> The logo program doesn't stop manufacturers creating similar unstickered hardware
Effectively, it does. Microsoft routinely audits OEMs' products for logo/MDA compliance, and if any product offered under the same brand name fails the audit, then the entire company could lose all of its MS 'discounts' (that they've already likely baked into their cost accounting.)
In other words, if MS audits you, and any of your products fail the audit, then your unit cost for Windows licenses goes up significantly across all of your product lines.
It's very difficult for an OEM to simultaneously offer some products which are covered by the MS logo agreement and some which aren't.
Source: I used to work for a large OEM, and dealt with MS logo compliance on a daily basis.
Effectively, it does. Microsoft routinely audits OEMs' products for logo/MDA compliance, and if any product offered under the same brand name fails the audit, then the entire company could lose all of its MS 'discounts' (that they've already likely baked into their cost accounting.)
In other words, if MS audits you, and any of your products fail the audit, then your unit cost for Windows licenses goes up significantly across all of your product lines.
It's very difficult for an OEM to simultaneously offer some products which are covered by the MS logo agreement and some which aren't.
Source: I used to work for a large OEM, and dealt with MS logo compliance on a daily basis.