FAQ
Q. Is there a cost to accessing source code through the Shared Source Initiative?
There is no cost associated with any of the current Shared Source offerings. In exchange for obtaining access to one of Microsoft’s most valuable assets, Microsoft requests that customers respect its intellectual property rights and treat the source code made available through the Shared Source Initiative in accordance with the applicable license terms.
Q. Who can participate in the Shared Source Initiative programs?
Over 90% of Shared Source offerings are available for download by anyone. Yet, some programs are tailored to meet the needs of a specific community. For these programs there are eligibility criteria to be met.
Q. Which countries are eligible to participate in the Shared Source Initiative programs?
The majority of Shared Source releases are available globally while a few are restricted by geography. For geographical eligibility, please consult the Shared Source Licensing Programs: Program Availability page.
Q. How Can I Get the Source Code?
Microsoft uses several Web sites and services to deliver source code to participants. Please consult the Source Code Venues for information regarding the specific delivery vehicles used for each offering.
Q. Is the Shared Source Initiative "Open Sourcing" Microsoft code?
No. The term open source software (OSS) is broadly applied to any (or a combination) of four interrelated concepts: the OSS development model, OSS philosophies, OSS licensing regimes, and OSS business models. However, first and foremost, OSS is a development model built around the idea of community creation and sharing of source code. The other three concepts, and the debates surrounding them, lend further definition to the OSS movement or "culture."
Microsoft has been learning from the OSS community regarding the benefits of deeper collaboration and increased transparency leading to better communication with customers. We believe the most effective pathway for a commercial software company is to strike a balance between investing in research and development and the release of intellectual property assets in the form of source code for both reference and collaborative purposes.
For more information on Microsoft and open source, please visit http://www.microsoft.com/opensource.
Q. What licenses are used for Shared Source releases?
Over the past 5 years, more than 80 technologies have been made available through Microsoft's Shared Source Initiative. Additionally, more than 600 non-Microsoft technologies have been released under a Shared Source license. Like most organizations dealing with the licensing of source code, Microsoft has utilized a range of approaches regarding the rights associated with a given source code release. This has resulted in a variety of source code licenses being used for Microsoft source code releases.
Microsoft is making it easier for developers all over the world to get its source code under licenses that are simple, predictable, and easy to understand. Microsoft has drafted three primary licenses for all Shared Source releases: the Microsoft Public License (Ms-PL), the Microsoft Reciprocal License (Ms-RL), and the Microsoft Reference License. Each is designed to meet a specific set of developer, customer, or business requirements.