Please click here to read update 2 on this post...
This is an update to my post on July 13th regarding what appeared to be a critical change to where Visual Studio 2015 / MSDN software could be installed and run. The concern first appeared in the new July 2015 Microsoft Product Terms, which replaced the Microsoft Product Use Rights and the Microsoft Product List.
The July 2015 Microsoft Product Terms Developer Tools section states the following:
"One Licensed User may use any number of copies of the software and any prior version on any device dedicated to Customer’s use for each User License it acquires."
The concern was based on the addition of the language "device dedicated to Customer’s use". This was interpreted by multiple independent Microsoft licensing experts that Microsoft was no longer allowing MSDN users the ability to use their MSDN licenses to cover non-production systems at their customer's site, or allow developers to install Visual Studio on their home device. It is commonplace for contract developers to bring their own MSDN to a customer and have the customer only supply the needed server CALs.
I am very pleased to report the July 2015 Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 and MSDN Licensing white paper clears up any concerns on page 13. We can all relax and enjoy the same rights we have been accustom to as to where the software can be installed and run.
As for the new language in the Microsoft Product Terms I do not have any insight as to why Microsoft added it. This language never appeared in the Product Use Rights or Product List for Developer Tools. If I had to guess the language was added to tighten up most use rights, but should not have been applied to the Developer Tools section. It would be great if Microsoft were to update the Product Terms to match the white paper.
Please note the Microsoft Product Terms have a higher order of legal precedence than the July 2015 Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 and MSDN Licensing white paper. Based on the language in the white paper Microsoft's intent is very clear me. If you want to play it super safe then ask your Microsoft account team to provide an amendment stating there are no changes to where Visual Studio 2015 / MSDN software can be installed and run.
Click here to download the July 2015 Microsoft Visual Studio 2015 and MSDN Licensing white paper