The twists and turns of Office Web Apps software license [Video]

Microsoft’s Office 2010 Web Apps license should raise eyebrows and give IT managers headaches — but what else is new?

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As if managing software license compliance wasn’t already complicated enough. The situation is likely to only worsen as software vendors experiment with new distribution and delivery models, including cloud computing. Case in point, the hybrid cloud/on-premise license for Microsoft’s forthcoming Office Web Apps.

Enterprises typically license desktop software on a per-computer or per-head basis. Either way, the bottom line is clear: Each installed copy of the software must have a valid license (and many packages verify their own compliance over the network). License terms for server-based software can be more complex, but managing compliance is fairly easy, as only properly licensed users are able to login to access the software.

Problems arise when software vendors experiment with hybrid models that combine aspects of cloud computing and traditional desktop software. Microsoft will be wading …