For those who still wonder about the truth of such a program, perhaps this marketing communication by Microsoft will dispel all doubts :
Goal : Maintain sales of Windows Vista PCs before Windows 7 GA (General Availability) and drive strong Windows 7 sales.
Strategy : Market Windows 7 when product is available for purchase
June 18 - June 26, 2009 : No proactive Windows 7 end user marketing or use of Microsoft-provided Windows 7 visual assets.
June 26 - October 21, 2009 : Continue to offer Windows Vista and use only the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program marketing elements provided by Microsoft. OEMs are to actively promote the Windows 7 Upgrade Option Program to end users who are in the purchase consideration phase. They are also to promote quantity-limited and time-limited Windows 7 Full Package Product (FPP) pre-order offer using Microsoft-provided Windows 7 visual assets.
October 22, 2009 onwards : Actively promote Windows 7 to end users using Microsoft-provided visual assets and messaging.
OEMs may not distribute systems licensed with any Windows 7 products until October 22, 2009. They also may not take pre-orders or make pre-sales of Windows 7 systems prior to 3 days before the Windows 7 GA (General Availability) date, which is again on October 22, 2009.