Vistatorrent.com (which apparently is where Huw got his copy of Beta 2) has been ordered by Microsoft to take down the torrent for Windows Vista Beta 2. From the official email sent to the site:

Dear Sir or Madam,

Microsoft has received information that the domain listed above [www.vistatorrent.com], which appears to be on servers under your control, is offering unlicensed copies of, or is engaged in other unauthorized activities relating to copyrighted works published by Microsoft.

1. Identification of copyrighted works:

Copyrighted work(s):
Windows Vista Beta Build 5384

It’s interesting that Microsoft have only taken down the torrent now, after some of the rush for Beta 2 that was swamping its servers has now died down. Of course, this may be just legal processes taking a long time. So, the tracker for the torrent has been pulled from the site, so if you’re still looking to download the beta, Microsoft’s official download links look like the best bet.

Thanks to the Windows Vista Weblog for the original story.