Microsoft retools school licenses

Microsoft on Thursday announced a new range of licensing terms for schools and other educational establishments.

The software giant has redesigned its licensing options for its range of software products, allowing K-12 schools and universities to more easily renew agreements to use the products rather than signing new agreements each year.

The move comes as Microsoft is revisiting its licensing and software services for businesses.

The Redmond, Wash.-based company said that its School and Campus Agreement 3.0 Subscriptions options will allow educators to choose only the software titles they need for their students, faculty and staff.

Previously, educators had to license a full set of software--which could translate to higher costs for the schools. The plan not only allows schools to license software for a limited number of students--instead of the entire student body--but also allows institutions to license software that students can use on their own PCs.

The new licensing options will be available in the United States beginning Aug. 1.

The new subscriptions also give educational institutions the option to buy perpetual licenses for software and services they want, while deleting other products without penalty.