We have an application in house that requires we use legacy PCs. We're working on replacement hardware but due to the application and environment this is extremely costly and thus is moving slowly. Windows XP was not a supported upgrade (the vendor shipped the machines with '98, astonishingly) but it is working tolerably well. Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs is absolutely what we need. Yet, I CAN'T BUY IT!

Microsoft, in their infinite wisdom, have made WinFLP a Software Assurance-only benefit. Ok, fine, I think... I'll get some XP/Vista licenses and sign up for SA. DONE! Nonononono, not so fast. Not all SA agreements are created equally. WinFLP is only a benefit at the enterprise level.

Apparently MS never considered that smaller organizations might need such a product. Thus, I'm in a position whereby I can easily obtain the product off the 'net and use a pirated key with it. But I cannot purchase it legally... without signing up for a volume licensing program that requires roughly 3x the number of client/OS licenses that I need.

Typical. IMO the DOJ should tear them asunder and fling the pieces to the far corners with a judgment that makes even saying hello to another division punishable.