Beare

Microsoft has developed multiple licensing programs, said Michael Beare, Microsoft senior director for worldwide software asset management, during a panel session at the SoftSummit 2010 conference in San Jose, Calif.

Microsoft official defends complex software licensing efforts Paul Krill 2010

There was a rush of interest, including, a broker party filmed for real-estate reality television, HGTV's "Selling New York," and it sold within about three months, Ms. Beare said.

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Beare also cited new concepts in software usage that must be addressed.

Microsoft official defends complex software licensing efforts Paul Krill 2010

"That means that eight copies of software out of 10 have not been paid for," Beare said.

Microsoft official defends complex software licensing efforts Paul Krill 2010

Purchasing managers have had issues such as wanting to pay one bill instead of multiple bills for different computing services, said Beare.

Microsoft official defends complex software licensing efforts Paul Krill 2010

Microsoft sees a "hybrid world," with some software usage based on a cloud deployment and some that is asset-based, such as having Windows on a PC, said Beare.

Microsoft official defends complex software licensing efforts Paul Krill 2010

"We end up actually with a problem because we've now got the footprint of many more licenses than were actually initially licensed or entitled," Beare said.

Microsoft official defends complex software licensing efforts Paul Krill 2010

Looking to be creative, customers can virtualize a bunch of servers, which can unintentionally put them out of license compliance, Beare explained.

Microsoft official defends complex software licensing efforts Paul Krill 2010

Elaborating on virtualization after the session, Beare noted issues customers and Microsoft are having.

Microsoft official defends complex software licensing efforts Paul Krill 2010

Meanwhile, software piracy remains an issue to different degrees around the world, Beare said.

Microsoft official defends complex software licensing efforts Paul Krill 2010