Microsoft 365 Family commercial use

Question

Hi Guys,

I've recently noticed a new term under the Microsoft License Term for "OFFICE SERVICE AND SOFTWARE IN MICROSOFT 365 CONSUMER SUBSCRIPTION" stating

"2.    Additional Licensing Restrictions and Requirements.

...

f. Noncommercial Use. The noncommercial use restriction in the Microsoft Services Agreement does not apply to Microsoft 365 Personal Subscriptions or Microsoft 365 Family Subscriptions.

..."

In Wikipedia for Microsoft 365 also quoted

"Recent updates to Microsoft Services Agreement and Microsoft 365 agreement may allow for commercial use by those withMicrosoft 365 Personal and Familylicenses***.***

• TheMicrosoft Services Agreementnotes (h/i): "Use of apps such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, Access, and Publisher in Microsoft 365 Family, Microsoft 365 Personal, and any other Microsoft 365 subscription Services is governed by supplemental license terms located at  https://aka.ms/useterms together with these Terms."https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement(June 2022)
• FromSUPPLEMENT TO MICROSOFT SERVICES AGREEMENT / OFFICE SERVICE AND SOFTWARE IN MICROSOFT 365 CONSUMER SUBSCRIPTIONstates "f. Noncommercial Use. The noncommercial use restriction in the Microsoft Services Agreement does not apply to Microsoft 365 Personal Subscriptions or Microsoft 365 Family Subscriptions."https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/OfficeinMicrosoft365/Family/Useterms_Retail_OfficeinMicrosoft365_Family_English.htm(July 2022)"

I hope to get some reclarification and confirmation (hopefully from Microsoft internal representatives) that we can now use office apps such as Word, Excel, Powerpoint from Microsoft 365 Family subscription for small business use (e.g. company with only a few employees)?

Answer 1

Thanks and greatly appreciated for your response, Ron.

Would you be able to clarify the interpretation for the below term?

"...The noncommercial use restriction in the Microsoft Services Agreement does not apply to Microsoft 365 Personal Subscriptions or Microsoft 365 Family Subscriptions."

To my understanding, it is saying that Microsoft 365 Personal/Family package doesn't follow the Microsoft Service Agreement terms that stated "Microsoft home products can only be used in non-commercial condition", hence allowing commercial use from July 2022?

I don't need a copy and past of the license term, just a proper interpretation of Microsoft's newest terms.

Answer 2

Thanks Mate.

Answer 3

f. is referring to c. (that is paragraph c. above f. as I posted above. Not sure why you would think that Microsoft would allow commercial use of Microsoft Personal/Family for commercial purposes? You can purchase a business subscription here: Compare All Microsoft 365 Plans | Microsoft (On the right-hand side of the page there is a telephone number and an email contact address, that you can use for clarification) Good luck.

Or you may prefer Office LTSC Compare Microsoft Office Volume Licensing Suites Overview of Office LTSC 2021 - Deploy Office | Microsoft Learn

Answer 4

Hi, sorry Microsoft 365 Persona/Family cannot be used for commercial purposes. Please see your licence>Open an App, e.g., Word>File>Account>About Word (In fact you cannot use Window Home for commercial purposes either)

Here is an extract: [I have deleted the old licence terms and conditions). The new licence includes Microsoft 365 Home Use (HUP) that is Office purchased by companies. Anyhow, here is the newer licence:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Useterms/Retail/OfficeinMicrosoft365/Family/Useterms_Retail_OfficeinMicrosoft365_Family_English.htm 

c. Home Use Program. You must be a Home Use Program User to subscribe to and use services/software designated as Home Use Program. To be a Home Use Program User, you must be an employee of an organization that has a Microsoft Volume License agreement with active Software Assurance or previously had active Software Assurance, or that meets certain other criteria. For so long as you meet Home Use Program User eligibility requirements, you may subscribe to and use the service/software for commercial purposes. If you have questions about whether you qualify as a Home Use Program User, contact your employer.

f. Noncommercial Use. The noncommercial use restriction in the Microsoft Services Agreement does not apply to Microsoft 365 Personal Subscriptions or Microsoft 365 Family Subscriptions.

[Note the Home Use program allow employees after leaving company to continue subscribing and using Microsoft 365 at a 30% discount]