Microsoft has finally decided to make it possible to rent copies of Windows and Office, after a few years of continued research in different markets across the world.
"Windows desktop operating system and Microsoft Office system licenses do not permit renting, leasing, or outsourcing the software to a third party. As a result, many organizations that rent, lease, or outsource desktops PCs to third parties (such as Internet cafes, hotel and airport kiosks, business service centers, and office equipment leasing companies) are not compliant with Microsoft license requirements," the company noted online.
Furthermore, Microsoft added the rental SKUs to its official Product List for large orders of licenses. There is a special until the end of June that offers Office Professional for $58 (down from $83), Office Standard for $45 (normally $64), and Windows for $23 per license (normally $32).
Previously, the Microsoft End User License Agreement prohibited customers from renting software, but the company started testing the rental model in low-income markets that have high piracy. The company previously targeted some Internet cafes and kiosks for software piracy, but the task was too daunting and expensive.
This new business model Microsoft is using isn't meant as a way for consumers to avoid purchasing individual copies of software -- it's more for businesses and companies that offer the public PC access. Interested businesses need to pay a one-time fee -- not an annual fee, as some analysts expected -- so Microsoft and the businesses both mutually benefit from the new program.
