Software that puts Windows 7 onto Android and iOS tablets is breaking licensing agreements, Microsoft has said.
OnLive's apps offer a Windows desktop through the cloud. OnLive Desktop uses the company's cloud gaming system to serve up the Office suite to tablet users, via a free app as well as a £4.99/month pro version.
Microsoft has now said the OnLive service is not "properly licensed", following the release of the two products over the past few weeks.
"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 Joe Matz, Microsoft's corporate vice-president for licensing and pricing, in a blog post.
Matz pointed out that it's possible to use a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) system, so long as the end customer has a licensing agreement with Microsoft. "The hosting hardware must be dedicated to, and for the benefit of the customer, and may not be shared by or with any other customers of that partner," he said.
Companies can also offer "desktop-like functionality" under the Services Provider License Agreement (SPLA) without the end user having a license. "However, it is important to note that 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," Matz said. "Office may only be provided as a service if it is hosted on Windows Server and Remote Desktop Services."
The statement is likely to spur more complaints about the complexity of Microsoft's licensing system, with one commenter on the post saying it "is long past time for Microsoft to address the shortcomings within its current licensing policy with regard to VDI".
The company claimed such rules were necessary to protect its IP. "Our licensing terms provide clarity and consistency for our partners, ensure a quality experience for end customers using Windows across a variety of devices, and protect our intellectual property," Matz said. "It’s important to us and to our partners that we’re serious about issues of compliance."
OnLive has yet to respond to requests for comment.
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