I know that source code can have a license. For example, if my code is released under GPL(e.g. v2), there are some restrictions that say what anyone who wants to use my code must do.
I've found a tutorial for SDL(lazyfoo). There's FAQ.
One of the points mentions "translating the code to the other programming languages". The author strictly prohibits this. Is this backed up by law? Can an author of the code forbid me from rewriting his code into other lanuage, and if yes, what are limitations of what can I (re)write?