Microsoft announces changes to DSP licence agreement

Microsoft has announced changes to the company`s OEM System Builder agreement that will clarify the requirements needed to build systems with legally installed and licensed Microsoft hardware and software. The revised agreement addresses software and hardware distribution rights and provides a clearer definition of a fully assembled computer system.

"The amendments to the agreement were made with the aim of providing System Builder partners with clarification on some of the terminology used in the agreement as well as the distribution rights around Delivery Service Product (DSP) software and hardware products," says Anton Jacobsz, OEM and SMB channel manager at Microsoft South Africa. "We hope that the amendments will play an important role in helping System Builders increase customer satisfaction levels."

Under the amended DSP licence agreement, System Builders are licensed to distribute desktop operating systems with a fully assembled computer system or a non-peripheral hardware component. Application and server programmes may only be distributed to an end-user accompanied with a fully assembled computer system.

The agreement also provides System Builders with a clear definition of a fully assembled computer system. In line with the amendments, a fully assembled computer system should consist of at least a central processing unit, a motherboard, a power supply and a case.

Further clarification is also provided on end-user support requirements. Under the DSP licence agreement, System Builders supplying installed software with a fully assembled computer system is responsible for the end-user support on the Software Unit.

For more information on the Microsoft OEM System Builder agreement, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/oem.