legal updates
Monday, 29 Jan 2007
microsoft vista steps up security measures
Windows Vista is officially launched in Edinburgh by Bill Gates tomorrow, Tuesday 30th January 2007. As with all new operating systems from Microsoft, it is inevitable that the majority of businesses will adopt this system over the next few years. However, the licence which has been published for Vista has some new provisions which are causing some concern for more sophisticated users. Here a few of the highlights:
- Disabling functionality: Microsoft specifies a number of prohibited things. Your version of Vista is programmed to contact Microsoft regularly to “validate” your licence usage. Should Vista report anything prohibited or be unable to contact Microsoft, it can (a) disable your version of Vista, (b) limit its functionality, and/or (c) prevent updates.
- Virtual computers: Vista will only work with limited functionality if installed as a virtual machine. A special version will be available to facilitate this. Each virtual computer is treated as a separate device, and the new monitoring system in Vista will ensure that each edition of Vista may only be installed on one device.
- Automatic updates: Vista will automatically update itself. The licence terms of such updates are automatically incorporated into the licence agreement.
These issues can cause problems for businesses which require:
- Guaranteed availability (due to disabling functionality)
- High performance requirements (processing time used up by Vista’s licence checks)
- Use of virtual computers (due to limiting of functionality)
Although many users will have to upgrade their hardware to use Vista, the impact of these security measures will, for the majority, only operate to prevent piracy. Nevertheless, all businesses should be aware of the impact these licensing terms may have on them. The licence could conflict with other contractual obligations and their systems may have to be changed before the move is made to upgrade to Vista. Some of the problems highlighted above can be solved by purchasing one of the more advanced versions of Vista, but these new features are likely to see even more users moving towards open source and online applications, and many see Vista as the last big launch for Microsoft.