It's become more and more common on this site to announce RTM products. That by itself is perfectly fine and a great opportunity for all members to know when a particular product has reached its finalized status. But what's more problematic with these announcements is that the announcer often report where to get it illegally.

This is not OK.

This site is not a warez site, and definately not a site where you announce where to get a particular cracked or non-cracked (but still illegally obtained RTM) product. We're aware that many of the source sites that posts these warez also posts betas, but these sites can then only be mentioned in the regards of the beta and nothing else. I've already removed several RTM announcements that by themselves were completely fine except that they mentioned where to illegally download the final RTM product. This is not permitted in any form on this site, if you can't afford to buy the RTM then you go elsewhere to grab your pirate copy, but do not involve BetaArchive in it. We will have nothing to do with that.

As for the announcements themselves they are fine, but instead of posting links, names or even hinting at where to get it illegally, post a link to an e-tailer that sells the product, even announce a price if you wish. But no not imply where to get it illegally.

Agreed. I'm sick and tired of where ever I go, I'll see, "Get Windows 8 for Free w/ crack!", or something like that. I don't condone illegal activity. You'd be dumb to do this kind of stuff. The Government will find out sooner or later.

Not trying to backseat moderate, but I think we shall be stricter with this, something like a 1-week tempban.

I also agree that this is no site for warez, but "The Government will find out sooner or later"?? Seriously, what country do you live in?

The Unites States of America

You must have not heard of the US, have you? Or pretty much any other country, for that fact

I didn't know that such things happened in America.

>SOPA
>PIPA
>CISPA

Have you been living in a cave?

Yes I'm fully aware of those plans, but I never saw any real life case where the government came after one person, only after large uploaders and sites that linked to and hosted the material.

Wow, I guess some people on this forum are really paranoid, huh? I have little problem with responsible piracy, but I agree BetaArchive shouldn't be involved with it.

Exactly what I mean!

I apologize for one of these threads being mine.

I fully agree with no posting of links to any of these sites. But is it ok if we post the news, not links but just news, like if someone makes a mini KMS activator. Can we post about that but with no links, just the news?

All news articles need the source so no not really.

What is the source is also just news, no links? Sorry I just want to make sure what I can and cant post so I dont get banned and to make this website even better and safer then it already is.

In what way is this relevent to BA? I get a post announcing an RTM build has leaked - that would be allowed providing it follows the rules above, but an activator? Who cares? It's not relevent to BA in any way.

That news also has a source, in essence you are still linking to the source, but hiding it between a middle man.

So to clarify, posts that announced an RTM had been leaked like the Windows 8 ones are okay? If you say what has been leaked but don't include a download link it's okay?

Yes.

Reding the notice, I don't think you are allowed to even mention the name of the site or the leaker, so I think you can announce its been leaked but not allowed to say anything about where its available, or how you can find it.

dont post or mention warez at all its simple if you cant do that then you should not be near any forums IMO. its illegal period.

It's not illegal to mention warez. And there are many forums dedicated to warez. People want to be notified about news. I don;t think it's right to not post about it. As long as there's no download link or instructions on how to get it.

I am ASHAMED of a forum that would condone illicitley illegal activity. horrendous. ashamed.

Only a few users messed up and regret their mistakes. Calm down, we're not selling bombs here, just a couple of mistakes and irresponsibility (me too, yes). WE DON'T CONDONE IT! That was clearly stated if you would have read the whole post.