Renting Windows 7, Vista and XP via Rental Rights

As of January 1st, 2010, Microsoft is allowing customers to rent its Windows client as opposite to buying licenses. The move is a first for the Redmond company, which has been testing scenarios in which its software products were made available for renting in select markets around the world for the past years. Microsoft Rental Rights Licensing became available worldwide as of the first day of this year, with Microsoft managing to keep all but completely mum on the new option to license not only Windows 7, but also Windows Vista and Windows XP.

According to the software giant, the introduction of Rental Rights means that the old licensing limitations associated with Windows are no longer valid. Neither the company, nor partner companies could rent, lease, or outsource Windows to a third party before January 1st, 2010.

“As a result, many organizations that rent, lease, or outsource desktop PCs to third parties (such as Internet cafés, hotel and airport kiosks, business service centers, and office equipment leasing companies) are not compliant with Microsoft license requirements,” Microsoft explained. “Rental Rights are a simple way for organizations to get a waiver of these licensing restrictions through a one-time license transaction valid for the term of the underlying software license or life of the PC. Solidify your role as trusted advisor by helping your customers become compliant using an additive license that fits their business model—without requiring special tools, processes, reporting, or paperwork.”

There are no less than three versions of the Windows client currently available to customers worldwide through Rental Rights, namely Windows 7 Professional, Windows Vista Business and Windows XP Professional. However, customers will only be able to take advantage of the flexibility synonymous with renting Windows as opposite to buying it in terms of costs, buy opting for an additive license to Microsoft Open License, Select License, and Select Plus Volume Licensing agreements.

“Here are the three simple steps to rent, lease, or outsource PCs with Microsoft Windows: acquire PCs with Windows licenses from an OEM, reseller, MAR, PC retailer as a FPP, or through the Get Genuine Windows program. Acquire a one-time Rental Rights for a Windows license for every PC to be rented, leased, or outsourced with licensed, qualifying Windows software. Rent, lease, or outsource PCs with Windows software with no ongoing payments or reporting for the term of the underlying software agreement or the life of the PCs,” revealed Eric Ligman, Global Partner Experience Lead Microsoft Worldwide Partner Group.