October 5, 2001 12:30 PM PDT  Microsoft eases costly license
change  Bowing to customer pressure, Microsoft has backed off a
controversial licensing provision that forced some customers to
pay twice for the software they purchased.  Microsoft quietly
introduced the change on Oct. 1 in conjunction with another
sweeping licensing revision that, according to research firm
Gartner, raised software costs for many customers from 33
percent to 107 percent.  "The message here is customer pressure
works, and the government scrutiny helped," said Gartner analyst
Neil MacDonald.  But the change, while technically a victory for
Microsoft customers, may not be logistically feasible for many
of those affected. A provision affecting Windows XP could compel
some companies to subscribe to a higher-level volume-licensing
program than the one they use today.  A Microsoft representative
confirmed the company had relaxed the restrictions on
"reimaging" but could not immediately offer additional comment.
Under the old licensing p