Microsoft has reversed its decision to pull internal use rights for software and other benefits for partners after a backlash.
The decision was made on the eve of the Microsoft Ignition partner event in Las Vegas, and just a week after the changes were announced.
Gavriella Schuster, corporate vice president for Microsoft One Commercial Partner, said: “Over the last several days we’ve heard from many of you about changes we were planning to make regarding benefits included with gold and silver competencies, and those in the Microsoft Action Pack.
“These included benefits related to internal use rights, or IUR — specifically the terms governing the use of product licenses to run partner businesses.
"Given the feedback we have made the decision to roll back all planned changes related to internal use rights and competency timelines that were announced earlier this month.
“This means you will experience no material changes this coming fiscal year, and you will not be subject to reduced IUR licenses or increased costs related to those licenses next July as previously announced.”
She promised that in future any proposed partner benefit changes would be fully consulted upon in the channel before being enacted.
A number of partners also asked for clarification on whether the new announcement includes planned changes to on-premise support and new competency requirements. “We can confirm those planned changes have also been rolled back,” said Schuster.