1. What is the i-Café program and what will I get from it?
2. How do I know if I'm eligible? How do I sign up?
3. What are valid Windows OS base licenses for i-Cafés?
5. Most of my patrons are gamers. If I upgrade to Windows 7, which games will be compatible?
6. Will the OS licenses be transferable?
7. What are the requirements for the iCafe Program? How do I become eligible?
8. Where can I view a list of Microsoft iCafe Program resellers?
9. After submitting the requirements, what’s the next step?
10. What’s the Microsoft iCafe Marketing Agreement and what do I get from it?
11. Are iCafes required to sign the Microsoft iCafe Marketing Agreement?
13. What are the qualified operating systems for the Rental Rights Agreement for Windows?
14. My Microsoft iCafe Rental Rights Agreement for Windows is about to expire, how do I renew?
16. Are licenses transferrable in the iCafe program?
19. I need Windows XP Professional, can I downgrade my Windows 7 Professional license?
1. What is the i-Café program and what will I get from it?
The i-Cafe program is Microsoft's response to one of Internet cafe customers' unmet needs: secure and dependable computing experience in a shared PC space. By providing secure software and reliable services to Internet cafe owners, Microsoft helps you to improve the customer experience and user productivity on the shared PCs in your Internet cafes. As a result, you become the Internet cafe of choice in your community, thereby increasing your profitability and improving your competitive position.
2. How do I know if I'm eligible? How do I sign up?
To find out if you are eligible for this program, your Internet café will need to appear in Microsoft's Eligibility List, developed in partnership with local governments, Internet café associations, and business agencies in their markets. The Anti-Piracy Lead within each subsidiary creates and maintains the i-Café Eligibility list.
The i-Café Eligibility List consists of Internet cafés registered with the local government or credible business agencies. Microsoft has partnered with local governments in response to consumer needs for a secure and dependable computing experience in Internet cafés, and to Internet cafés' need for affordable, relevant solutions. After all, fundamental to any partnership is that both partners should be on the right side of law.
If you are not on the list but want to become eligible, contact your local Microsoft Anti-Piracy Manager. He/she will address your requests on the bases of merits.
An Internet café who wants to be part of the i-Café program should first check with its authorized reseller if it is included in the Eligibility List. If the Internet café is not included, it should submit the following documents to its authorized reseller:
- Interior and exterior pictures of the Internet café
- SEC registration or DTI permit
- Mayor's permit or Barangay clearance
After the required documents have been submitted for processing, the authorized reseller will notify the applicant if it is eligible and furnish it with the full details on how to avail of the program. To download the detailed ordering process for the i-Café program, please click here.
3. What are valid Windows OS base licenses for i-Cafés?
Valid base licenses for i-Cafes are:
- Windows XP Professional
- Windows Vista Business
- Windows 7 Professional
These licenses can be appended with the Rental Rights Agreement (RRA) which allows commercial use of the operating system.
4. Which applications are covered by the i-Café program? What happens if I have existing software license agreements?
The i-Café program covers Microsoft Windows 7 Professional only which is downgradeable to both Windows Vista Business and Windows XP Professional.
Existing software license agreements for Microsoft Windows will be retained. Should the customer add new computer units after its inclusion in the i-Café program, the Microsoft software for these new units will not be sold at the discounted price under the i-Café program but rather, will be purchased under the OEM license at regular retail prices with the required Rental Rights Agreements.
5. Most of my patrons are gamers. If I upgrade to Windows 7, which games will be compatible?
The following top games are already compatible with Microsoft Windows 7.
- Operation 7
- ZX Online
- Granado Espada
- Warcraft III
- Counter Strike
- PLDT Play
- World of Warcraft
The program allows you to invest in Microsoft Windows 7 with downgrade rights up to two levels down. In case the application you wish to run is not in this list, you may downgrade your Microsoft Windows 7 Professional licenses to Windows Vista Business and Windows XP Professional. This is free and an advantage to availing Windows 7 Professional under the Microsoft i-Café Program.
6. Will the OS licenses be transferable?
No. The licenses will only be valid on the PCs where they are initially installed. Ideally, PCs should be purchased with the OS pre-installed, so that the OS remains valid as long as the PCs are working.
The i-Café Program addresses situations where Internet cafés purchased 'naked' PCs, or PCs without pre-installed operating systems. The Microsoft i-Café Program is designed to link Internet cafés with Microsoft so that they may enjoy technical and business support from Microsoft after having purchased 'naked' PCs. As such, the OS non-transferability requirement applies.
7. What are the requirements for the iCafe Program? How do I become eligible?
The Microsoft iCafe Program specifically caters to the iCafe industry to provide a safe and dependable computing environment by offering discounted licenses. We need the following requirements for an iCafe to be eligible to join:
- DTI or SEC permit
- Mayor’s or Barangay clearance
- Interior photo of iCafe
- Exterior photo of iCafe
8. Where can I view a list of Microsoft iCafe Program resellers?
A list of resellers can be found here
9. After submitting the requirements, what’s the next step?
Your submitted documents will be forwarded to a Microsoft Office for approval; this may take approximately 1-3 business days to process. after that your Microsoft reseller will inform you of your eligibility and you may now view and sign up for the iCafe Marketing Agreement online at www.icafegsk.com/en-PH using the iCafe name supplied in your requirements.
After signing up for icafegsk.com and receiving your iCafe ID, you may now order licenses from your Microsoft reseller.
10. What’s the Microsoft iCafe Marketing Agreement and what do I get from it?By signing the Microsoft iCafe Marketing Agreement the iCafe receives free Rental Rights effective for one year for all PCs running a qualified Windows Operating System.
After signing up for the iCafe Marketing agreement the iCafe is entitled to run the AppTracker Tool and Default Settings Tool in their Windows pcs.
An iCafe also receives the downloadable software freebies offered in the Microsoft iCafe program by signing up for this agreement.
11. Are iCafes required to sign the Microsoft iCafe Marketing Agreement?The Microsoft iCafe Marketing Agreement is not mandatory in the operations of an internet cafe. Should an iCafe choose not to sign the agreement the Microsoft iCafe Rental Rights Agreements for Windows can be purchased separately.
12. What is the Microsoft iCafe Rental Rights Agreement? What are qualified operating systems that can be applied to the agreement?The Microsoft iCafe Rental Rights Agreement (RRA) for Windows is crucial for an internet cafe running the Microsoft Windows Operating System as its End-User Licensing Agreement (EULA) states that Windows may not be used commercially. In this case an iCafe would typically rent out both hardware and software which includes Windows. The agreement adds an addendum to the EULA allowing an internet cafe Rental Rights for qualifying Windows Operating Systems.
An iCafe who wishes not to sign the Microsoft iCafe Marketing Agreement may opt to purchase RRA for Windows at 2,000PHP per qualified PC/annum.
13. What are the qualified operating systems for the Rental Rights Agreement for Windows?An iCafe may only apply the Microsoft iCafe Rental Rights Agreement for the following operating systems:
- Windows XP Professional
- Windows Vista Business
- Windows 7 Professional
The Microsoft iCafe Rental Rights Agreement (RRA) for Windows may be renewed either by:
- Signing up for the Microsoft iCafe Marketing Agreement for free Rental Rights effective for one year for all qualified Windows Operating Systems.
- Purchasing RRA seperately at 2,000PHP per qualified PC/annum.
Windows licenses under the iCafe program are under a one-time purchase per iCafe branch. Should an iCafe expand its business by adding more Windows pcs, it is recommended that an iCafe license the new PCs with Qualified OEM Windows operating systems.
16. Are licenses transferrable in the iCafe program?Windows licenses are non-transferrable.
17. I have signed up for the Microsoft iCafe program before (January 2010-June 2011); do I need to sign the new Microsoft iCafe marketing agreement?An existing customer is not required renew their perpetual agreements but may still sign the Microsoft iCafe marketing agreement to be able to access the free downloadable software freebies in www.icafegsk.com/en-PH. to get access to this website please send your iCafe and reseller details to v-isshin@microsoft.com.
18. What license type will I be availing with my purchase of Microsoft products under the iCafe Program?The Microsoft iCafe program is the first to offer Volume Licensing to iCafes. Volume licensing, also known as ‘paper licensing’ allows greater flexibility for an internet café; benefits include free downloadable installers of purchased qualified Windows Operating Systems. A single Volume License key is allocated for all purchased keys per product allowing an internet cafe management of licenses.
Volume licenses are always bought in bulk and would therefore need a minimum purchase of five licenses in any combination. For example, to qualify, an internet cafe can order 4 Windows licenses and 1 Office license, Taking note that Windows licenses are a one-time purchase in the program.
19. I need Windows XP Professional, can I downgrade my Windows 7 Professional license?Windows 7 Professional licenses bought under the iCafe program can avail of free downgrades to Windows XP Professional as well as Windows Vista Business. An internet cafe may also upgrade back to Windows 7 Professional at any time.