My friend Kristen Kenny has uncovered an interesting licensing clause for Windows 7 Home Premium known as a “Family Pack” licence. This licence allows a single copy of Windows 7 Home Premium on up to 3 computers in a single household.

Below is a quote from the licence terms from the latest build of Windows 7 Home Premium.

2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
a. One Copy per Computer. Except as allowed in Section 2 (b) below, you may install one copy of the software on one computer. That computer is the “licensed computer.”

b. Family Pack. If you are a “Qualified Family Pack User”, you may install one copy of the software marked as “Family Pack” on three computers in your household for use by people who reside there. Those computers are the “licensed computers” and are subject to these license terms. If you do not know whether you are a Qualified Family Pack User, visit go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=141399 or contact the Microsoft affiliate serving your country.

c. Licensed Computer. You may use the software on up to two processors on the licensed computer at one time. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, you may not use the software on any other computer.

d. Number of Users. Unless otherwise provided in these license terms, only one user may use the software at a time.

e. Alternative Versions. The software may include more than one version, such as 32-bit and 64-bit. You may install and use only one version at one time.

I personally find this potentially useful and hope the idea does bare fruit to allow me to cheaply upgrade my family to Windows 7 Home Premium at Christmas 🙂