Jul 4, 2011 09:24 GMT  ·  By

The Golden Master build of Mac OS X 10.7 Lion that was seeded to developers last week has been leaked on at least one popular torrent site where it can be downloaded for free as a pirated work.

Needless to mention, we only report on these leaks solely for informational purposees. Just to be clear on this aspect, Softpedia does not encourage obtaining OS X Lion by means of torrenting.

Rather, those who fancy themselves a legitimate taste of Lion can plunk down $99 for an Apple developer license and get all the pre-release software their hearts desire.

However, with Lion just days away from its official debut, it’s probably best to just sit tight and download the OS when it’s released in the Mac App Store.

Confirmed for release this month, OS X Lion is the eighth major version of Apple’s Mac operating system.

It borrows key elements from iOS (the iPad version, mostly) and adds them to the familiar, but re-written desktop OS Apple fans have learned to cherish for its stability, simplicity and (why not?) security.

When it’s released, Lion will be a $30 digital download available solely to those who own an Intel-based Mac with a Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7 or Xeon processor, 2GB of RAM, and Snow Leopard installed.

Users will need at least version 10.6.6 of the current Mac OS, in order to use the built-in Mac App Store to download Lion.

However, Apple recommends that users install ‘the latest version’ of Snow Leopard - Mac OS X 10.6.8 - to ensure full upgrade compatibility with the new OS.

Apple also confirmed a Mac OS X Lion Up-To-Date upgrade program, available at no additional cost through the Mac App Store to all customers who purchased a ‘qualifying’ new Mac from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller on or after June 6, 2011.

Users must request their Up-To-Date upgrade within 30 days of purchase of their new Mac computer.