Licensing for redistribution of Windows Critical Patches

[Bob Wahlen]

Hi,

We have members located in countries that have poor communication facilities
that do not allow for lengthy downloads.

We would like to provide a CD distribution service to our members containing
the Windows Critical updates for Win XP, 2000 & 98SE.

We participate in the Microsoft Select Program for our purchases of Windows
& Office products.

Do we need to sign a special license agreement with Microsoft to
redistribute these updates?

TIA for your help.

Bob Wahlen,
Computer Support Manager
ITS - JAARS, Inc.
PO Box 248
Waxhaw, NC 28173
(704) 843-6163
Bob_wahlen@sil.org

[Paul DeGroot]

I think this is a badly needed service (and would like to see MS itself
offer it). Even home users in the U.S. are unable to keep up with the
patches. Just try installing a new copy of Windows XP today. After you
get the SW installed you'll spend the next week (during which you
telephone won't be available for most of the time) downloading something
like 200 MB of service packs and patches.

As long as you are not reselling these patches in any way, I don't think
there would be a problem. It gets a bit dubious when you charge for a
service that provides "free" CDs with patches. But really, Microsoft's
only interest has to be ensuring that the patches are authentic copies
of MS's own patches. Having insecure computers around the world and
exposing customer data or accounts to danger is not in MS's interest.

Paul DeGroot
Licensing Analyst
Directions on Microsoft
Independent Research on Microsoft Strategies and Directions
www.directionsonmicrosoft.com


Bob Wahlen wrote: Hi, We have members located in countries that have poor communication facilities that do not allow for lengthy downloads. We would like to provide a CD distribution service to our members containing the Windows Critical updates for Win XP, 2000 & 98SE. We participate in the Microsoft Select Program for our purchases of Windows & Office products. Do we need to sign a special license agreement with Microsoft to redistribute these updates? TIA for your help. Bob Wahlen, Computer Support Manager ITS - JAARS, Inc. PO Box 248 Waxhaw, NC 28173 (704) 843-6163 Bob_wahlen@sil.org