Vivek Thakur

The only question that keeps swirling around in the back of my mind is basically, playing devils advocate - how would the developer feel if the shoe was on the other foot...

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Lets say MS backs off and sends him a message basically stating. Ok, you got it. Go for it. Good job.

They have a nice little product.

Lets imagine it gets better and better and they say you know what - I really have something and I want to start selling it.
So they go to sell it and they release two versions - a full version and a trial to test it to see if you like it.

I or another dev comes along and then install their trial and then after looking over the code that is easily accessible then program an "add-on" that basically %choose your own terminology here% "unlocks" the functionality of his product without having to register it.
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Taking a step back - is that really so different from what his product is doing?

Reading some documentation, MS had to let those api's in there for use by other MS products such as the XNA add on.

VS Express came with a EULA, read it...
And if you don't like it - write your own ide to add your 'add-in' into.

Just my 2 cents and this on the issue.

I agree with you Tony, I also got to know that MS politely warned him many times explaining EULA issues but somehow there was no response.

I hope things get settled mutually before taking any ugly turn.