Very bad news for the internet cafes :-(

[kornjulio]

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Hello everyone,

Microsoft recently rolled-out the Microsoft Software Rental Agreement for Internet Cafés. A total of 40 Internet Cafes have already signed-up and are now currently enjoying and will continue to enjoy the benefits for signing the agreement. However, there are still some Internet Café owners who are confused with the Microsoft Software Rental Agreement for Internet Cafes.

For the benefit of all, if you read the End-User License Agreement (EULA) of every Microsoft Operating Systems… it is stated in section 4: No Rental. You may not rent, lease, lend or provide commercial hosting services to third parties with the Product. So, if you let others use your PC and charge them for it then you are in violation of this provision.

That said, it seems that every internet cafe in the world is in violation of the EULA.

Microsoft is aware of this dilemma naturally. Each country is addressing this issue. That’s the reason why we launched the "Microsoft Software Rental Agreement for Internet Cafes" here in the Philippines.

Does signing up cost internet cafes more? NO. If you already own legal copies of Windows and Office, all one needs to do is contact Microsoft MDP and sign up. It is not additional licensing. This is our way of protecting our local Internet Cafes given the existing provisions in the EULA.

Microsoft MDP would also like to clarify that you can still sign-up even if you’re using Microsoft Operating Systems other that Windows XP. Internet Cafés can still sign-up even if they are not fully licensed as long as they declare the number of Licensed Software and the specific Microsoft Software used inside the Internet Café.

It is our pleasure to inform you that, Microsoft will keep the agreement confidential between Microsoft and the signatory Internet Café. Hence, Microsoft is hands-off when the Business Software Alliance (BSA) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conduct raids.

Again, this is not additional cost or licensing to the internet cafe. This is just like making sure you are covered and protected by the addendum/annex to the EULA. Note that this is indeed for Internet Cafe's where revenue is borne from the rental of machines that have Windows/Office on them.

Microsoft MDP would like to invite Internet Café Owners to attend a 1-hour presentation on Microsoft Licensing and An Overview of Microsoft Software Rental Agreement for Internet Cafes on August 4, 2005 at 2:00 P.M. in Microsoft MDP’s office at Unit 1001, Metrobank Plaza, Fuente, Osmeña Blvd., Cebu City

Should you have further clarifications, please feel free to call Microsoft MDP at 253-5056 or 412-6247 or send an email to i-anvill@microsoft.com.

Thank you.

[Stoner]

Sooner or later Microsoft will make some sort of money-making venture out of this.

as usual its always the consumers who are most affected.

[chagorio]

hahay.....faet na ani woi...palit na sad ta ug software na orig.....mayta i package na lang ta na nila
tanang microsoft softwares woi aron di mahal......palit pa ta ug lic. na Microsoft OS den palit pa jud ta ug MS Office........sige lang sila pangwarta pero problema sa spyware ug adware di sila katabang...wew

[kornjulio]

Download the latest Microsoft Anti-spyware! It is more than an anti-spyware! I assure you. And by the way, Microsoft is not all about making money out of it. If Microsoft does not exist, would you learn to use a computer? Would you have an intercafe business? There is alway a premium service returned for every penny you pay in Microsoft. Your Potential. Our Passion.

[Wind Shear]

How about Apple kornjulio?

[akunih]

Microsoft doesnt care about apple... if you luv apple then go for it... but if apple frustrates you then go back to Windows and he'll welcome you with open arms! thats it...

peace out!

[gsirk]

do you get Microsoft poster tshirts and stickers when you sign up? (even if you dont own an internet cafe?)

[akunih]

ngeek unsaon pagpasign up sa microsoft nimo na wa man kay internet cafe.... u must have an internet cafe using genuine OS to avail the program!

[RedSwan]

naa nay baligya apple dapit sa banilad town center.

[seekenneth]

use Linux!!! peace