For the past few years, OEM copies of Windows and Office have been sold under licensing terms that are just plain silly. Yes, you could buy an OEM copy of either product, at a substantial savings over the retail versions, but you had to purchase a “qualifying non-peripheral computer hardware component” with it. This resulted in the absurdity of people buying a 99-cent cable for a power supply to make the purchase legal. It also created lots of confusion in the marketplace
That’s now changed. The new licensing rules (link restricted to registered members of System Builder program) allow resellers to distribute unopened packs of Windows and Office to any “system builder” without requiring a trivial hardware purchase:
If you don’t open the pack, you can redistribute to other system builders without any hardware.
The new rules also specifically recognize hobbyists and PC enthusiasts as system builders:
OEM system builder software packs are intended for PC and server manufacturers or assemblers ONLY. They are not intended for distribution to end users. Unless the end user is actually assembling his/her own PC, in which case, that end user is considered a system builder as well.
So, go build yourself a PC!
Ed Bott 
Your link to the new licensing rules requires passport access. Do you know if there is a public link to the new rules?
I haven’t found one yet. I quoted the most important stuff from the linked page…
Good news for enthusiasts building a Media Center PC
But doesn’t this mean that the person receiving the OEM copy of Windows must be enrolled in the system builders program?
No, Rosyna, the person who buys the copy of Windows does not have to be enrolled in the System Builders program. Read the item again and pay special attention to my last paragraph and the quote that follows it. The new rules specifically recognize hobbyists and PC enthusiasts, who don’t have to be professional system builders.
The reason I asked about enrolling in it is because it seems that text you quoted is only available if enrolled.
So what exactly does this license change mean for people? Is it easier for people to work around the clause if they just say they’re building a PC (even if they don’t mean it)?
And does it also mean I can purchase OEM licenses for installation in Virtual Machines from someplace other than my OEM?
I am an enthusiast and build my own pc systems as a hobby. Up until now I have installed oem software however today on contacting Microsoft by telephone to obtainmy product key after loosing it for Windows xp Pro OEM was advised by the person answering that I had to be a recognised system builder and did not qualify as an assembler myself. Is this true as your article suggests this is not. If not please email me a copy of the new licencing rules.
Thank you