Customer Access Under Microsoft MSDN Developer Licenses

Microsoft's MSDN subscription licenses often create license compliance problems.  These problems arise because it is extremely easy to over deploy Microsoft software using MSDN media because it includes a vast array of Microsoft products with limited deployment controls.  In addition, the licensing rules related to MSDN are often misunderstood.  One often overlooked aspect of Microsoft MSDN licensing is customer access to development projects for purposes of testing, quality assurance, or feedback. 

Microsoft has published a white paper clarifying the licensing rules regarding MSDN licensing. The white paper describes the following use cases where unlicensed users including certain third-parties may access software deployed under MSDN subscriptions: