Microsoft To Enforce Volume License Key Compliance For Vista And Longhorn

Wednesday, 28 June 2006 by Michel Roth

Enterprise customers can forget about the honor system Microsoft has in place for reporting Windows licenses they consume.

Starting with the release of Vista and "Longhorn" Windows server next year, customers will be required to register their volume license keys (VLK) with Microsoft within 30 days of acquisition and report their license usage on a monthly basis, executives said.

Microsoft is developing key management servers and changing the licensing process for the next generation Windows client and server, executives confirmed recently.

At Tech Ed 2006, Ward Ralston, a senior technology product manager for Microsoft, confirmed the company is "introducing the notion of a key management server" for Windows "Longhorn" Server that will gives volume licensed customers a 30-day validation period to register their license keys. Customers must check in every 30 days to update the licenses used.

According to sources familiar with the plan, Microsoft's key management server would keep track of the active CALs and servers customers deployed and send an audit report in every 30 day.

Read more at CRN.com