As of January 1, 2022, commercial customers won't be able to buy new or renew software licenses or online services through the Microsoft Open License program. New license-only purchases should be transacted through partners in the Cloud Solution Provider program.
Summary :
- Microsoft Cloud Solution Provider (CSP) partners will be the partners that will offer perpetual licenses after the end of the Open License program. Perpetual licenses are pay-once, non-subscription licenses that don't expire.
- If organizations are using Software Assurance (SA) with those perpetual licenses, which lets them migrate to the latest software release, then they'll only be able to buy SA through a program different from the Open License program in 2022.
- Some Open License program participants may have purchased "tokens" to use Microsoft's online services. Those tokens will remain active for five years from the purchase date.
Are you currently a Microsoft Open License user and want to know how this news will impact your organization or future acquisitions?
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