can i install panther which was bought for a powerbook on my imac g4?

Maybe, if you have the rights (not sure about whether it is permitted).

btw--the folks at http://discussions.info.apple.com/we...r1IK.0@macosx3 should be able to answer your question. Perhaps a search there may find it has already been asked and answered.

Still, it should work. IIRC, I mistakenly used my iBook discs to install on the iMac (or maybe it was vice versa), and I don't recall a problem.

If you plan to use the panther discs which came with your pb when you bought it, the answer is no.
Panther disc which are bundled with a Mac are related to the bought Mac. The only OS which can be installed on several machines are the retailled one, the Panther package you can separately buy in a store or on the Apple Store.
Same for Tiger, the lattest I would suggest you to install on your PB
Phil

To stief: iMac -> iBook may work..a chance
iBook -> iMac should not work