Microsoft said it is providing free software licenses for Microsoft software on computers to non-profit organizations as well as independent media in 12 countries that are known to be problem regions for illegal reproduction of applications.

The company’s “unilateral software license” applies to Microsoft software that is “already installed” on a PC on users who are part of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and small, independent media in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam.

The program essentially legalizes pirated copies of Microsoft software until January 1, 2012 via a document that can be printed from the web. Microsoft did not say what will happen after that date, but noted that the USL is extended from the standard NGO donation program, which will enable those organizations to keep their software “up to date and secure.”

The qualification levels are relatively low. The government share has to be less than 10% and “must operate on a not-for-profit basis and have a mission to benefit the local community. Eligible organizations may also include small, independent media, or others that hold a local public communication license, are members of a local media association, or are recognized by an international media organization,” Microsoft said.

Those who qualify can also request additional software donations from Microsoft.

[[microsoft office]]

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.