Microsoft had initially changed its Store policy to combat paid clones of free software. But this change hurt legitimate developers of open source programs who wanted to sell them in the store.
Microsoft has just reversed its policy regarding the sale of open source software (OSS or Open Source Software) in its Store. The publisher had announced a change in the rules to ban this type of sale, with an entry into force scheduled for July 16. But this action had sparked an outcry from developers, as community host Hayden Barnes mentioned in a tweet: “The store offers independent open source developers the opportunity to create sustainable projects by charging a reasonable amount. »
I am disappointed by the @MicrosoftStore policy changes that prohibits selling open source software. The Store provides independent open source developers an opportunity to create sustainable projects by charging a reasonable amount there. https://t.co/a3x9MSZJZS
— Hayden Barnes (@unixterminal) July 6, 2022
Remember that an open source program is not necessarily free. However, its source code is freely available and can be modified and redistributed. This allows developers to offer interesting programs for a reasonable price. But others, not very fussy, are content to change the icon and sell the program under another name. This happened, for example, in 2019 with the sale in the Microsoft Store of paid clones of free software.
As explained by Giorgio Sardo, in charge of the Microsoft Store, the change in policy was intended to protect the consumer against these clones of programs, but in no way to harm legitimate developers of open source software.
We absolutely want to support developers successfully distributing OSS apps. In fact there are already fantastic OSS apps in the Store! The goal of this policy is to protect customers from misleading listings. Thanks for feedback, we will review to make sure the intent is clear
— Giorgio Sardo (@gisardo) July 6, 2022
Microsoft has understood the message and Giorgio Sardo has just announced in a tweet a modification of the policy of the Microsoft Store to take into account the developers of open source programs.
Last month, we shared a few updates to Microsoft Store policies to help protect customers from misleading product listings. We heard your feedback, and today we made a change to policy 10.8.7 and 11.2 https://t.co/fJd50I4J0c 1/3
— Giorgio Sardo (@gisardo) July 18, 2022
The application publication rules in the Microsoft Store now include the following section:
Your product content and associated metadata must be wholly created by the application vendor, used under a license agreement with the third-party rights holder, operated under terms authorized by the rights holder, or used under the conditions provided for by law.
Microsoft removed text that stated that developers should not attempt to take advantage of open source software or other software generally available for free, or be priced irrationally high relative to their program’s features and functions.
Open source software developers are satisfied with the publisher’s response, which will make it possible to find quality programs in the application store, as Giorgio Sardo points out: “There are many excellent free and paid OSS applications in the Microsoft Store, and we look forward to welcoming more. »
Source :
MSPowerUser