Just three weeks ago HEXUS readers were getting very shirty about a change in Microsoft’s Office licensing agreement; of course it was a change in Microsoft’s favour. The licensing tweaks, which users agreed to upon installing the latest version of Office, “permanently assigned” the software to that computer. If you were ever to get a new computer for any reason other than your “PC failed under warranty”, you would need to buy a new copy of Office.
Even a vole will turn
In a blog post today Jevon Fark, from the Microsoft Office Team announced a turnaround. Fark wrote “Based on customer feedback we have changed the Office 2013 retail license agreement to allow customers to transfer the software from one computer to another.” He went into further detail to explain “This means customers can transfer Office 2013 to a different computer if their device fails or they get a new one. Previously, customers could only transfer their Office 2013 software to a new device if their PC failed under warranty.”
If you already sold your soul – don’t worry
Even if you have already bought Office 2013, installed, agreed to the draconian license and then started using the software the new licensing terms are effective immediately for your software. The new licensing amendment applies to these software products; “applies to Office Home and Student 2013, Office Home and Business 2013, Office Professional 2013 and the standalone Office 2013 applications”.
Legal eagles may like to have a look at the updated text of the transferability provision, so I have quoted it in full below:
- Updated transferability provision to the Retail License Terms of the Software License Agreement for Microsoft Office 2013 Desktop Application Software:
- Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may transfer the software to another computer that belongs to you, but not more than one time every 90 days (except due to hardware failure, in which case you may transfer sooner). If you transfer the software to another computer, that other computer becomes the "licensed computer." You may also transfer the software (together with the license) to a computer owned by someone else if a) you are the first licensed user of the software and b) the new user agrees to the terms of this agreement before the transfer. Any time you transfer the software to a new computer, you must remove the software from the prior computer and you may not retain any copies.
The turnaround is a sensible move by Microsoft. There are cheaper, or even free, alternatives to its Office suite and accurate file compatibility, an oft repeated reason for sticking with Microsoft, is getting better all the time. The Office blog doesn’t mention this fact in explaining the U-turn though, instead Jevon Fark writes “A key ingredient in our formula for success is listening to our customers, and we're grateful for the feedback behind this change in Office licensing. Thank you.”
