Microsoft announced Office for iPad through a subscription that costs $100, but a loophole allows users access to the popular app without a subscription.
The highly anticipated launch last week was aimed at securing Microsoft additional revenue of over $1 billion annually by tapping into the popularity of Apple's iPad. While users can download apps for free for read-only capabilities, the full range of features can only be accessed through an Office 365 subscription.
Yet the app doesn't work like expected. According to CNET, a loophole allows a single account to make Office available on multiple tablets, though Microsoft's end user rights agreements clearly states that users should only authenticate five tablets. So where's the catch? It turns out that Microsoft is not strictly enforcing the limit.
A Microsoft spokesperson told CNET that the company expects users to honor the agreement. "Similar to our commercial use rights, we do not strictly enforce the limit on tablet installations, but trust that our users respect and understand the device limits outlined in the EULA [end user rights agreement]."
According to Ubergizmo, all one has to do is get hold of a valid Office 365 account credentials and use it on their device without paying for it. There is no limit on the number of times it can done, though using the credentials more than five times is a violation of Microsoft's user agreement.
"The authentication will remove the prompt which reminds users that they have to pay for a 365 subscription to unleash Office for iPad's power. Even the users' data will sync with Office Mobile iPhone app and they will be automatically signed into full versions of all other Office apps once they sign in to the first one," according to Ubergizmo.
According to CNET, Microsoft stated that it tracks how many devices an account authenticates, pointing to possibility of regulation in the future.
It also raised many questions pertaining to sharing an Office 365 account on multiple devices in situations when the account owner does not renew subscription or when devices are reset.
