Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer has responded to widespread criticisms regarding the company's convoluted licensing practice.
Speaking at a Q&A session following his lecture to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Ballmer was asked if Microsoft would simplify its licensing options to customers. The question generated a round of applause.
In turn, Ballmer acknowledged the confusing nature of its own licensing options, but said that its scatter approach was in place to offer customers the best value.
He claimed that, with a finely detailed list of lisencing options, “customers always find an approach which pays us less money.”
“Every time you simplify something, you lose something that people used to save money,” he added, as quoted by ITPro.
Ballmer stressed that his goal was to simplify the licensing agreement without infringing on price points. To that end he said that he didn’t expect the company to simplify its licensing deals anytime soon.
“Our shareholders want simplicity without a price decrease,” he said.
The Microsoft chief also admitted that Microsoft's licences feature a number of “gotchas” in the fine print.
“I’m sure we have fine print we don’t need. We’re not saints,” he said.
Advertisement
Related Stories
- The Pope loves Microsoft. Fact. May 25th 2012 at 4:13PM
- Windows 8 RT draws antitrust attention May 14th 2012 at 10:59PM
- Windows 8 Pro upgrade may cost $14.99 May 14th 2012 at 10:46PM
- Microsoft to charge for Windows 8 upgrades? May 13th 2012 at 11:01PM
- Mozilla, Google blast Windows RT browser restrictions May 11th 2012 at 3:47AM
- Microsoft demos sonar-based motion detection May 9th 2012 at 1:21AM
- Windows 8's Media Centre upgrade path May 4th 2012 at 3:48AM
- Microsoft fingers Chinese firm in RDP flaw leak May 4th 2012 at 3:00AM
- Microsoft kills off Windows Live brand May 2nd 2012 at 10:19PM
- Microsoft bets on Nook May 2nd 2012 at 4:04AM
