Microsoft licensing changes and updates for August 2024 

Microsoft has released new licensing requirements just as is typical of the tech giant over the past few years. The licensing updates have become necessary due to frequent change or upgrade in technological demands to meet prevailing market conditions for organizations to get the work done. Changes in licensing terms from a vendor like Microsoft allow users to abide by terms and conditions of use.  

Microsoft operates globally and with it comes geographical legal and regulatory requirements. These are often subjected to frequent changes. Updating licensing terms helps Microsoft remain compliant with new laws (geographically), data privacy regulations, or changes in international trade rules which also balance the act of meeting customers expectation.  

Here are some licensing updates for August 2024.  

Product terms  

Universal license terms for online services  

Microsoft has updated the “Use of Content for Training” section for its generative AI services. The term “Azure OpenAI” has been replaced with “Microsoft Generative AI Services,” and they now refer to service-specific terms for the Azure OpenAI Service.   

Microsoft 365  

The eligibility criteria for Copilot for Sales and Copilot for Service have been updated. Copilot for Sales now includes Microsoft 365/Office 365 A1 as a prerequisite, while Copilot for Service extends its requirements to include Microsoft 365/Office 365 Basic, Business, F1, F3, A1, A3, and A5.  

Privacy and security terms  

Microsoft Defender Experts has been included in the Core Online Services table and the Security Practices and Policies for Core Online Services.  

Microsoft cost management  

Microsoft is committed to consistently enhancing its Cost Management tools to offer deeper insights into your cloud expenses and help curb inefficient spending habits. These improvements equip you with the necessary data and insights to identify cost optimization opportunities.   

Microsoft Azure  

Included is the “Use of Content for Fine-Tuning” into the Azure OpenAI Services section and relocated Azure AI Content Safety to the Azure AI Services section.  

Cost card in Azure portal  

Microsoft is unveiling the Cost card within the Azure portal, providing engineers with a detailed cost breakdown of their virtual machines prior to deployment. This feature is currently available for VMs operating on pay-as-you-go subscriptions, with plans for broader availability in the future.  

Azure AI content safety clause  

The Azure AI Content Safety clause has been relocated to the Azure Open AI Service section. To clarify: Customers can use the Azure AI Content Safety feature to filter out harmful content, but it is not intended for collecting such content. By submitting sample content to the service, you permit Microsoft to review and use that content, and you, as the customer, agree to adhere to the requirements outlined in the documentation.  

Any concerns about the changes in the licensing requirements?  

Talk to our team of licensing and cloud experts and understand how or otherwise these changes and add ons to the licensing requirements affect your use of the products and services. We have a good grip on Microsoft’s product updates and licensing requirements and have helped various organizations benefit from our knowledge to make informed decisions.  

We will help you discover the various options to optimize your license purchases and save on spending.