when in doubt the RC begins to shut down on schedule and we as the candidates have to replace the expiring OS with the actual release of windows seven as testers will we have to pay the released copy?

Mah -Yes.. You'llhave to pony up and buy a copy. OR, you can go back to Vista or XP or whatever you had installed before.

The RC will expire on June 1, 2010. Starting on March 1, 2010, your PC will begin shutting down every two hours. Windows will notify you two weeks before the bi-hourly shutdowns start. To avoid interruption, you'll need to install a non-expired version of Windows before March 1, 2010. You'll also need to install the programs and data that you want to use. (Learn more about installing Windows.) For more informaiton: Windows 7 Release Candidate