Just in time for Black Friday and ensuing shopping frenzy weekend kick starting the 2008 holiday season, Microsoft offered Office 2007 the Home and Student edition at a discounted price of over 50%. The offer is still valid until the end of December 1, with the price of Office 2007 Home and Student edition down to just $69.99 from $149.95.


However, Microsoft delivered a wake up call to all potential customers, but especially businesses, indicating that although the deal was attractive, it was also meant for usage exclusively by home users.

“The answer is contained right in the name of the product… It is Microsoft Office HOME and STUDENT and no, it cannot be used in a business,” explained Eric Ligman, Global Partner Experience lead, Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group.

“Regardless of what any salesperson told you or what you may have heard from someone somewhere looking to separate you from your money, this is an absolute, guaranteed, no, it is not allowed answer. You can verify it for yourself by reading the Microsoft Software Licensing Terms for Microsoft Office Home and Student Edition.”

Of course, the $69.99 price is designed to offer nothing more than usage rights for the software. In this context, the license associated with Office 2007, the Home and Student SKU prohibit running the software in the context of “commercial, non-profit, or revenue generating business activities.” Ligman emphasized that the edition of Office 2007 with the discounted price was reserved for home use, and not for businesses.

“No tricky wording, no unreadable legalese, just plain and simple, it is licensed for installation in your home and NOT for use in any commercial, non-profit, or revenue generating business activities. It is the edition for HOME and STUDENT use, NOT business use,” Ligman added.