I've noticed that some people in this particular section of the website seem to think one (or more) of the following things:

1) An alpha/beta/RC version of Windows/Service Packs/Office (et al) is not copyrighted.

2) Its safe to use alpa/beta releases if you've got them from Microsoft, but don't belong to the alpha/beta group.

3) Its "ok" to make multiple copies of your alpha/beta software to give to your friends/family members.



Well, for those of you that think one of the above, you're quite wrong.

Microsoft software (and pretty much any copyrighted software) will usually come with a license (typically called a EULA, or "End User License Agreement") which states the terms and conditions under which you have been granted use of the software.

1) The EULA is applicable to any and all versions of software, whether it has been supersceded by a new release or not (at least until the license changes). This means, that alpha/beta/RC versions of Microsoft (and indeed any copyright protected software) are indeed copyright, and protectable under law.

2) You are not allowed to download alpa/beta/RC software from Microsoft unless you have been given permission to do so by Microsoft. You can request to become a member of the Betaplace testing community (this however does not automatically grant you immediate license to download the software though). You are licensed to download and use software from Betaplace once you've been invited to join a beta test.

3) You are not allowed to make copies (or leak) software to your friend/family/the Internet. Doing so is a direct violation of the EULA in which you've installed and or are using the software.


Microsoft have every right to protect the copyright on their software, whether it is alpha, beta, or release candidate (or other). This is also true of any other copyright protected software.

*removed last line*

Yeah, right !

Why do you think boards like this exist in the first place ? They are frequented by people, who want to get their hands on illegal software, or find out how to tweak it, to get it doing the things they want it to do. The plain fact that boards EXIST which deal with M$ Longhorn is an answer in itself.
Frankly, I think M$ don't give a s*** about it either. I think they read these boards too, and take advantage of it. All the problems with LH we come accross, are probably monitored, and if some serious problem (to their judgement) pops up, they sure-as-hell will do someting about it in one of the next releases. So, in a way, the people on these boards are "uninvited" testers

Of course you're right about the licences, EULA's etc. Software-companies DO have a right to protect their work and make sure everybody pays for a license, they have to make a living too. I'm equally convinced, that the devellopment of new software benefits from the activities in the underground scene, as well as in time, as in the early discovery of bugs.

Whether Microsoft give a "s***" about it or not is their own choice.

If you take a look at the very top part of this particular forum, you'll see this plastered about:

"This is not a warez site! Links/Requests to warez and/or illegal material (porn, cracks, serials, etc..) will not be tolerated. Discussion of circumventing activation/timebombs will also not be tolerated. If you ignore any of the aforementioned you will receive a final warning. If you choose to continue, you will be banned without notice."

This thread was only created to alert people to some of the common misconceptions that have been generated by some people within these forums, and to help those that don't really know much about this issue understand it a little bit better.

Ultimately, its up to the individual if they wish to use illegally obtained programs etc.
Hopefully, this thread helps them make a slightly more informed decision before they do it.

OK here is the deal. I am the moderator of this forum. If I think that someone has not complied with the rules I will close, move or delete the thread. As well the offender will be notified by PM. If there is a second infraction I will request that they be band from MSFN.

neophyte is on target here. If what he is saying or what I am doing seems unfair to you then I suggest that you contact another member of the staff to complain. If your reason for coming here is to get warez or support it in any way then you have come to the wrong place.

I'm not mad at Neophyte or anything. He's right about M$'s intellectual rights, and about the forum rules. No problem.
What's questionable about the whole thing, is that we are discussing how to get things going on the Longhorn platform, while owning a copy is in fact illegal if you weren't invited to the recent PDC. If you did not attend the meeting, you simply can't have a 'legal' copy of LH.
From all the members at this forum maybe a few folks own a legitimate copy, and all the rest is way out of line. Should they all be banned then ?

I think we all know that we're playing with illegal toys, so there's no need to warn us about it.

Watch what you say tgvjtje. You do not know who has what. Just because you may do things in an illegal manner does not mean that others do. I work very hard to keep my system on the up an up as I am sure others do. As far as knowing who has a legal copy of LH goes it is pretty simple to do. If you have a legal copy you do not have to ask how to get around this or that to make it work.

Quote from tgvjtje:


If it is determined that someone is trying to use MSFN for anything stated here:

** This is not a warez site! Links/Requests to warez and/or illegal material (porn, cracks, serials, etc..) will not be tolerated. Discussion of circumventing activation/timebombs will also not be tolerated. If you ignore any of the aforementioned you will receive a final warning. If you choose to continue, you will be banned without notice. **

then yes they should and will be band according to the rule.

If for some reason you are having a hard time with the rules please feel free to spend your time somewhere else.

Tinker and neophyte: I am on your side with this one.

@tgvjtje, "Boards like this" MSFN is all about helping the weary individual, you cannot judge all boards by the offences committed by others, that is simply not acceptable, one must be open minded when making such comments.

OK guys, I'll back off.

It was not my intention to insult anyone. I too care about the right licences etc. I paid for my W95, W98 W2000 and WXP, and lots of other software such as anti-virus, firewalls, office-applications etc.

I simply don't believe that EVERYONE frequenting this board owns a legitimate copy of LH. If thats reason enough to ban me: so be it.

I downed my LH from the net, since I wasn't invited to the PDC, and wanted to see with my own eyes what is was all about. It's my strong belief, that M$ knowingly leaked various alpha's, and by doing so, trying to get some response out of the real world (outside the M$-labs that is).

Is this legal ? No.
Is this illegal then ? No again.

The (non-PDC) LH-testers operate in a grey area, where the 'normal' rules don't apply, and their work / efforts / posts / ideas / tweaks will beyond doubt help M$ to produce a good solid stable secure LH-Beta.

As far as I'm concerned, this topic may be closed now. Enough said about it.

tgvjtje: Hey, I'm quite sure there are people who do own legitimate copies of Longhorn that post here.

And there are also probably a few who don't.

Sadly, when you cast the net, you're bound to catch that which you don't want/need to.

This thread isn't aimed at those people.

Agreed !