The Software Protection Platform

Microsoft’s Software Protection Platform (SPP) is a set of software components for activation and validation. It includes an activation service, a client service, and an API designed to work with Microsoft’s OSs, applications, and game software to enforce activation programs, such as Windows Product Activation (WPA), and validation programs, such as Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA).

In addition to using SPP for activation and validation, Microsoft products will use it to implement future services, such as support for online product upgrades. For example, customers who purchase Vista Home will be able to obtain a new license key that allows them to upgrade to Vista Business Professional by unlocking the additional features so they can be installed from the customer’s current distribution media. After the upgrade is complete, the OS will have to be reactivated with the upgrade key.

In addition, SPP could be part of future Software Asset Management programs that help customers balance or “true-up” the number of licenses actually activated with the number of licenses that the customer has acquired from the appropriate Microsoft channel. This is not part of Volume Activation version 2.0, but it would allow customers to pay for only the exact number of licenses that they need, rather than using a broad volume license agreement that can lead to over-licensing. Companies commonly buy too many licenses because failing a license audit can have serious financial consequences, but it’s often too time-consuming and difficult to track licenses in order to purchase only the precise number needed.