Microsoft quietly cuts number of product keys available to TechNet subscribers
Summary: Less than a week ago, Microsoft blogger Paul Thurrott mentioned a supposed TechNet bug, via which subscribers to Microsoft's TechNet service were missing some of their product-license keys. It turns out this wasn't a bug; it's a "feature," according to Microsoft.
Less than a week ago, Microsoft blogger Paul Thurrott mentioned a supposed TechNet bug, via which subscribers to Microsoft's TechNet service were missing some of their product-license keys.
It turns out this wasn't a bug; it's a "feature," according to Microsoft.
Thurrott updated his September 19 blog post, noting the change in terms of service were intentional, not an accident. The Register followed up yesterday, noting the quiet change, and claiming the move was done without notice.
I asked Microsoft why it had reduced the number of product-license keys available to TechNet subscribers and told it was primarily a piracy-prevention issue.
If you sign up for a TechNet Professional subscription you now get five product keys. If you sign up for TechNet Standard, you get two. TechNet subscribers previously got 10 product keys as part of their subscription price.
A TechNet Standard subscription costs $199 ($149 for an upgrade). A Professional subscription costs $349 ($249 for a renewal). For customer who want media included, the price of a TechNet subscription is $599 ($499 for a renewal). TechNet subscribers get access to Windows, Office, SharePoint, CRM, ERP and a wide range of other Microsoft software as part of the licensing fee.
When I asked about the change in the number of keys, a Microsoft spokesperson mailed me the following statement:
"Microsoft is committed to helping prevent software piracy, which often results in end users being the victims of software counterfeiters. Counterfeiters abuse product keys to create fake software packages and distribute these to the public. These packages are not licensed, do not have support, and can also include malware and spyware.
"Therefore, Microsoft has decided to limit the number of product keys available through TechNet Subscriptions, for all products, to five for TechNet Professional and two for TechNet Standard. TechNet Subscriptions is intended to support software trial and evaluation, versus a production environment. We offer other programs for volume purchasing and installation. We believe this change maintains a sufficient number of product keys for the majority of our customers based on usage data, while greatly reducing the overall risk of piracy and counterfeiting. We apologize for any inconvenience or confusion this action may have caused our subscribers."
Anybody out there caught unaware by Microsoft's move? Do you buy the argument that fewer keys are plenty?
Update: Microsoft officials said the company is not cutting the number of product keys provided to its MSDN licensees.
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Talkback
RE: Microsoft quietly cuts number of product keys available to TechNet subscribers
Typical M$ greed
Get less
Slip it in
And don't tell ya about it.
Reply
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RE: Microsoft quietly cuts number of product keys available to TechNet subscribers
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RE: Microsoft quietly cuts number of product keys available to TechNet subscribers
I couldn't agree more. It's pervasive now, especially in this economy. People want to give less but get more. People like this need to learn the abundance mentality and then reciprocity will prevail.
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RE: Microsoft quietly cuts number of product keys available to TechNet subscribers
RE: Microsoft quietly cuts number of product keys available to TechNet subscribers
RE: Microsoft quietly cuts number of product keys available to TechNet subscribers
I think it's actually reasonable that you get only 2 licences for each version of Windows for the standard subscription ($199), since the intention is that they are for evaluation purposes only. Do you really need more than two copies of each version if you're only evaluating it? That being said, I don't think it's fair that the terms changed half-way through my subscription. I'm not sure I would have subscribed (Standard subscription) if I knew I was only getting two licences per version.
Next time...
Which TechNet subscription did you end up buying?
Just curious.
@zealot: Do I look like someone who sees serfdom as a valid option?
Got it
So you are complaining about something that doesn't affect you. Just wanted to clarify. Thanks!
@Zealot I'm defintely NOT complaining about Microsoft in fact I'm loving it
I'm complaining about <b>bad citizens</b> who by neglecting their own rights make it worse for the rest of us.
I was simply asking for clarification
And you clarified that you were complaining about something that didn't affect you. Thanks again!
@Zealot: Are you dumb? Of course ut affects me!
If their non-citizen behavior makes it worse for me then it affects me. Is it so hard to understand?
RE: Microsoft quietly cuts number of product keys available to TechNet subscribers
"Rights", at least in the U.S., are only defined and protected between the government and the individual. There are not, and never have been, "rights" in private business transactions.
@aep528: I'll try not to forget that if I meet you
With friends like you Microsoft needs no enemies.
Jabberspeak
[i]"Rights", at least in the U.S., are only defined and protected between the government and the individual. There are not, and never have been, "rights" in private business transactions. [/i]
<small>[...]</small>
[i]It's not illegal. It may be a violation of the TOS, but, as Microsoft is not the government, by definition is it not illegal.[/i]
Beyond the jabberspeak of "rights" and "illegalities" versus "violations" and broken promises, you do get what he is getting at, right? Or are you a numb nut lawyer by chance?
RE: Microsoft quietly cuts number of product keys available to TechNet subscribers
Does anyone have a copy of the fine print? Makes you wonder what else you've agreed to.
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