This is an article about the licensed Microsoft Operating Systems (MS OSes) that can be legally used in the operation of an i-café. The issue of which MS OSes are valid for i-café use came out when the Microsoft I-Café Program was launched in the last week of January 2010. The program is aimed at legalizing the existing pirated operating systems and productivity suite being used by i-cafés. Windows 7 Professional and MS Office 2007 are offered under the program so clarification on the issue of using genuine XP Home OS in i-cafés cropped-up.

The official policy of the company on what are the valid Microsoft OS base licenses for i-cafés is contained in Item 3 of the FAQs at MS website, part of which is as follows:

Microsoft XP Pro, Microsoft Vista Professional or Microsoft Windows 7 Pro is the only version of software that can be used to rent-out in conjunction with Rental Rights Agreement. Windows XP Pro and Windows Vista Pro are available as a down gradable option, when you purchase Microsoft Windows 7 Pro.

The above policy left out the non-Professional edition of Windows that refers mainly to XP Home which Microsoft allowed to be used legally in the past by virtue of the Internet Rental Rights Agreement (IRRA) that they issued to i-café owners who bought and installed the software in their shops. However, Microsoft Philippines issued clarifications on the continued use of genuine XP Home as follows:

• Those currently using genuine XP Home with valid IRRA can use it legally till its end of life.

• Those currently using genuine XP Home with expired IRRA has until next year to use it legally.

• Those currently using genuine XP Home but never applied for IRRA are now using the software illegally or it is a truth to say that when they did not apply for IRRA, they were already using it illegally since then because of the terms in its EULA.