Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

We all know that Microsoft has a habit of taking some of the ideas that Apple put into Mac OS X and putting them into Windows.  Just look at Spotlight and the Search in the start menu.  Windows 7 even takes a few cues from the Dock in OS X, even if it merges those ideas with the Windows tradition of the menu bar.  The list could go on, and now the list may include OS licensing.

It seems that somewhere within the latest leaked build of Windows 7 there is text in the licensing agreement that alludes to a family pack.  It reads, “if you are a ‘Qualified Family Pack User’, you may install one copy of the software marked as ‘Family Pack’ on three computers in your household for use by people who reside there.”  Looks pretty definitive there, unless it was added to throw us off.  However,  it’s doubtful that the text would be added just to throw off those who use the leaked versions.

There’s obviously no word on pricing yet, since there has been no official release or statement about the family packs.  It looks like Microsoft might finally be realizing that businesses aren’t the only customers that require more than one license of Windows.  Though there’s always the chance that the family packs won’t sell all that well.  Microsoft has always had an issue with piracy, and why buy three licenses of Home Premium when you could pirate Ultimate or find a friend who can get you a Professional license?  We wouldn’t condone any of those practices, but there’s a good chance they’ll continue with Windows 7.

Read [CNet News]