Technet Plus changed and Reduced number of Keys to 5

jimbo45 · 23 Sep 2010

Hi all
Thanks for outlining that.

This is my LAST post on this as it probably has been done to death - but we are mixing up TWO different issues here.

1) Whether the change in policy will actually affect anybody -- probably NOT if the software is being used as it is intended to be --it's not meant to be a cheap way of equipping your whole family with W7.

2) CHANGING a contract during the life time of that contract.

As for 1 the issue here is irrelevant -- MS owns the intellectual rights and can do what it sees fit with them.

The main issue I see it is that if companies can CHANGE conditions at will of a contract you've paid and signed up to then the whole essence of Commercial Law and what Customers can expect from companies when they sign up to deals is now questionable.

I have NO probs at all WITH the new policy -- just in HOW it was implemented -

Anyway that's the last comment I'm making on this issue.

Cheers
jimbo

24c · 23 Sep 2010

Agreed jimbo, not so much what was done, but how it was done.

Nickmix · 23 Sep 2010

jimbo. I agree, annoying and incomprehensible policy.

Dark Nova Gamer · 23 Sep 2010

Got my email from them.

TechNet said:

Dear Steven.

Thank you for your email.
The reduction of the keys provided on the Technet Download portal has been implemented by Microsoft from September 15, 2010 as additional security measures across subscription programs. Consequently the new policy in place enables access to a maximum of 5 keys for the Retail product for your Technet Professional subscription.
We did not take away any keys. Just the amount of keys available “ad hoc” via the portal has been reduced, all previously claimed keys are still available.
The reduction is due to an updated antipiracy policy. More information will be made available for all customers soon.

Please keep in mind that subscription keys are for testing and evaluation only.
If you have to de-/re-install test software frequently, you are welcome to do your installations without activation (= no key required). The majority of products will work for 30 or more days without any activation / key requirement at all.
If you have got further queries please feel free to contact us again. We wish you a good day.

Kind regards
Anette Löchte

Microsoft TechNet Program
mailto: technet@eu.subservices.com

For future contacts please use our webforms at https://microsoft.eu.subservices.com...ilcontact.aspx or for information about your subscription visit http://eu.technet.microsoft.com

west3man · 23 Sep 2010

This is becoming (or has long been) a trend. It reminds me of AT&T saying the iPad 3G users could have a $30, unlimited, no contract Internet access,...then eliminated the plan 30+ days after the debut of the 3G iPad.

Bait n switch.

Dirty tricks all around.

Nickmix · 23 Sep 2010

I wonder what they intend to make a subscription to MSDN? Also cut keys? I think not, but in fact can be.

pparks1 · 23 Sep 2010

jimbo45 said:

but this MISSES THE POINT.

You sign a CONTRACT with Conditions XXXXX.

I've asked this question numerous times, but nobody has actually answered it for me. When you signed up...was there anything in print, or writing that stated that you got 10 keys? Did they actually mention the number that you were getting when you signed up....or was it just something you knew, or found out about once into the program.

Without a doubt, I'm not missing the point that you guys are making. But I don't think this type of change entitles people to money back or waiting until the contract expires because the change is insignificant and likely to not impact anybody. I mean people went from 100 possible activates to 20. However, they probably haven't used more than 5 for their own home personal testing. If they are using more than this, they are likely in violation of the terms of the software agreement anyway.

Nickmix said:

I wonder what they intend to make a subscription to MSDN? Also cut keys? I think not, but in fact can be.

Well, MSDN is a different program. It's intended for developers and the software can actually be used in a production manner...as long as it's used by people who also have MSDN subscriptions. MSDN is also far more costly. The cheapest MSDN package is the operating system subscription which ONLY gets you access to the client workstations and the Windows server platforms and it's $700. Unlike Technet, this does NOT include Office, Exchange, SQL, ISA, SMS, Visio, etc. The next version of MSDN is Visual Studio Professional and that is $1,200.

So, I don't think there are many who purchase copies of MSDN in order to save money on their home installations.

I currently have an MSDN Visual Studio Ultimate account as part of my job...and with it, I get 20 license keys for Windows 7 (of which I have claimed 1) and with Windows Server 2008 R2, I only get 2 keys....but they are Multiple Activation Keys and I'm unsure of what the actual install and activation limit # is. I've only retrieved one key for this as well.

echrada · 23 Sep 2010

As all the rhetoric in the world isn't going to change the TechNet situation let's bury it.

PS I did get a full refund and an apology.

z3r010 · 23 Sep 2010

Full refund.........hmmmm

/me runs to harvest all the keys, get a refund and then sign up again

Dark Nova Gamer · 23 Sep 2010

z3r010 said:

Full refund.........hmmmm

/me runs to harvest all the keys, get a refund and then sign up again

Do they not blacklist your keys after canceling your subscription?