Office system pricing and upgrade information",
qualifying products for upgrade pricing to Office 2007 Standard
Edition include:
• Microsoft Works 6 through 10
• Microsoft Works suite 2000–2006 or later
• any Microsoft Office 2003 program or suite
• any Microsoft Office XP suite except Office XP Student and Teacher
• any Microsoft Office 2000 program or suite.

That said, if you don't have the original Office 2003 Pro OEM
software CDs, then it may be a bit penny-wise but pound-foolish
to purchase upgrade versions if it ever becomes necessary to
reinstall the Office 2007 upgrade software.

 

[CJPMCP]

Thanks for the reply:
In that I have the installation CDs' Can I take it that there will be no
issue of being "out of compliance" with licensing if I purchase upgrade
versions?
As far as the workstations, these are all recent Dells (past year or so),
many 64-bit. So there is no plans to 'upgrade' the workstations any time soon.

 

[garfield-n-odie [MVP]]

One-year-old Dells with OEM Office 2003 seems to me a bit unusual
of a combination? Not a problem from a licensing point of view
though. When installing or reinstalling the Office 2007 upgrade
software, the setup program will check for a qualifying product,
so don't throw out those old 2003 CDs. And as "Bob I" mentions,
your qualifying products are legally tied to the workstations
they originally came with, so if it becomes necessary to replace
one of the workstation PCs, then it might not be legal to move
the Office 2007 upgrade software to the replacement unless the
replacement has its own qualifying product.

 

[CJPMCP]

Thank you! I will consider this thread closed then.
Thanks Again!