I just received an email from Microsoft saying that they were transferring their Software And License Protection Service to their IP Venture which is called "InishTech". This is the email I received:
Dear Valued SLP Services Customer:
We are writing to share with you some important information about the Software Licensing and Protection Services (SLP Services) offered by Microsoft Corporation ("Microsoft"). Microsoft plans to transfer the SLP Services business to Inish Technology Ventures Limited ("InishTech"). InishTech is a new venture set up to focus on developing the global market for SLP Services. Microsoft is a shareholder in InishTech and will also continue as a customer of the SLP Services.
We are sharing this information with you ahead of time so that you receive this information from us first, not the press. Since the official announcement of this transaction will not be until June 9, 2009, we ask that you keep this information confidential until that public launch date InishTech will operate the SLP Services business and you will continue to be able to take advantage of the unique products and services that you are already enjoying. Any agreement between you and Microsoft related to SLP Services will be assigned to InishTech as a result of this transaction.
We at Microsoft value our relationship with you, and we are confident that you will continue to receive great products, services, and support from InishTech. To ensure a smooth transition for all of our customers, we will continue to offer SLP Services support through our Customer Service and Support Division until September 24, 2009. Microsoft will remain a partner and collaborator with InishTech, so rest assured we are vested in the success of this endeavor. If you have any questions regarding this transition, please don't hesitate to contact me at slpsinfo@microsoft.com.
Sincerely,
Bob Cadd
Global Account Executive
It seems that Microsoft will continue to support the current version with their customer support till the end of September, though beyond that InishTech will be responsible for the product. If you have not used the service, it is a great way to use license activation and obfuscation when paired with Dotfuscator. It seemed like a powerhouse when It came to knocking out some of their competitors, but in September of last year they stopped adding new customers to the Microsoft SLP System. Microsoft still has a stake in InishTech and will hopefully work with them to evolve this service. According to a MarketWatch article, Microsoft still has hopes for the product:
While Microsoft acquired the SLP business in 2007 to "take its core technology and develop it," Mansour said, the Redmond, Wash.-based company has since decided "to find a home where it can flourish." The SLP business quietly stopped accepting new orders late last year.
Source: MarketWatch
Here is hoping they can take a good product and make it even better.