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PhilV
Seasoned But Casual Onlooker
99 Posts
Status: offline |
 Posted - 07/13/2012 : 6:15:59 PM
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From "The Register"
Microsoft tightens squeeze on TechNet parasites
By Gavin Clarke
Posted in CIO, 11th July 2012 12:44 GMT
Microsoft is restricting the software available on IT-pro hangout TechNet to thwart illegal use of its gear.
The company is removing software not intended for use in an "IT professional managed business environment" – such as the Home Edition of Windows XP – while products no longer covered by its extended support cycle have also vanished.
Also gone are "redundant or multiple instances" of products – for example, standalone versions of apps such as Outlook will be cut but the full Office suite will remain.
Among other changes, Microsoft is restricting use of all software available to the 12-month period of a TechNet subscription. All the changes are due to come into effect "in the coming weeks".
Microsoft said here it's changing the rules of TechNet in order to: "[b]etter reflect the intent of the program – aiding IT professionals in evaluating current Microsoft software and to help protect the integrity of the subscription from unsupported use."
Translation: cut down on abuse by those who install the software on PCs or servers for work purposes or play time, or who let others borrow their subscription. The rules of TechNet are clear: you can only use software for testing and evaluating with accounts only being used by the named subscriber.
In March, Microsoft cut back on the number of product activation keys it hands out to TechNet subscribers, to members of the Microsoft Developer Network and Software Assurance programme and as part of its marketing giveaways because of piracy.
Microsoft said pirates were using the keys to obtain free or lower-cost products that they were selling at "significant" profit margins.
Suspensions for abusing the terms of TechNet, meanwhile, are not uncommon.
In June 2011, a Reg reader contacted us to say his TechNet account had been suspended, with the reason given by Microsoft that he'd "abused the terms" of his membership.
He denied abusing his account, and said the problem might have been that he had 'fessed up to using a Linux computer.
A spokesperson for Microsoft told us at the time that TechNet subscriptions are reviewed regularly to determine if product usage meets the programme's subscription's licence terms.
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Mark Minasi
Chief cook and bottle washer
USA
10658 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/14/2012 : 10:11:13 AM
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Hmmm. So now TechNet subscribers get less functionality. I wonder how much cheaper it is now? Seems like buying a car with three wheels ought to be cheaper than buying one with four.<g>
Lots of IT pros have to (reluctantly) answer questions about Home Edition.
Now, though, I guess I have a legitimate excuse not to. |
Mark
tweetin' at mminasi |
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JamesNT
Moderator
USA
3150 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/14/2012 : 3:00:47 PM
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I hate to say this, but I saw this one coming. I know of at least 14 other "IT Pros" out there who use their TechNet subscriptions to install all kinds of software in production for clients.
JamesNT |
James Summerlin
www.jamessummerlin.com |
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netmarcos
Honorable But Hopeless Addict
USA
2219 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/14/2012 : 3:24:59 PM
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My son was working for a smallish local service provider and in his first few months of employment, he encountered hundreds of instances of illegal use of TechNet and OEM installations of Windows and untold other violations left by less scrupulous vendors. It was an everyday occurrence that someone would bring something in for repair and he would find that nothing on the system had a valid license. Most of these were white-box setups by other small shops in the area. One guy had been installing the same OEM license of XP on every PC he sold for over three years.
I am not surprised by this response from Microsoft. |
Mark M. Webster
Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped. - Elbert Hubbard
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wobble_wobble
Honorable But Hopeless Addict
Ireland
4517 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/14/2012 : 7:15:48 PM
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Funny how they hit the easy targets.
When will the Cloud VDI abusers get nailed? |
Joe
After everything that has happened during the month of Jan 07, I do believe that pigs fly backwards!
http://whatismyv6.com/ |
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Mark Minasi
Chief cook and bottle washer
USA
10658 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/16/2012 : 10:13:17 PM
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Hang on, guys...
Some people violate their licenses.
The answer is to find and stop them, not to provide a crippled, less-useful platform for the rest of us.
HOW many fewer licenses? What percentage? Will the cost for TechNet drop in proportion, or is this just a "fine" levied upon all of us?
Only monopolists and governments can pull that sort of nonsense off. |
Mark
tweetin' at mminasi |
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netmarcos
Honorable But Hopeless Addict
USA
2219 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/17/2012 : 1:26:57 PM
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Didn't you learn in grade school that the simplest solution to one child's poor behavior is to punish the whole class? Hapless bureaucrats and petty demagogues have relied on this formula for eons. You expect Microsoft to act differently for some reason?
Seriously, I did expect better, but that is not what we are getting. I merely presented an anectodal example of their motivation; it was not intended as an approval of the response.
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Mark M. Webster
Genius may have its limitations, but stupidity is not thus handicapped. - Elbert Hubbard
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JamesNT
Moderator
USA
3150 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/18/2012 : 12:07:00 AM
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Webster is right. Why bother all that fine tuning required to use the scapel when all you have to do is swing the broad sword?
JamesNT |
James Summerlin
www.jamessummerlin.com |
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wobble_wobble
Honorable But Hopeless Addict
Ireland
4517 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/18/2012 : 06:21:27 AM
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We run into the misuse of licenses on most of the quotes we deal with.
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Joe
After everything that has happened during the month of Jan 07, I do believe that pigs fly backwards!
http://whatismyv6.com/ |
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lacrosseboy
Old Timer
550 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/18/2012 : 1:37:53 PM
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| Part of the problem is very few people understand the licensing schemes from Microsoft. Want to be confused, try and figure out what you need or better yet, call three vendors and three different methods to license and three different prices. Confused? I am! |
Thomas Deimel
Keeper of the Holy Potato |
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DennisMCSE
Moderator
Canada
2400 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/18/2012 : 9:58:10 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by lacrosseboy
Part of the problem is very few people understand the licensing schemes from Microsoft. Want to be confused, try and figure out what you need or better yet, call three vendors and three different methods to license and three different prices. Confused? I am!
But these are Technet licenses not retail licenses. When you sign up, it says that "Software is licensed for evaluation purposes only-not for use in production environments". Says it right on the main page. Sounds fairly clear that you are only to use the software for evaluation purposes only. So when people use it in a production environment, that is clearly breaking the license. And when people install the software on their computer, then load it on their friends computers and their parents computers, that is clearly breaking the license. Which messing things up for the people that actually use it for it's stated purpose.
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DennisMCSE
Blog: http://itprofirewalker.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/Firewalker96
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PhilV
Seasoned But Casual Onlooker
99 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/19/2012 : 5:00:16 PM
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On July 16, Microsoft made changes to TechNet Subscriptions to better reflect the intent of the program – aiding IT professionals in evaluating current Microsoft software—and to help protect the integrity of the subscription from unsupported use. As part of this change, we:
Reduced the length and complexity of the User Agreement.
Made Microsoft software use and other subscription benefits available only during the 12 month subscription period.
Updated the list of products available for evaluation by:Removing redundant or multiple instances of products. For instance: The full Office suite will be available for download, but not standalone Office products such as Outlook, Publisher, etc.
Removing products that are not intended for use in an IT professional managed business environment. For instance: Windows XP Home Edition.
Removing products that are no longer covered by extended support through the Microsoft Support Lifecycle.
Standardized the 24hr product key claim limit across all programs and benefit levels at ten (10).
To review the terms of use, please refer to the Microsoft TechNet Subscription agreement that applies based on your acceptance date:
On/After July 16 2012:
Microsoft TechNet Subscription Agreement
This is an agreement between you and Microsoft Corporation (or based on where you live, one of its affiliates).
Please read this agreement carefully. It governs your TechNet subscription, including any software, content, materials, or services that you receive through the subscription. By completing the purchase of a TechNet subscription, or by using or accessing a TechNet subscription, you confirm that you agree to this subscription agreement. If you don’t agree, do not purchase or activate a TechNet subscription or access any subscription benefits, which include any associated software. A TechNet subscription is intended to allow IT Professionals to evaluate, test, and troubleshoot Microsoft software in accordance with the terms of the subscription.
Please note that Microsoft does not provide warranties for the TechNet subscription. This agreement also limits Microsoft’s liability. The applicable warranty and liability terms are specified in sections 13 and 14.
1.Who may use the subscription
In this agreement, “you” means the named, designated subscriber who has a valid subscription. Only one person may use or access a single subscription or any subscription benefits. If the subscriber is a company, the company must assign the subscription to one person within the company, and only that person may use or access the subscription or any subscription benefits.
2.Access to software
The subscription provides you with access to software and associated benefits. When your subscription concludes, you will no longer have access to the software or any associated benefits and must discontinue your use of the software.
3.Changes to the subscription benefits
Microsoft reserves the right to change the benefits available under the subscription at any time without any notice to you, such as which software titles are made available, the number of keys made available for a software title, or the number of machines on which you may install the software.
4.Using the software and other benefits a.Using software. Your use of the software is subject to the license terms provided with the software, such as click-through license terms, except for any changes to those terms that are provided in this agreement. You may not use the software if you do not have an active subscription.
You may install and use the software on your devices only to evaluate the software.
You may not use the software in a live operating environment, in a staging environment, or with data that has not been backed up.
You may not use the software for software development or in an application development environment.
The components of each software program are licensed as a single unit. You may not separate the components and install them on different devices.
You may not share, transfer, resell, or assign your subscription or the software.
b.Other benefits. Other subscription benefits that do not include software may be subject to separate terms.
5.Privacy and protection of personal information
To provide the subscription, Microsoft collects certain information about you. Microsoft may also automatically upload information about your computer, your use of the subscription, and subscription performance. Microsoft uses and protects that information as described in the Microsoft Online Privacy Statement (go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=74170). In particular, Microsoft may access or disclose information about you, including the content of your communications, in order to (a) comply with the law or respond to lawful requests or legal process, (b) protect the rights or property of Microsoft or our customers, including the enforcement of our agreements or policies governing your use of the service, or (c) act on a good faith belief that such access or disclosure is necessary to protect the personal safety of Microsoft employees, customers, or the public.
The subscription is provided through a private computer network that Microsoft operates for the benefit of itself and its customers. Microsoft retains the right to block or otherwise prevent delivery of any type of email or other communication to or from the service as part of our efforts to protect the service, protect our customers, or stop you from violating this agreement. The technology or other means Microsoft uses may hinder or otherwise affect your use of the subscription.
6.Activation
The subscription requires activation. You are only permitted to activate the subscription in the geographic region in which you purchased the subscription. Some of the software may also require activation. You must activate the software within the geographic region in which you activated the subscription because program benefits and services are tied to the geographic region where the subscription is activated. You may use the software in any geographic region. For further information on geographic restrictions, visit: go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=141397.
7.Product keys
The software may require a key to install or access it. Not all software is provided with the same number of keys. You are responsible for the use of any keys assigned to you. You may not resell, share, assign, or otherwise transfer keys. Key activity is monitored. Microsoft reserves the right to suspend or terminate your subscription, without any notice or obligation to you, if Microsoft detects suspicious activity related to keys or activations. Microsoft reserves the right to determine in its sole discretion whether an activity constitutes suspicious activity. Suspicious activity could include, but is not limited to, keys being activated in geographic regions that are different from the geographic location of the subscription activation or purchase, downloading of a large number of keys, and other similar activities. Microsoft may deactivate or otherwise limit your keys when your subscription ends. Deactivated keys will not be able to activate software
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lacrosseboy
Old Timer
550 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 07:45:41 AM
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Licensing issues are an ongoing problem with Microsoft. As I wrote, I was not discussing the production end of the world but development/testing/pre-production (whatever you want to call it). An example is hiring additional developers and not purchasing the proper licensing. Even the level of Technet licenses you need can be difficult to figure out, at least for me, trying to explain it to people with less IT knowledge is a problem.
My posting was related to getting the correct pricing information is a big part of the problem. Again, getting quotes from vendors that make sense for what you need and not under or over buying is a continuing problem with the purchasing of any Microsoft product in the corporate work. This hasn't changed for the different organizations I have work for and if they are for profit or not for profit companies.
I understand the basics of what Microsoft is trying to do but try explaining it to others who are looking at the cost and bottom line plus the overall misunderstanding of the license schemes can lead one to have some serious drinks after work! |
Thomas Deimel
Keeper of the Holy Potato |
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DennisMCSE
Moderator
Canada
2400 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 11:05:45 AM
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Yes licensing for retail or Volume License Agreement software is confusing. But again, the licening for the Technet can't be any clearer even for non-IT people. You buy 1 license for each IT guy you have that will be using the Technet software. That software is "...not for use in production environments...". If someone can't understand that, then they are just trying to bypass the licensing on purpose. Which is why Microsoft is going to this extreme to tighten the Technet licenses and spoiling it for honest people.
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DennisMCSE
Blog: http://itprofirewalker.wordpress.com/
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/Firewalker96
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JamesNT
Moderator
USA
3150 Posts
Status: offline |
Posted - 07/20/2012 : 12:34:57 PM
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quote:
spoiling it for honest people.
Which begs the question of just how many people like that there are.
JamesNT |
James Summerlin
www.jamessummerlin.com |
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Microsoft tightens squeeze on TechNet parasites
