Microsoft CSP Licensing for Microsoft Partners
Stay compliant, reduce costs, and simplify your Microsoft licensing with our CSP offering built exclusively for the channel.
Microsoft Partners Cannot Self-License with Their Own CSP
If you are a Microsoft Partner using your own CSP account to license Microsoft products for your own business, you’re out of compliance. Many partners have received a Microsoft notice in the mail that refences official Microsoft documentation (Sample scenario 5).
Quick Action Towards Compliance is a Must
Many partners have been doing this self-licensing for years without realizing it was a problem. Now, Microsoft is actively enforcing this policy, and partners are receiving licensing violation notices that, left uncorrected, could put their partnership status at risk.
The Approach We Take for a Licensing Strategy
- Compliance Assessment
- We identify self-licensing violations before Microsoft does or give you a path towards compliance.
- IUR Entitlement Review
- Maximize benefits you might already have access to with your Microsoft Partnership but are underutilizing.
- Added Licensing Fulfillment
- If you need additional seats beyond what your IUR benefits cover, we can provide the right licensing while finding incentives to offset costs.
How The Partner Masters Helps Microsoft Partners with CSP Licensing
We are a CSP indirect reseller that works specifically and only with Microsoft Partners. We built this licensing service to help partners stay compliance and optimize their usage without competing for your business.
The Potential to Save Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars
Our approach to licensing goes far beyond buying more seats. We frequently uncover other benefits, incentives, and savings. Offsetting or eliminating costs with Internal Use-Rights benefits and tapping into Microsoft programs have saved some of our partners hundreds of thousands of dollars. So not only is it possible to adhere to the Microsoft Partnership terms of licensing, you can possibly save money through maximizing your partnership benefits along the way.
Received a Self-Licensing Notice? Get a Licensing Strategy in Place
If your account has been flagged by Microsoft, there is a path forward without panic. Acting early gives you far more control over the next steps. We know what this notice means and the way back to compliance along with the knowledge and expertise to discover savings along the way.
FAQ
What does it mean that Microsoft Partners can't self-license through CSP?
Microsoft's CSP program prohibits partners from selling Microsoft or third-party offers to themselves or their affiliate organizations as end customers. If you're purchasing licenses through your own CSP account for internal use, you're out of compliance.
What happens if I've been self-licensing and haven't been notified?
Microsoft is actively enforcing this policy. Even if you haven't received a notice, correcting self-licensing now avoids potential disruption to your partnership. Proactive action is always safer than waiting for enforcement.
What is a self-licensing violation notice?
It's a notification from Microsoft indicating that your licensing setup needs to change. It is not automatically an audit, but leaving it unaddressed can escalate into forced changes or impact your partner status.
Can I just buy licenses directly from Microsoft instead?
Yes. Purchasing through your corporate tenant at full commercial price keeps you compliant. However, before buying anything, it's worth confirming your team is fully leveraging IUR licenses first. They may cover more than you think.
How does The Partner Masters differ from other CSP resellers?
We work exclusively with Microsoft Partners, not end customers. We're not competing for your deals. Our role is to be your behind-the-scenes licensing partner helping you stay compliant, optimize costs, and uncover benefits you may not be using.
Can I use a combination of IURs and CSP licensing?
Yes, and most partners should. IURs cover a significant portion of internal licensing needs at no additional cost. CSP licensing through a trusted reseller fills the gaps beyond what IURs provide.
How do I know if my IURs cover what I need?
Your IUR entitlements are visible through Partner Command Center reports. The Partner Masters helps partners walk through these reports so the information is clear and actionable.