Open License Credit Available

To promote its new upgrade program, Software Assurance (SA), Microsoft is offering credit terms to U.S. customers who purchase it through the Open License volume licensing program. The new Open License Credit Line Program offers a 7.9% annual percentage rate (APR) for purchases of at least US$2,000 (before taxes) worth of software with SA or Upgrade Advantage (an older upgrade program that will no longer be available after July 31, 2002). Open License requires purchase of as few as five licenses and offers discounts of approximately 15% to 25% off estimated retail prices.

Customers who make purchases through the program by June 30, 2002, are not charged interest, and need not make any payments for 90 days.

Once the credit line has been opened, customers can also use it to purchase licenses without SA or to buy volume media (sold separately from licenses). Purchases must be made through a participating reseller.

Customers can apply for credit, offered by Household Bank of Carroll Stream, IL, by filling in an online form. In some cases, Microsoft says, their application will be approved online within minutes.