[dread]

Quote

I had a call from Microsoft Legal this morning and they have told me that we are no longer allowed to endorse AutoPatcher on Neowin.

Microsoft will only allow updates to be downloaded from its own servers.

AutoPatcher started in 2003 and has been redistributed in some of the worlds best computer magazine cover CD/DVD's. I have no explanation for why Microsoft allowed it to continue unchecked for 4 years before making this decision.

I asked the representative if Windows Genuine Advantage had anything to do with it and he categorically told me this was not the case, he added that Windows Update for pre-Vista versions of Windows can now be accessed using Firefox and that the concern at Microsoft had more to do with the possible malicious code that could be redistributed with certified Microsoft updates.

We have no grounds to challenge the decision by Microsoft.

I'd like to thank the whole AutoPatcher team for their continued work, unfortunately none of the team is online, but they have been contacted via the AutoPatcher.com website by Microsoft Legal.

The AutoPatcher forums on Neowin have been disabled for guests and members.

Look here and here is the topic on the forums.

I cannot believe this. What will happen to all the other projects like it.

[Kelsenellenelvian]

I don't see the 98 projects being in trouble but I am pretty sure ryans may be next.

[Legolash2o]

No Way!! What would happen if AutoPatcher refused microsoft request?

[DigeratiPrime]

I did not use AutoPatcher but this is horrible news. MS is really losing touch with its customers interests.

[Kelsenellenelvian]

legolash2o, on Aug 29 2007, 05:17 AM, said:

No Way!! What would happen if AutoPatcher refused microsoft request?

Then MS would stomp the living sh*t outta them legally...

[DL.]

It's bad news for many people, it was an easy way to apply many hotfixes for those with English Windows.
Now they have to download all updates (WUD is useful here) and script the installation...

[ExcellentGuy]

This is unfair what will those windows users do who have original licensed versions of it? where will they get the updates from, who have no access to the internet. The only source was the magazines which carried auto patcher on their cd's and DVD's

[DL.]

ExcellentGuy, on Aug 29 2007, 02:12 PM, said:

This is unfair what will those windows users do who have original licensed versions of it? where will they get the updates from, who have no access to the internet. The only source was the magazines which carried auto patcher on their cd's and DVD's

They can download the updates on another computer, just like they would with AutoPatcher. If the computers doesn't even have Internet access they most likely don't need the updates.

[pppx00]

If M$ takes RyanVM Update Pack down, I'll switch to Kubuntu and Windows XP will be for games only.

[nuhi]

Uh. They started in Germany months ago, all update packs are now banned there. I thought it's just German government but it seems it's beginning to spread.

[Legolash2o]

DL., on Aug 29 2007, 01:27 PM, said:

It's bad news for many people, it was an easy way to apply many hotfixes for those with English Windows.
Now they have to download all updates (WUD is useful here) and script the installation...

There is no WUD for vista x64 updates

[soporific]

Kelsenellenelvian, on Aug 29 2007, 08:49 PM, said:

I don't see the 98 projects being in trouble but I am pretty sure ryans may be next.

You're dam* right the 98 projects aren't in trouble! They'll have to pry my dead fingers of my molten keyboard before Auto-Patcher for Windows98se goes away

EVEN THOUGH i make my own unattennded DVDs for my re-install Windows tasks, i still used AutoPatcher as a backup and also to check i had all the updates. Even so, i'm still fine, but what about everyone else that swore by the autopatchers? What are they going to do? Windows Update only does critical !! And suffer the poor folk with only modems.

Oh well, at least people have (or can get) the August 2007 edition ... or has it already disappeared? Thank Che i already have the full version with all the addons!

EDIT: yeah, WU does do more than critical but not like AutoPatcher did it.

This post has been edited by soporific: 29 August 2007 - 10:38 PM

[Tarun]

Windows Update does a lot more than just critical.

[Zxian]

legolash2o, on Aug 29 2007, 04:24 PM, said:

There is no WUD for vista x64 updates

That's just because nobody's made a Vista x64 UL yet.

[Thunderbolt 2864]

I use to use Authopatcher, but MS doing this is bulls***. Why stop now? Microsoft are complete as******, screw them.

[jcarle]

If someone knows how to get a hold of the lead developer of AutoPatcher, let him know that I'm trying to get a hold of him.

[dread]

They got a petition now or you can tell Microsoft what you think by going here. Look at this post jcarle. You could always ask on the topic in the forum in the link I posted originally. Everyone should spread the word about the petition. I would check back at Neowin they have some updates on the story, Microsoft Remains Silent on AutoPatcher.

What is the deal with MSFN showing ZDNet Australia as having the full story. Neowin is the first place to report it and Autopatcher used them as their forums and where all the latest updates and news are at for this.

[Tarun]

jcarle, on Aug 30 2007, 11:05 AM, said:

If someone knows how to get a hold of the lead developer of AutoPatcher, let him know that I'm trying to get a hold of him.

Here they are, right here on MSFN.

theblazingangel
nw_raptor

[cluberti]

Everyone, it's in the EULA that ships with every update package, and also you can find this in the Windows Update Terms of Service link as well - you are not allowed to redistribute updates from Windows Update or Microsoft, nor are you allowed to make any money from them:

Quote

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES.
Through its network of Web properties, Microsoft provides you with access to a variety of resources, including developer tools, download areas, communication forums and product information (collectively "Services"). The Services, including any updates, enhancements, new features, and/or the addition of any new Web properties, are subject to the TOU.


PERSONAL AND NON-COMMERCIAL USE LIMITATION.
Unless otherwise specified, the Services are for your personal and non-commercial use. You may not modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, transfer, or sell any information, software, products or services obtained from the Services.

And, if you install an update, you agree to the terms of the update's EULA:

Quote

NOTICE SPECIFIC TO SOFTWARE AVAILABLE ON THIS WEB SITE.
Any software that is made available to download from the Services ("Software") is the copyrighted work of Microsoft and/or its suppliers. Use of the Software is governed by the terms of the end user license agreement, if any, which accompanies or is included with the Software ("License Agreement"). An end user will be unable to install any Software that is accompanied by or includes a License Agreement, unless he or she first agrees to the License Agreement terms.

The Software is made available for download solely for use by end users according to the License Agreement. Any reproduction or redistribution of the Software not in accordance with the License Agreement is expressly prohibited by law, and may result in severe civil and criminal penalties. Violators will be prosecuted to the maximum extent possible.

WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, COPYING OR REPRODUCTION OF THE SOFTWARE TO ANY OTHER SERVER OR LOCATION FOR FURTHER REPRODUCTION OR REDISTRIBUTION IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED, UNLESS SUCH REPRODUCTION OR REDISTRIBUTION IS EXPRESSLY PERMITTED BY THE LICENSE AGREEMENT ACCOMPANYING SUCH SOFTWARE.

They also sold CDs and DVDs of the autopatcher discs, which violates the EULA as well.

[jcarle]

cluberti, on Aug 31 2007, 01:03 AM, said:

Everyone, it's in the EULA that ships with every update package, and also you can find this in the Windows Update Terms of Service link as well - you are not allowed to redistribute updates from Windows Update or Microsoft, nor are you allowed to make any money from them:

And, if you install an update, you agree to the terms of the update's EULA:

They also sold CDs and DVDs of the autopatcher discs, which violates the EULA as well.

So WUD is not infringing on the EULA since it doesn't redistribute the updates but instead downloads them directly from Microsoft onto the user's computer. WUD acts in the same way as a non-microsoft browser would, like Firefox. No?