Questions & Answers on Developer Network (MSDN) Licenses

- Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) Development Platform and

  Development Library for Windows and Windows NT

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN) publishes two unique products:

• Microsoft Development Library
• Microsoft Development Platform

Because these two products are so unusual, their licensing plans are also unusual. As a result, MSDN members often have questions about licensing. This article provides the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

MORE INFORMATION

1. How Do the Development Library and the Development Platform Differ?

The Library contains all the technical reference material you need to develop Windows-based software, including technical articles, sample source code, books, journal articles, Microsoft technical white papers and specifications, as well as documentation for SDKs, DDKs, and tools such as Visual C++ and Visual Basic.

The Platform contains most of the software development kits (SDKs) and device driver kits (DDKs) Microsoft produces, along with current versions of all Microsoft operating systems. Operating systems are provided for the sole purpose of developing and testing your applications.

1. Does MSDN Publish Compilers?

MSDN is not in the business of distributing or selling compilers. Neither the Platform nor the Library provides compilers available via retailers. The Development Platform sometimes includes beta compilers for use with beta or pre-release operating systems; however, as soon as an operating system is released, MSDN removes the corresponding beta compiler from the Platform.

1. What Do the MSDN Licenses Let Me Do?

The Development Library and the Development Platform are licensed for use by specific individuals. When you join MSDN level 1 or 2, you are the sole licensee for these products. If an organization purchases MSDN level 1 or 2, then one specific individual must be designated as the MSDN member and licensee for the Library (level 1) or the Platform (level 2).

1. Can My Workgroup Use the Development Library over the Network?

The MSDN network licensing plan allows large groups of developers to access the Development Library economically over a network. Level 1 memberships can be arranged for groups of developers in three ways:

• You can purchase additional single-user licenses at an annual cost of $40 US or $55 CAN each. These licenses give a designated individual the right to access the software in the Development Library.
• You can purchase a five-concurrent-user license for the Development Library for $595 US or $835 CAN.
• You can purchase a 25-concurrent-user license for the Development Library for $2,495 US or $3,495 CAN.

1. Can I Share the Development Platform with Others in My Organization?

MSDN Level 2 membership includes a single-user license for the Development Library and Development Platform. Microsoft licenses operating systems, SDKs, and DDKs on a single-user-only basis.

1. Am I Allowed to Give My Old CDs to Friends or Co-workers?

In short, no. As new issues of the Development Library and Platform are released, you may continue to use the previous releases. However, the license agreement does not allow you (as the sole licensee) to hand your old releases to someone else. If your membership expires, you may continue to use your Development Library and Platform CDs.

1. Can I Use MSDN Sample Code in My Own Software?

You may, as part of your own applications, use and modify the source code version, as well as reproduce and distribute the object code version of the sample code, icons, cursors, and bitmaps provided in the Sample Code bin of the Development Library.

1. What About Licensing for Beta Software on the Development Platform?

The Development Platform contains some beta software subject to special licensing restrictions. The license for most beta software expires the moment Microsoft ships a final, retail version of the software. You can check the \LICENSE directory on the Development Platform to find unusual licensing provisions associated with specific beta software.

1. Does the MSDN License Let Me Make Copies of Articles, Code, or Other

You may make unlimited copies (print or soft copy) of any content in the Development Library, as long as it is for internal purposes. For example, you can share it with a fellow developer who runs into a roadblock and doesn't have an MSDN membership.

You may not, however, use the content for external purposes. For example, you may not use it as part of a training manual for clients, nor may you post content to a bulletin board system. Nor are you permitted to use or modify copies of the content in original works of your own without permission. If you are interested in such a thing, you will need to contact the Permissions Department at Microsoft, either by mailing them at One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052, or faxing to their attention at (206) 936- 7329.

1. Can I Redistribute Any of the DLLs or Operating Systems on the

You may not redistribute any of the operating systems. Much of the sample code and various components in the SDKs and DDKs are redistributable, but you need to read the individual license agreements in the \LICENSE directory on the Development Platform to find out exactly which components are redistributable. The Development Platform License Agreement contains the legal requirements you need to meet when redistributing components of the toolkits on the Platform.

REFERENCES

Most of the information in this article has been extracted from the July 1994 release of the MSDN News journal.

For more information on the MSDN's Development Library or Development Platform, query the Microsoft Knowledge Base using the words MSDNL1 or MSDNL2.