There WILL be trouble ahead

[Steven P. Administrators]

Anyone inquiring or posting about how to get the illegally obtained RTM (final version of) Windows 7 will be moderated.

You may have your posting abilities removed, remember.. this is the final gold version that will ship in the shops, it is no longer considered beta by Neowin or Microsoft.

[Miuku.]

I'm guessing it won't be a hug and a pat on the head kind of moderation?

[LiquidSolstice]

I'm guessing it won't be a hug and a pat on the head kind of moderation?

I think it's safe to hazard a guess that it would NOT be. ;)

[Ji@nBing]

I'm guessing it won't be a hug and a pat on the head kind of moderation?

I'm thinking it will be more like the kind that involves headbutts. Several of them.

[Sam Symons Veteran]

Headbutts are if you're lucky :p

[Konstanov]

So we can't talk about our trips to China?

[Death Proof]

My Middle name is Trouble

[Snowl]

Does technet/msdn count? :p

[fhpuqrgrpgvirzhpujbj]

If I post a link to google searching for pandas, and they click it, and replace pandas with the build string, do I get in trouble?

[Xerxes]

Does technet/msdn count? :p

I'd say it would, considering getting a MSDN/Technet account with the intent of getting Win7 RTM (for personal, extended use) is illegal, end off. Unless your a developer or tester you have no business getting those accounts, I know people don't care :p but in the eyes of the law it's still illegal (far as I understand anyway).

[fhpuqrgrpgvirzhpujbj]

But they're gonna develop their knowledge of Windows 7 by using it :p

[REM2000]

My Middle name is Trouble

mine is Danger

[ilovetech]

So we can't talk about our trips to China?

yes & even our trip to russia.... :p

[code.kliu.org]

Trouble right here in Neowin with a capital "T" that rhymes with "D" that stands for "Download"? :D

[ToneKnee]

Sounds like I need to be promoted to moderator, I'll bang some heads for you! :D

[episode]

I'd say it would, considering getting a MSDN/Technet account with the intent of getting Win7 RTM (for personal, extended use) is illegal, end off. Unless your a developer or tester you have no business getting those accounts, I know people don't care :p but in the eyes of the law it's still illegal (far as I understand anyway).

Illegal and against ToU/EULA are completely different. I wish people would stop throwing 'illegal' around when the law of the state/country has nothing to do with it.

[Thunderbuck]

I'd say it would, considering getting a MSDN/Technet account with the intent of getting Win7 RTM (for personal, extended use) is illegal, end off. Unless your a developer or tester you have no business getting those accounts, I know people don't care :p but in the eyes of the law it's still illegal (far as I understand anyway).

It is not "illegal" to get a TechNet or MSDN subscription if you're not a "developer or tester"; they're sold at retail and MS doesn't give a whit who buys them (assuming you don't live, say, in North Korea).

As to the "legailty" of using Win7 licenses obtained on TechNet or MSDN, I found this excerpt of a blog posting on the Windows 7 Team Blog to be really interesting:

Beta testers will not automatically receive a free copy of Windows 7. Many beta testers are already subscribers to TechNet; those of you who fit that description will be able to download Windows 7 RTM shortly after RTM happens for free as part of your subscription.

(emphasis mine)

This carries the implication--for me, anyway--that they're perfectly aware of how subscribers use their licenses.

[MistaT40]

I'm thinking it will be more like the kind that involves headbutts. Several of them.

Maybe a pat to your wallet and pockets.

So we can't talk about our trips to China?

And how you found a stash of them?

[Gio Takahashi]

Headbutts are if you're lucky :p

Whip would be more fun.

[Death Proof]

mine is Danger

Together we can get into some Dangerous Trouble , that even this Bond kid cant get us out of .

[gigapixels Veteran]

If I post a link to google searching for pandas, and they click it, and replace pandas with the build string, do I get in trouble?

I will personally throw the banhammer at you for that one.

Pandas?! What a crazy idea!

:p

[Calum Veteran]

Whip would be more fun.

Duly noted.

;)

[*RedBull*]

:ninjapirate: Link to download RTM version of Windows 7 for FREE If it's not FREE there will be trouble.

[primexx]

It is not "illegal" to get a TechNet or MSDN subscription if you're not a "developer or tester"; they're sold at retail and MS doesn't give a whit who buys them (assuming you don't live, say, in North Korea).

As to the "legailty" of using Win7 licenses obtained on TechNet or MSDN, I found this excerpt of a blog posting on the Windows 7 Team Blog to be really interesting:

(emphasis mine)

This carries the implication--for me, anyway--that they're perfectly aware of how subscribers use their licenses.

hmm that is REALLY interesting.

The EULA for TechNet definitely prohibits this, but if official MS sources say otherwise, I might go ahead and grab a TechNet license instead of driving down to Redmond...

Anyone know how to get this confirmed?

[null_]

hmm that is REALLY interesting.

The EULA for TechNet definitely prohibits this, but if official MS sources say otherwise, I might go ahead and grab a TechNet license instead of driving down to Redmond...

Anyone know how to get this confirmed?

When I spoke with Microsoft Licensing a few months ago, I asked them "if TechNet subscriptions could be used for personal use on a home desktop or notebook, as long as you were not running a business with the software" in regards to my own TechNet subscription and was told "no, you can not use TechNet subscriptions for personal use. They are for evaluation purposes only", which is what the EULA states.

However, that being said, the Windows Team Blog isn't the only source who have implied that TechNet subscriptions can be used at home. The Canadian IT Pro Connection blog, located at http://blogs.technet.com/canitpro/, states:

Full-version software for evaluation - without time limits ? including Microsoft operating systems, servers, and Office System software. This is software that is ? licensed for evaluation purposes only?not for use in production environments? which basically means you can use it in your home, your test lab, you learning environment etc?

It is definitely a bit of a grey area, so I'd recommend using your own discretion (eg. be smart about it, don't run a business with TechNet software, etc).