Collapse this image  | Intellectual property includes ideas and creative expressions that may have commercial value. These items are intangible and not easily defined or identified by their physical parameters. Therefore, they are copyrighted. A copyright is an intellectual property right (IPR) and is protected by international copyright laws. IPRs include copyrights, trademarks, and patents. These laws enable the owners of the intellectual property to decide who can access and use their property and to protect it from unauthorized use. |
| A software license provides the legal right to install, use, access, display, run, or otherwise interact with a software program. A license does not necessarily include the rights to media, manuals, or support. Software use is determined by the Microsoft Software License Terms. When you obtain a software license, you must agree to those terms to use the software. License enforcement and compliance protects a software developer's investment in his or her intellectual property. As a user, correct compliance guarantees that your use of the software is covered by the terms of the license. Correct compliance also protects you from pirated and potentially corrupted or malfunctioning software. In addition, when obtaining your license, you frequently can select to receive technical services and support to maximize your investment. | Collapse this image  |
Collapse this image  | Volume licensing
(http://www.microsoft.com/licensing)
makes it easier and more affordable to run software on many devices in a single licensing organization. By obtaining software licenses through Microsoft Volume Licensing programs, you only pay for the software license. Boxed software, on the other hand, includes media (the CD-ROM or DVD), a user's guide, and other packaging items. Eliminating these physical costs and purchasing licenses in volume frequently reduces cost and provides more customized licensing options and improved software management. Depending on the Volume Licensing program that you select, you may receive media. But you can also decide to download or otherwise obtain media (or supplemental media), documentation, and product support separately as needed |
| Software Assurance
(http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/software-assurance/default.aspx)
is offered by Microsoft to provide comprehensive maintenance that can help you get the most out of your software investment. The latest software is combined with benefits such as telephone support, partner services, training, and IT tools. You can include Software Assurance when you buy the licenses and you can start to use your benefits immediately and for the term of your coverage. | Collapse this image  |
Collapse this image  | When you participate in a Microsoft Volume Licensing program, you must accept a license agreement between your organization and Microsoft. This license agreement defines the Software License Terms. For example, it determines whether the software can be installed on more than one device or other device, and for how long it can be used. When you buy and install new software, you must accept the license agreement to legally use that software. You should understand the content of license agreements and the differences between specific licensing programs. |
Collapse this image  | Microsoft Volume Licensing agreements include references to specific rights to use any earlier versions of licensed Microsoft software. These rights are frequently known as "downgrade rights". Microsoft makes a distinction between the term "version" and "edition" when they refer to product licenses. The term "edition" means different functional offerings in a product family that are usually released at the same time (that is, Office Professional Plus 2010 and Office Standard 2010). The term "version" refers to different generations of a product family, such as Office 2007 and Office 2010. Downgrade rights between the current generation (N), the prior generation (N-1) and the generation earlier than that (N-2) are limited to the same functional editions within each version (that is, Windows 7 Enterprise downgrades to Windows Vista Enterprise). Note These FAQs and answers are from the PUR Explained PDF document (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/confirmation.aspx?id=3497) . For more information, also see Media Fulfillment (http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/existing-customers/fulfillment.aspx) and Downgrade Rights Brief. (http://download.microsoft.com/download/6/8/9/68964284-864D-4A6D-AED9-F2C1F8F23E14/DOWNGRADE_RIGHTS.DOCX) |
Keywords: | kbinfo kbsurveynew kbhowto kbsmbportal KB2808203 |
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