Microsoft has licensing options for partners who want to provide Windows in virtual desktop settings, but those options apparently don't cover the OnLive service as it exists today. Hosted instances of Windows 7 can be provided in a virtual desktop infrastructure setting when the end users—the people using the desktops—have licenses from Microsoft, Matz writes.
Additionally, hosting vendors with Microsoft's Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) "may bring some desktop-like functionality as a service by using Windows Server and Remote Desktop Services." Using the SPLA lets vendors offer the desktop-like service to any customers, even if they don't have licenses to Windows. But OnLive's service doesn't qualify, Microsoft said. "SPLA does not support delivery of Windows 7 as a hosted client or provide the ability to access Office as a service through Windows 7. Office may only be provided as a service if it is hosted on Windows Server and Remote Desktop Services."
The Windows 7 instance provided by OnLive includes Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2010, in an almost-complete Windows 7 desktop. One thing it seems to be missing is the ability to check the Windows 7 license status. However, users can check the office 2010 download license. That has a product key and states that the software is licensed to "OnLive Desktop User" and "OnLive Desktop Service."
Gaming company OnLive (see our 2010 review of their streaming games service) recently launched a service bringing a Windows 7 desktop, complete with Microsoft Office 2010, to iPad and Android tablets. The free app, which also has a subscription service with features designed for both consumers and enterprises, gives iPad users access to the real version of Microsoft office 2010—not just to a program compatible with Office files. It also has the ability to run Adobe Flash content in Internet Explorer.
There's just one problem: Microsoft says it's not properly licensed. The software giant is apparently asking OnLive for some cash in exchange for the right to continue the service, which is still working today.
"We are actively engaged with OnLive with the hope of bringing them into a properly licensed scenario, and we are committed to seeing this issue is resolved," said Microsoft's Joe Matz, VP of worldwide licensing and pricing, in a blog post today. OnLive Desktop launched for the iPad on January 10 of this year. An Android tablet version was released a week ago.
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