Microsoft says Office 2013 licensing is nothing new

Not a fan of this nonsense and unless they loosen these license restrictions back to the full package version in the next office offering, 2010 will be my last purchase. Probably should slowly start using Open/Libre Office when I can anyway.

Isn't it tied to the motherboard not the Mac address?

What identifying ID on the motherboard could it be feasibly tied to other than the MAC address? The MAC address is burned onto the NIC, which is normally soldered onto the motherboard, and is very easy to check.

It's my understanding that the identifying element is not simply tied to one motherboard component. The MAC address maybe one of the components used but may not be the only component used to identify the motherboard. Correct me if I'm wrong; but would this not be rendered useless, if the motherboards NIC was disabled in the BIOS.

There is always a way around something... maybe they have a backup option lol

Motherboards have serial numbers. http://service.msicomputer.com/msi_user/MSI_barcode_info.asp

Yep, it's the motherboard, as long as it's the same series. Source: http://download.microsoft.com/downl.../OEMSoftwareLicensingRulesandRestrictions.pdf

The EU should just ban MS rubbish outright and be done with it.

I don't agree with some of these "take it or leave it" software licensing terms because at the end of the day, if you piss-off the consumer people are bound to look for alternatives.

If there is a problem when actication, call the activation line and tell them you've reinstalled windows because you had a virus and they will allow you to reactivate.

Where this sort of stuff really hurts is in developing countries. We are a charity working hard to advance education - often giving kids their first experience of even using a computer because they, and the communities they live in, are too poor to be able to buy one. The computers we donate are not new and consequently need to be replaced fairly regularly so transferability of software is essential. We will have to start installing Open Source software instead of Microsoft. Consequently it will be Microsoft that loses out in the longer term as our students will grow up using a different product, which they will most likely stick with in the future (when they do have earning and spending potential as a result of the education they have received).

Why does Microsoft have to make having a piece of software or an operating system such a pain in the a$$?

I Agree!!!

Parents that choose to go with open source, have kids that are in the same position as your students. Microsoft had better quit burning bridges today, if they want people to use their product tomorrow.

I don't suppose MS is too worried about developing countries as they must suffer from pirate versions of their products.