Microsoft plans to release a "family pack" version of its
Windows 7 operating system.
Family pack versions of Windows 7 can be installed on three
computers in a single household, according to licensing terms in a
leaked copy of the operating system, which is due for release next
year.
Microsoft has declined to comment on the discovery reported by
Canadian blogger
Kristan Kenney, who found a reference to a "family pack" in a
Windows 7 Home Premium licence agreement.
According to Kenney, the installation and use rights state, "If
you are a Qualified Family Pack User, you may install one copy of
the software marked as Family Pack on three computers in your
household for use by people who reside there."
But the provision appears to apply only to the Home Premium
edition. The family pack reference is not included in the
Professional and Ultimate editions, Kenney said.
The more flexible licensing agreement will be a marked departure
from Microsoft's one licence per computer policy, if the software
firm goes ahead with the plan.
A family pack option, would however, bring Microsoft in line
with Apple licensing for its
Mac OS X
operating system, which allows for up to five computers per
household.