Since May 2001, Microsoft customers have been tearing their hair out over
announced changes in Microsoft licensing programs. For very small businesses
with just a few PCs, buying shrink-wrapped software by the box or relying on the
software that is installed on new PCs (and expected to last for the life of
those PCs) is a viable strategy. But when you manage many PCs, volume licenses
are a huge help.
Microsoft Licensing 6.0 grew out of a company decision to turn its business
users into something that resembles annuities. Microsoft is irritated that so
many users buy copies of its software or get "free" licenses with new PCs and
then use that software year after year without making additional payments. As
long as users are making money with its software, Microsoft thinks it should be
making money on that software, too.
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