Win7 .iso question

[Jam]

Well yeah, that thread should be taken down but things aren't enforced.

[Chippiewill]

I believe it is in fact illegal to redistribute Windows without permission of Microsoft so you can actually only get it from microsoft.

[StefanWolves]

I did get it from Microsoft, but accidently deleted the .iso. I still have the key...

[HotelUser]

I think this needs to be cleared up a little bit

The links the user posted do NOT contain a cracked version of Windows, or a version of Windows with a serial. The user has posted the official links Microsoft has set up in order to download Windows. There's nothing illegal about those links and you still need to purchase a valid license key to make use of them.

(My source here, which is on the official Microsoft domain and which is verified by Microsoft representatives)

I do wish to also point out to others here to bare in mind that if you suspect someone's genuinely posted a link to malicious, or illegally obtained software it's probably best to simply report the post so a member of the moderation team can bin it.

[StefanWolves]

Thank god, someone who agrees

I think this needs to be cleared up a little bit

The links the user posted do NOT contain a cracked version of Windows, or a version of Windows with a serial. The user has posted the official links Microsoft has set up in order to download Windows. There's nothing illegal about those links and you still need to purchase a valid license key to make use of them.

(My source here, which is on the official Microsoft domain and which is verified by Microsoft representatives)

I do wish to also point out to others here to bare in mind that if you suspect someone's genuinely posted a link to malicious, or illegally obtained software it's probably best to simply report the post so a member of the moderation team can bin it.

[GommeInc]

I believe it is in fact illegal to redistribute Windows without permission of Microsoft so you can actually only get it from microsoft.

There's no redistribution involved, they're official links set up by Microsoft as mentioned by HotelUser. IF it was illegal, then Amazon, DigitalRiver, Software4Students and many many other companies will be closed down for "redistributing" the links. It's illegal if it was an individual distributing the ISOs and if it was a cracked version which avoids an individual from buying the product. Seeing as this example includes a valid product serial and an official Microsoft product, there is no argument

[Chippiewill]

There's no redistribution involved, they're official links set up by Microsoft as mentioned by HotelUser. IF it was illegal, then Amazon, DigitalRiver, Software4Students and many many other companies will be closed down for "redistributing" the links. It's illegal if it was an individual distributing the ISOs and if it was a cracked version which avoids an individual from buying the product. Seeing as this example includes a valid product serial and an official Microsoft product, there is no argument

It's not illegal then because they have permission from Microsoft to redistribute it.

[GommeInc]

It's not illegal then because they have permission from Microsoft to redistribute it.

Exactly

It's only illegal if an individual is doing it, or an independent company.