It’s up to MS.  There are 4 possible ways (that I can think of).  They are listed in what I consider the liklihood.  I’m not sure how MS usually deals with beta’s of OSs.

1. People that are signed up with MS. I’m not sure how MS does it, but for example with Apple Developers pay to join Apple Developer Connection, and Apple Sends them every beta.

2. Only people inside MS, but it will probably be leaked like the last two alphas.

3. No one because it won’t be ready 😉

4. MS will release it to anyone that freely registers online.

My grandpa came from Iran and he bought alot of copies, anybody want to purchase???

how much?

microsoft could really get you for that couldn’t they? i’m not sure how all this leagal stuff works with iran’s non-existant copyright laws…

I’d like a copy, but how much?

its a BETA, just download it off Bit Torrent, or IRC. Longhorn has not been officially released, there is only an EARLY BETA.

There is no beta yet, it’s more like an Alpha.  Beta 1 comes out this summer.

No guys windows longhorn in its entirety has been released with packaging and all in Iran. Its obviously illegal but works perfectly. Its dirt cheap there and can be bought for between 1 to 15 USD. The only problem here is whether or not he is lying about his grandpa going to Iran and bringing back longhorn. If he can prove he has it through pics or watever then i believe him.

It’s only a beta, nothing else. It’s not the full thing, M$ is very far from being done with it.

who will allowed to get the beta version this summer?

I like number 4. :D

it will be released for MSDN subscribers. Just like every other Beta they release, except for that rare occasion when they release one for free to the public, like Visual Studio .net 2005 BETA.