Ballmer: Don't Expect Simpler Licensing Soon

nk497 writes "Steve Ballmer has admitted Microsoft's licensing is too complicated and contains too much fine print, but has no plans to change it at the risk of angering shareholders — and even customers who benefit from the confusion. "I'm sure we have fine print we don't need. We're not saints," he said, adding that customers have a way of figuring out how to pay the least amount of cash possible to use Microsoft's software. "Customers always find an approach which pays us less money.""

Obligatory Open Source comment

[jo42]

customers have a way of figuring out how to pay the least amount of cash possible to use Microsoft's software

Yes. It's "Format C:" followed by installing some flavor of Linux and Open Office.

Re:MS licensing is very simple...

[Anonymous Coward]

buy it and you're fucked.

The polar opposite of FOSS; don't buy it and don't get fucked :)

5 Simple rules of Microsoft licensing

[jd2112]

Rule 1: You are out of compliance.
Rule 2; If you have reviewed your licenses and purchased additional licenses to cover any license shortages (plus additional licenses just to be safe), See rule #1.
Rule 3: If you think you understand Microsoft license agreemenents, you are either delirious or just not paying attention.
Rule 4: If you are a lawyer for Microsoft in charge of writing license agreements, see rule #3.
Rule 5: See rule #1.

Re:Obligatory Open Source comment

[o0u812]

customers have a way of figuring out how to pay the least amount of cash possible to use Microsoft's software

Yes. It's "Format C:" followed by installing some flavor of Linux and Open Office.

Ah yes, you must be referring to Microsoft's linux distro [mslinux.org].

Re:5 Simple rules of Microsoft licensing

[tsm_sf]

Crowley had been extremely impressed with the warranties offered by the computer industry, and had in fact sent a bundle Below to the department that drew up the Immortal Soul agreements, with a yellow memo form attached just saying: "Learn, guys."

- from Good Omens

BING

[Archangel Michael]

Bing = Bing Is Not Google!!!

Keep over charging

[1s44c]

Stop over charging for your software, and perhaps more people would buy it instead of pirating it.

They should keep overcharging to encourage their customers to look for cheaper and better alternatives.