software licensing Archives

Winsage

April 23, 2026

Microsoft faces court battle in £2bn Windows Server class action

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has approved a £2 billion class action against Microsoft, aimed at compensating approximately 59,000 businesses using the Windows Server operating system in non-Microsoft public clouds. The collective action, led by Maria Luisa Stasi, alleges that Microsoft has overcharged UK entities for Windows Server on competing cloud services. The tribunal dismissed Microsoft's objections and granted a Collective Proceedings Order on an opt-out basis. The class action addresses two main issues: pricing abuse related to the Microsoft Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) and re-licensing abuse concerning the deployment of Windows Server on Azure versus other cloud providers. The UK Competition and Markets Authority is also investigating Microsoft's software licensing practices within the cloud market. James Hain-Cole from law firm Scott+Scott expressed satisfaction with the tribunal's decision, emphasizing its significance for securing compensation for affected businesses.

Winsage

April 22, 2026

“For years, Microsoft’s practices have had real financial impact on both public and private organizations” – Microsoft faces new legal challenge over licensing practices

Microsoft is facing a £2 billion lawsuit in the UK, led by competition lawyer Maria Luisa Stasi, representing nearly 60,000 businesses that claim the company imposes excessive charges for using Windows Server on competing cloud platforms. The allegations focus on higher licensing fees for organizations using services like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud Platform, and Alibaba Cloud compared to those using Microsoft’s Azure. The lawsuit has been allowed to proceed on an opt-out basis by the Tribunal. Microsoft plans to appeal the decision and asserts that its business model promotes competition. The case is part of broader scrutiny of Microsoft's licensing practices, with investigations also initiated by the UK Competition and Markets Authority and the European Commission, as well as inquiries in Brazil, Switzerland, the United States, and Japan.

Winsage

March 4, 2026

Stolen Office and Windows keys land Florida woman with 22 months in prison

Heidi Richards has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for trafficking stolen Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA) labels through her e-commerce business, "Trinity Software Distribution." She has also been ordered to pay a ,000 fine. The COA labels are issued by Microsoft to verify software authenticity and are not meant to be sold separately. Between July 2018 and January 2023, Richards and her associates procured tens of thousands of genuine Windows 10 and Microsoft Office COA labels, generating ,148,181.50 in revenue by selling extracted product key codes globally.

Winsage

October 30, 2025

Microsoft Quest Mixed Reality Link Finally Goes Public

Microsoft and Meta have launched the Mixed Reality Link for Windows 11 and Meta Quest headsets, making it accessible to all users and enhancing workspace flexibility and cross-platform integration. The mixed reality market is projected to reach billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 34.26%. Users need a Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S headset and Windows 11 22H2 or newer to utilize the integration, which simplifies setup with a QR code and allows for easy reconnection. Users can create up to three virtual monitors, improving remote work experiences and reducing hardware costs for enterprises. The Quest 3 offers better resolution than the Quest 3S, and the passthrough capability allows users to stay aware of their surroundings while working. Current challenges include issues with Teams calls and the need for wired input devices, with plans for wireless support in future updates. The Mixed Reality Link is free to use, facilitating pilot programs for enterprises. Microsoft's strategy includes partnerships beyond Meta, aiming to provide a platform-agnostic productivity solution. The collaboration is expected to lead to built-in features on Windows and Quest devices, enhancing mixed reality capabilities and democratizing access as 5G networks develop.

Winsage

March 10, 2025

Get Windows 11 on Your Mac (Apple Silicon): Here’s How

Parallels Desktop is a Microsoft-authorized virtualization software that allows users to install and run Windows 11 on Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3, M4 chips). It is optimized for these processors, ensuring a fast and responsive experience. The installation process is straightforward, requiring users to download and install the software, which automates the Windows 11 setup. Key features include seamless integration between macOS and Windows, allowing file sharing and access to applications across both operating systems without rebooting. Parallels Desktop offers a 14-day free trial, after which users can choose between subscription plans or a one-time purchase. The software is designed to maximize performance for Apple Silicon Macs, making it suitable for various users, including professionals and students.

Winsage

March 4, 2025

Four times Windows Server costs? Method in the Microsoft

Microsoft opposes regulatory intervention requests from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google regarding its software licensing practices, which the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has flagged as potentially harmful to competition in the cloud computing sector. Microsoft charges clients using its software in non-Azure environments significantly more—up to four times than those using Azure—leading AWS and Google to argue this pricing structure disadvantages them. The CMA has noted Microsoft's ability to limit access to its software for competitors, which Microsoft contests as an infringement on its intellectual property rights. Google has referred to Microsoft's additional costs as a "software tax," and research indicates that European customers have faced overcharges due to Microsoft's licensing policies. In 2023, AWS held nearly 50% of the UK's cloud market share, while Microsoft held between 30 to 40%, and Google Cloud remained a distant third. The CMA is evaluating whether to use its digital markets powers to address identified barriers, with a final decision expected later this year.