<p>Microsoft has clarified the licensing for retail versions of its Office 2013 productivity suite, confirming that boxed editions of the software are licensed for a single PC only and that the license may never be transferred, even if the user upgrades to a new PC.</p><p>Over the past week, Office users around the web have expressed dismay over new, draconian-sounding terms in the Office 2013 retail license that seem to severely curb what customers can do with the software. Specifically, this paragraph raised the most eyebrows:</p><p>You may not transfer the software to another computer or user. You may transfer the software directly to a third party only as installed on the licensed computer, with the Certificate of Authenticity label and this agreement. Before the transfer, that party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software. You may not retain any copies.</p><p>Note the italicized portion above (emphasis ours). What it means is that the only way to give or sell your copy of Office 2013 to someone else is to physically give it to them, by handing over the actual computer that the software is installed on.</p><p><a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/02/20/office_2013_license_no_transfers/">Keep reading...</a></p><p>Read also:</p><p><a href="http://www.pcworld.com/article/2028748/office-showdown-microsoft-office-365-vs-google-apps.html">Office showdown: Microsoft Office 365 vs. Google Apps</a> (PCWorld)</p><p><a href="http://asia.cnet.com/ask/is-microsoft-office-2013-available-for-mac-users-62220347.htm">Is Microsoft Office 2013 available for Mac users?</a> (CNET)</p><p><a href="http://prmac.com/release-id-54654.htm">Microsoft Office Promo Code 2013 Get Discount on Genuine Software</a> (prMac (press release))</p><p>Explore: <a href="http://news.google.com/news/more?ncl=dJLqz25zTd9N84MXcaWpD09J3TRqM&ned=us">71 additional articles.</a></p>