Over the past months I have had people say to me something like:

• "I have a customer who wants to use the Action Pack, what can I tell them as to why it is wrong"
• "I know someone who is abusing the action pack by selling it to customers"
• "I think someone is listed locally as a partner and should not be"

I think this customer does not qualify or how do I tell people what is required to use the Action Pack

So here is how we can help.  To qualifty for the action pack you must (from https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/program/managemembership/actionpack/mapslicensing)

Who can subscribe to the Microsoft Action Pack?
The Microsoft Action Pack Subscription is available exclusively to consultants, value-added resellers, value-added providers, system integrators, developers, system builders, hosts and service providers who are enroled as Microsoft Partner Programme Registered Members and who distribute or influence their customers’ acquisition of Microsoft software and Microsoft-based solutions.

To become a partner, you need to look at the guide - https://partner.microsoft.com/UK/program/managemembership/actionpack/40005166

Who is Eligible to Join the Microsoft Partner Programme?
The Microsoft Partner Programme is designed only for businesses whose primary function is to sell, service, support, or build solutions on the Microsoft platform or to provide solutions based on Microsoft products and technologies to independent third-party customers. Examples of qualifying businesses are: consulting services providers, independent software vendors (ISVs), independent hardware vendors, large account resellers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), support providers, system integrators, system builders, training providers, value-added resellers and value-added providers who sell more than 75 per cent of their products and services to customers outside their own company. Examples of non-qualifying entities are non-profit organisations, academic institutions, students, government offices and businesses whose primary focus is non-IT related.

Specific types of businesses whose primary focus is non-IT related, but who have significant influence on technology purchases, may qualify to participate in the Microsoft Partner Programme.

On the very last point, to my knowledge this is basically accountants as they have a very strong sway for small business decision makers.

If they are unsure they can contact the Microsoft Regional Support Center to qualify their eligability

I don't think these people are really partners, can you get them removed from the program

To start with, check the qualification criteria above.  Once you have done this, you can send a mail to Dell Quinn who will be happy to ensure the organisation is checked out.  If they do not qualify then they will be told to destroy the action pack and buy legal software.  Please note this is for UK questions.  You will need to contact your normal Regional Support Center for other geographies.

ttfn

David