The latest update to OS X Lion has brought up an interesting question:
What is the correct legal approach to upgrading multiple machines to OS X Lion?
With the latest release of Lion, Family Packs are no longer available, but they still offer volume licensing.
For those that have used Family Packs for Snow Leopard, this is what the license states:
“The Family Pack Software License Agreement allows you to install and use one copy of the Apple software on up to a maximum of five (5) Apple-labeled computers at a time as long as those computers are located in the same household and used by persons who occupy that household. By ‘household’ we mean a person or persons who share the same housing unit such as a home, apartment, mobile home, or condominium, including students who are primary residents of that household but reside at a separate on-campus location. This license does not extend to business or commercial users.”
OS X Lion is now automatically a “Family Pack” of sorts, and can be installed on multiple machines that “are located in the same household and used by persons who occupy that household.”
So, can a Church do this?
No.
The terms are clear:
By ‘household’ we mean a person or persons who share the same housing unit such as a home, apartment, mobile home, or condominium, including students who are primary residents of that household but reside at a separate on-campus location.
There are two options available for volume licensing:
- Volume licenses for businesses.
- Volume licenses for educational institutions.
The educational licensing are available for a 50% discount which is huge!
If you’re looking for some non-profit pricing, you’re not going to find it.
If you are a Church or non-profit, you’re going to have to jump on the volume licenses for businesses. Even that is directed at those needing 20+ licences.
Churches and non-profits looking to upgrade under 20, will simple need to purchase each upgrade license individually.
If your Church or organization is using a Family Pack, this latest release from Apple may be just the opportunity to take a legit approach to your OS licensing.
Hopefully, most Churches won’t find themselves in this situation.
Eric J says
The 20 seat minimum is kind of ridiculous, why can’t they just sell it in packs of 5 for business?
Eric Dye says
Agreed.
Graham says
I upgraded my personal MacBook Pro, it is the only Mac I actually own as an individual so that was a no brainer. I have three Macs at work (1 iMac 24″, 2 Mac Mini) all of which were running Leopard until I purchased Lion for the iMac. I don’t mind if the Minis stay with Leopard though… all they are used for are for running ProPresenter on the weekends. So multi-licensing isn’t an issue for my church at this point.
This is good to be aware of though. Glad you brought it to my attention!
Don says
Any issues with running ProPresenter under Lion?
Graham says
I’m not using ProPresenter on Lion yet.
Eric Dye says
😀
Gangai Victor says
Boy…am I glad to be a Windows user! 😉
Eric Dye says
You’re awesome.
Kris Dunlop says
While I appreciate promoting software legally, did you contact Apple to find out where non-profits fit in? I read the terms and actually emailed Apple to get clarification a couple weeks ago. It says there is volume pricing for business and educational institutions. It says up to 10 computers for non-commercial. I had two different reps respond and this is the answer:
Q: In the TOS, it states Businesses and Educational Institutions have to purchase a new app for each computer. If we are a non-profit, that would mean we fall under the non-commercial clause of the TOS.
A: Priscilla here from the iTunes Store. I understand that as per the Terms of Sale, it states that Businesses and Educational Institutions have to purchase a new app for each computer which would make you fall under the non-commercial clause, as you are a non profit. I can certainly appreciate how eager you must be to resolve this and I will be happy to assist you today.
I will be more than happy to provide you with information regarding the App Store Volume Purchase Program. To find out more about this program, please use the following resources:
Q: So we can use our one purchased copy on 10 machines since we are a non-profit organization?Thanks for clarifying.
A (New Rep):Hi Kris,
Aaron here from iTunes store, taking over for Kris.
I looked into this for you and I can clarify that you can use the 1 copy on your 10 machines.
If you have any further questions or concerns regarding this or any other issue, please let me know and I would be more than happy to address them for you. Thank you very much for being part of the iTunes Store family, Kris, and I hope you have a great day.
Sincerely,
Aaron
iTunes Store/Mac App Store Customer Support