MSDN subscriptions

Damien · 08-09-2008, 16:20

I know that a few people on here have MSDN subscriptions and I wanted to ask a question. What happens when the subscriptions expires, do you lose access to the MSDN download center, the technical support incidents, and importantly, does the licence for the existing downloaded software expire? I.E. Would you be breaking the terms of the Visual Studio licence to be developing commerical applications on a copy of the software that was obtained before the subscriptions expired?

AntiSilence · 08-09-2008, 16:48

I've not got an MSDN subscription, but I'm sure that's a "yes" to all the above questions. That's what happens with an Action Pack subscription.

Damien · 08-09-2008, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntiSilence

I've not got an MSDN subscription, but I'm sure that's a "yes" to all the above questions. That's what happens with an Action Pack subscription.

Well that's dumb from Microsoft, I understand most of it but losing the 'official' licence for your existing software is a bit of a rip..

DocDutch · 08-09-2008, 17:00

Damien, dont know for sure but think the license would still be valid.

AntiSilence · 08-09-2008, 17:13

Found this on Wikipedia if it helps:

Quote:

Even though an MSDN subscription is on an annual basis, the license to use the software, according to the agreement does not terminate. The individual just isn't entitled to any upgrades after the software is expired

Sir John Luke · 08-09-2008, 17:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by AntiSilence

Found this on Wikipedia if it helps:

That is indeed the case.

Damien · 08-09-2008, 18:37

Thats more like it..

**Rob M** · 08-09-2008, 18:47

Have to confess that I don't know, I really don't have anything to do with our subscription. It's a

corporate subscription (if you get my drift) which just gets renewed every whenever, no questions asked

Sir John Luke · 08-09-2008, 19:16

From the MSDN FAQs

"When a subscription expires, do the licenses terminate or are they still valid?
MSDN subscriptions have a perpetual license, so subscribers can still use the products received with their MSDN subscription after their subscription has expired."

Charlie_Bubble · 08-09-2008, 19:55

You can access the areas you used to on the MSDN site, but the download links will no longer be accessible. Not sure about technical support as I have never used it. The software you have is fine. I moved to a new subscription at work and had some software from the old subscription on my home and work PCs and it was still ok.

**Stuart C** · 08-09-2008, 19:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damien

Well that's dumb from Microsoft, I understand most of it but losing the 'official' licence for your existing software is a bit of a rip..

If you are talking about the MSDN Academic Alliance membership you get as a student then yes, you should lose access to the site (depending on how your administrator has set it up) at some point. Also, technically, the licences for any products you have are terminated when you finish the course.

Of course, that depends how the admin has set up the system, and Microsoft don't appear to disable Visual Studio when you leave the course.

Damien · 08-09-2008, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart C

If you are talking about the MSDN Academic Alliance membership you get as a student then yes, you should lose access to the site (depending on how your administrator has set it up) at some point. Also, technically, the licences for any products you have are terminated when you finish the course.

Of course, that depends how the admin has set up the system, and Microsoft don't appear to disable Visual Studio when you leave the course.

They don't disable them, but of course, they are not properly licensed and other products are unobtainable legally. I was thinking of the Expression Suite Subscription (blend, vs 2008 and more).