Expression Studio Upgrade License ...Strange Eligibility Criteria

I was looking at the prices to buy Expression Studio Ultimate ( mainly for Blend ) from Microsoft Online Store .. while going thru the site, I found Expresssion Studio upgrade License  (which is quite cheaper than full ).

What surprises me is the eligibility criteria mentioned 

http://apoc.microsoftstore.com/my/en-MY/microsoft/Expression-Studio-4-Ultimate-Upgrade/product/PDV3J790

"You must be a licensed user of one of the following products to be eligible for this upgrade version:

• Any Microsoft Expression product
• Any Adobe Creative Suite product
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or later "

As I understand the above text, it means even if I own Adobe Product or VS 2005/2010, I am eligible for Expression Studio upgrade ( even though I may not have earlier version Expression Studio ). This seems bit strange.

My query is :

1. If I have a normal MSDN license (which does not include Expression Studio ) and  VS 2005 / 2010 thru MSDN license, am I eligible for Expression Studio Upgrade ?

2. What if I have VS 2005/2010 independent license (non-MSDN) am I eligible for upgrade ?

3. In Normal upgrades as per my understanding older product is overwritten by the new product - so will VS 2005 /2010 functionality will be removed/replaced by Expression Studio  .. and I will not be able to use VS2005 / 2010.

4. How do you prove to MS that you possess licensed  Adobe Creative Suite product ?

I called MS Licensing Helpdesk and Store helpdesk ... but very sorry to say that  they really seems to have no idea ... and not seem to technical enough to understand the problem ...

Hope 9'ers or any other MS execs on C9 can help ... 

You don't need to make it more complicated:

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. No, the products are completely separated
4. Does it matter? You've already got a msdn license.

"You must be a licensed user of one of the following products to be eligible for this upgrade version:

• Any Microsoft Expression product
• Any Adobe Creative Suite product
• Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 or later "

It's called the "Competitive Upgrade", where users of rival software get a discount to switch to yours. Microsoft Office was available under similar terms where you could 'upgrade' from WordPerfect to Word without paying full-whack.

So in this case, Microsoft is looking to make Adobe CS users switch to Expression by enticing them with a discount.

4. How do you prove to MS that you possess licensed  Adobe Creative Suite product

There are different ways. If it's software-based, usually the setup program will either search your computer for an existing installation of Adobe's software or prompt you to insert the CD during setup. If it's a rebate system then you typically send in some kind of proof-of-ownership in the post, this can vary from ripping the cover off a manual to providing a signed and dated photograph showing your receipt for Expression in the same frame as the product box for the Adobe product.

I'm surprised the staff couldn't give you an answer, because they should have done.

Thanks ZippyV and W3bbo for your advise .. i will try to purchase upgrade license ... 

Hopefully no complications during install ..    

and yes I was really disappointed by the technical proficiency and attitude of MS Helpdesk which was specifically made for Licensing/Technical queries.

When i called them last monday  they escalated the case for providing more information and promised to contact me within 2-3 days.. The helpdesk did not callback as promised and had to be given reminder(s) and finally the answer they gave were really non-technical that "I will not be able create executable with VS2005/2010" after upgrade 

@Clint: As I am currently in Malaysia, I contacted MS telephone helpdesk for Microsoft store

http://apoc.microsoftstore.com/my/en-MY?WT.mc_id=StoreLocationToggle_MY/  

1-800-81-5565 

and Microsoft Technical / Licensing Support at

http://apoc.microsoftstore.com/my/en-MY/Help/Contact-Us

1800-88-6295 

by the way c9 team .. why is the thread formatting has become garbled ... i thought this bug was resolved during c9 rev beta ...

@xgamer:If you upgrade, you aren't supposed to continue using the product you upgraded from. It probably won't actively prevent it, but if you want to stay within the terms of your license then you shouldn't. If you're upgrading from Creative Suite, then as long as you don't use it any more you're fine.

The reason an option to upgrade from VS is included is that UI designers may have previously been using Visual Studio to design UI. if they upgrade to Expression, the assumption is they should no longer be working in VS. Again, it probably won't actively prevent this, it's an honour system kind of thing.

How did it work out?  What did it ask for during the install?  Are you still able to use Visual Studio 2010?

@NickWinters Managed to get the upgrade license and install without any problems... if i remember correctly it was a normal installation without any specific upgrade related prompts ...

I am Able to use Visual Studio 2010 without any problems...