Express Edition Licensing

The Express Edition of SQL Server 2012 is available via free download from www.microsoft.com/sql. Developers can redistribute it with their applications at no cost by simply registering for redistribution rights with Microsoft. The Express Edition does not require a CAL when it is used on a standalone basis. If it connects to a SQL Server instance running Enterprise Edition, Standard Edition, or Workgroup Edition, a separate user or device CAL is required for the device running Express Edition unless the SQL Server instance it connects to is licensed using the per-processor model.

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