That information is contained in the EULA (end user license agreement.)
This agreement is displayed only once, if you accept it. The last
"notification" update was an update of a previous one--so if you accepted
the EULA on that one, you didn't get a chance to see it this time around.
The full text is available on the web as part of a long article excoriating
Microsoft for some aspects of how this process works:
http://blogs.zdnet.com/BTL/?page_id=3170&page=1
The link to the EULA is on page 15 ( I think this update is discussed
starting with page 11 or so)
Here's the text of the EULA:
They use the term pre-release, rather than beta, but I'm not sure whether
there's any distinction to be made between the two terms.
Please note the second bullet point under article 2--Installation and Use
rights.
I really don't know what to say about this--I know the lawyers make them put
this stuff in there, and we all know nobody reads it, but I can't see any
justification for putting this out as a critical update.
-------------------------
MICROSOFT PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS
MICROSOFT WINDOWS GENUINE ADVANTAGE VALIDATION TOOL
These license terms are an agreement between Microsoft Corporation (or based
on where you live, one of its affiliates) and you. Please read them. They
apply to the pre-release software named above, which includes the media on
which you received it, if any. The terms also apply to any Microsoft
· updates,
· supplements,
· Internet-based services, and
· support services
for this software, unless other terms accompany those items. If so, those
terms apply.
This software is a pre-release version of the software intended to update
the technological measures in Windows XP which are designed to prevent
unlicensed use of Windows XP.
By using the software, you accept these terms. If you do not accept them,
do not use the software.
As described below, using some features also operates as your consent to the
transmission of certain standard computer information for Internet-based
services.
If you comply with these license terms, you have the rights below.
1. OVERVIEW.
· When you install the software on your premises, it will check to make
sure you have a genuine and validly licensed copy of Microsoft Windows XP
("Windows XP") installed. If you have a genuine copy of Windows XP, you
receive special benefits, which are listed on the following link:
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39157.
· If the software detects you are not running a genuine copy of Windows
XP, the operation of your computer will not be affected in any way.
However, you will receive a notification and periodic reminders to install a
genuine licensed copy of Windows XP. Automatic Updates will be limited to
receiving only critical security updates.
· You will not be able to uninstall the software but you can suppress the
reminders through the software icon in the system tray.
· PRIVACY NOTICE: The validation process of the software does not
identify you and is used only for the purpose of reporting to you whether or
not you have a genuine copy of Windows XP. The software does not collect or
send any personal information to Microsoft about you. The sole purpose of
the software is to inform you whether or not you have installed a genuine
copy of Windows XP. However, Microsoft may collect and publish aggregated
data about the use of the software.
2. INSTALLATION AND USE RIGHTS.
· You may install and test any number of copies of the software on your
premises.
· You may not test the software in a live operating environment unless
Microsoft permits you to do so under another agreement.
3. INTERNET-BASED SERVICES. Microsoft provides Internet-based services
with the software. It may change or cancel them at any time.
a. Consent for Internet-Based Services. The software feature described
below connects to Microsoft or service provider computer systems over the
Internet. In some cases, you will not receive a separate notice when they
connect. You may switch off this feature or not use it. For more
information about this feature, see
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=56310. By using this feature, you
consent to the transmission of this information. Microsoft does not use the
information to identify or contact you.
i. Computer Information. The software uses Internet protocols, which
sends to Microsoft computer information, such as your Windows XP product
key, PC manufacturer, operating system version, Windows XP product ID, PC
BIOS information, user locale setting, and language version of Windows XP.
ii. Use of Information. We may use the computer information to improve
our software and services. We may also share it with others, such as
hardware and software vendors. They may use the information to improve how
their products run with Microsoft software.
4. PRE-RELEASE SOFTWARE. This software is a pre-release version. It may
not work the way a final version of the software will. We may change it for
the final, commercial version. We also may not release a commercial
version.
5. FEEDBACK. If you give feedback about the software to Microsoft, you
give to Microsoft, without charge, the right to use, share and commercialize
your feedback in any way and for any purpose. You also give to third
parties, without charge, any patent rights needed for their products,
technologies and services to use or interface with any specific parts of a
Microsoft software or service that includes the feedback. You will not give
feedback that is subject to a license that requires Microsoft to license its
software or documentation to third parties because we include your feedback
in them. These rights survive this agreement.
6. Scope of License. The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement
only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all
other rights. Unless applicable law gives you more rights despite this
limitation, you may use the software only as expressly permitted in this
agreement. In doing so, you must comply with any technical limitations in
the software that only allow you to use it in certain ways. You may not
· disclose the results of any benchmark tests of the software to any
third party without Microsoft's prior written approval;
· work around any technical limitations in the software;
· reverse engineer, decompile or disassemble the software, except and
only to the extent that applicable law expressly permits, despite this
limitation;
· make more copies of the software than specified in this agreement or
allowed by applicable law, despite this limitation;
· publish the software for others to copy;
· rent, lease or lend the software;
· transfer the software or this agreement to any third party; or
· use the software for commercial software hosting services.
7. Export Restrictions. The software is subject to United States export
laws and regulations. You must comply with all domestic and international
export laws and regulations that apply to the software. These laws include
restrictions on destinations, end users and end use. For additional
information, see
www.microsoft.com/exporting.
8. SUPPORT SERVICES. Because this software is "as is," we may not provide
support services for it.
9. Entire Agreement. This agreement, and the terms for supplements,
updates, Internet-based services and support services that you use, are the
entire agreement for the software and support services.
10. Applicable Law.
a. United States. If you acquired the software in the United States,
Washington state law governs the interpretation of this agreement and
applies to claims for breach of it, regardless of conflict of laws
principles. The laws of the state where you live govern all other claims,
including claims under state consumer protection laws, unfair competition
laws, and in tort.
b. Outside the United States. If you acquired the software in any other
country, the laws of that country apply.
11. Legal Effect. This agreement describes certain legal rights. You
may have other rights under the laws of your country. You may also have
rights with respect to the party from whom you acquired the software. This
agreement does not change your rights under the laws of your country if the
laws of your country do not permit it to do so.
12. Disclaimer of Warranty. The software is licensed "as-is." You bear
the risk of using it. Microsoft gives no express warranties, guarantees or
conditions. You may have additional consumer rights under your local laws
which this agreement cannot change. To the extent permitted under your
local laws, Microsoft excludes the implied warranties of merchantability,
fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
13. Limitation on and Exclusion of Remedies and Damages. You can
recover from Microsoft and its suppliers only direct damages up to U.S.
$5.00. You cannot recover any other damages, including consequential, lost
profits, special, indirect or incidental damages.
This limitation applies to
· anything related to the software, services, content (including code) on
third party Internet sites, or third party programs; and
· claims for breach of contract, breach of warranty, guarantee or
condition, strict liability, negligence, or other tort to the extent
permitted by applicable law.
It also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the
possibility of the damages. The above limitation or exclusion may not apply
to you because your country may not allow the exclusion or limitation of
incidental, consequential or other damages.
--
