Broadcom’s Cease-and-Desist Letters to VMware Perpetual License Holders

Broadcom’s recent actions have sent ripples through the IT community. Following its acquisition of VMware in November 2023, Broadcom has been actively enforcing its new licensing policies, particularly targeting users of perpetual VMware licenses without active support contracts. This enforcement has taken the form of cease-and-desist letters, raising concerns and prompting discussions about software asset…

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Maximizing Flexibility: The Power of Oracle Fusion Cloud Contract Rebalancing

Oracle Fusion Cloud applications have become a cornerstone for organizations seeking robust enterprise solutions. However, the contractual aspects of these powerful tools can significantly impact your bottom line and operational flexibility. Among the most valuable yet often overlooked contract provisions is the rebalancing clause, a feature that can transform how you manage your Oracle investment…

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Free ESXi Is Back! But What’s the Catch?

Broadcom quietly revives VMware’s free hypervisor, and the virtualization world takes notice. In a quiet yet significant pivot, Broadcom has reinstated the free version of VMware ESXi, the widely used Type 1 hypervisor, just over a year after pulling the plug on it. The return was noted subtly in the release notes for vSphere 8.0 Update…

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Adobe Retires VIP Commercial Program: Transition to VIP Marketplace by May 31, 2025

Adobe has officially announced the retirement of its Value Incentive Plan (VIP) for commercial segment customers, with a complete transition to the VIP Marketplace required by May 31, 2025. This change affects all commercial customers globally, including those who had previously received extensions to the migration deadline. After this date, end-users remaining under the VIP…

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Upcoming Price Increase and Changes to Microsoft On-Prem Server Licensing

Microsoft has announced significant licensing and pricing changes for its on-premises server products, effective July 1, 2025. These updates will impact organizations relying on Exchange Server, Skype for Business Server, and SharePoint Server. As the software asset management (SAM) landscape evolves, understanding these changes is crucial for maintaining compliance and optimizing costs.  What’s Changing? 1.…

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Navigating Data Sovereignty: How Microsoft’s EU Compliance Battle is Reshaping Licensing and SAM

In March 2024, the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS) ruled that the European Commission’s use of Microsoft 365 violated EU data protection laws. Over a year later, the issue remains unresolved, highlighting ongoing challenges in compliance, data sovereignty, and licensing strategies across the Software Asset Management (SAM) landscape. Microsoft’s Response and Ongoing Legal Battle Microsoft…

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Oracle VirtualBox Licensing Guide

Oracle VM VirtualBox is a robust, cross-platform virtualization application that enables users to run multiple operating systems concurrently on a single physical machine. Developed by Oracle Corporation, VirtualBox is widely utilized by IT professionals and developers for tasks such as testing, development, and deployment across diverse environments. Understanding the licensing structure of VirtualBox is essential…

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DOGE Bites Oracle: Pentagon’s $280M Oracle HR Software Fiasco Spotlights Need for Smarter Licensing

Behind the Oracle HR Software Debacle The Pentagon has decisively terminated a massive human resources software project, built on Oracle technology, after it ballooned $280 million over budget and fell dramatically behind schedule. This cancellation is a significant blow to Oracle, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and the efficiency of large-scale government software licensing and…

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Oracle’s attempt to hide severe cybersecurity incidents from customers in Oracle SaaS service

Oracle Faces Backlash Over Handling of Cloud Security Breach In March 2025, Oracle Corporation found itself at the center of a cybersecurity controversy following allegations of a significant data breach affecting its cloud services. A threat actor, known by the alias “rose87168,” claimed responsibility for infiltrating Oracle’s systems and exfiltrating sensitive data, including six million…

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US Lawmakers Revisit Software Licensing Bill: What It Means for Your SAM Strategy

In a significant move for government IT management, lawmakers are once again introducing the Strengthening Agency Management and Oversight of Software Assets Act. The bill aims to standardize and improve software licensing practices across federal agencies, addressing persistent issues of inefficiency, overspending, and compliance risk. “By improving transparency, reducing duplication, and leveraging enterprise licensing, we…

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Major Update for VMware Customers: minimum purchase requirement of 72 cores per product

EDIT: VMware Walks Back Controversial Licensing Change After Industry Backlash, Denies Official Announcement If you’re managing VMware licenses, this development demands your immediate attention. Starting April 10, 2025, VMware customers will face significant licensing changes following Broadcom’s updated policies. The update introduces a minimum purchase requirement of 72 cores per product, not a per-CPU licensing requirement…

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VMware’s Lawsuit Against Siemens: A Stark Reminder to Get Your Software Licensing in Order

In a significant development for the software licensing industry, VMware, now a subsidiary of Broadcom Inc., has initiated legal proceedings against Siemens AG and several of its U.S.-based subsidiaries. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, accuses Siemens of copyright infringement related to unauthorized usage of VMware software. The…

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Oracle Data Breach: Important Information and Steps to Protect Your Organization

On March 21, 2025, a user going by rose87168 posted on BreachForums claiming to have compromised Oracle Cloud, a widely-used platform in enterprises worldwide. According to the alleged breach details, the attacker gained access through the login portal login.[region-name].oraclecloud.com . The stolen database reportedly contains sensitive data, including: While Oracle has publicly denied the occurrence of any security…

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Unlocking Trillions: The True Value of Open Source Software

In an era where software shapes nearly every aspect of our economy, understanding the true value of Open Source Software (OSS) has never been more critical. A recent study by Harvard Business School and the University of Toronto provides groundbreaking insights into how profoundly OSS impacts the global economy, highlighting both its enormous economic footprint…

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Oracle ULA vs. PULA: Flexibility or Long-term Stability

Oracle licensing models significantly influence IT strategies, budgets, and operational flexibility. Understanding the distinctions between Oracle’s Unlimited License Agreement (ULA) and Perpetual Unlimited License Agreement (PULA) is essential for optimizing your organization’s licensing approach. Oracle ULA: Flexibility for Growth An Oracle ULA typically spans 2–3 years, granting unlimited deployment rights for specified Oracle products within…

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