Questions tagged [software]
For questions involving programming underlying computers and machines. Consider using the [open-source-software] tag if the question is about open source software or licensing.
640
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25 views
Is using proxies to circumvent rate limit to scrape data legal?
Im under the Indian jurisprudence and this is what the Indian Information Act of 2000/66F says on the matter,
Indian Information Act 2000/66F
Punishment for cyber terrorism.– Whoever,– with intent ...
0
votes
1answer
42 views
What is the definition of computer virus by law?The definition seems to be broad
According to theITAct the definition of computer virus as givenhere says that it is any information that executes itself as soon as another program is started.Now many apps are set to autostart with ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
Is it legal to publish a third-party server software that allows people to host their own dedicated server for a game?
One of our favorite online games recently got all its servers shut down so that it isn't playable anymore. As a few friends and I are quite experienced at programming and reverse engineering, we have ...
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2answers
86 views
Is possible to prevent a site using my code?
I was told even when we cannot patent the code, there is a copyright or intellectual property on it. But what can we do with that? is that protecting from someone else using the code?
If yes, what are ...
0
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0answers
49 views
Is telling others how to crack software illegal?
There's this program from a few years ago that isn't being sold anymore, and there's a simple way to extend the free trial forever by changing the expiration date in a text file.
I was wondering if it ...
-2
votes
1answer
68 views
Is putting a warning enough to make your hacking software legal? [closed]
I never wrote a license or a readme for a program.
This is my readme.txt inside the folder of the program that gets downloaded :
ATTENTION: HACKING IS ILLEGAL USE THIS AT YOUR OWN GMAIL ACCOUNTS THE ...
0
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0answers
54 views
Advertising in mobile apps and proof of consent
What does CCPA require for proof of consent to display advertising in mobile applications (vs a web site), especially for apps that do not create a user profile? Hypothetically, would it be sufficient ...
1
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3answers
198 views
Is it legal to publish a game that already exists but it was 100% developed by me
I am a lover of classic games and I've developed some classical games such as:
Connect 4
Monopoly
Trivial
Battleship
My main question is what will happen if I publish any of these applications in ...
1
vote
1answer
67 views
Is it legal to depict public government buildings in a video game?
At my business, some people are deliberating about adding public government buildings to a level in our game. There are concerns about whether this is legal. I thought for sure I played games in the ...
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Does this Intellectual Property Agreement assign the rights to IP created after employment ends?
This is an extract from a software developer Intellectual Property Agreement:
“Intellectual Property Rights”: patents, rights to Inventions, utility
models, copyright and neighboring and related ...
0
votes
2answers
67 views
Can i get sued by using a VFX in game, that are similar to Marvel`s VFX (The Avengers)?
I am developing a game and ended up creating an effect which triggers on enemy death. An enemy dissolves and spreads particles around. The end effect reminded me a bit of the movie The Avengers and ...
0
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2answers
90 views
At what point does an AI become a person?
When is a fully autonomous machine that can communicate with society and think for it self become classified as a being that can "own" property and manage others? Also, do they have certain ...
1
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0answers
25 views
Is it legal to use and/or share expired software that is still copyrighted ? Can people still be sued even if the company was bought or dissolved?
Some examples of expired software:
Macromedia Flash 8 : Macromedia company bought by Adobe
Electric Rain Swift 3D : Electric Rain company went down / disappeared
Is it legal to use and/or share ...
2
votes
1answer
86 views
When will Flash copyright expire?
It would seem Adobe will kill Flash, but not release its source code under a free license.
So, when will Macromedia Flash’s copyright expire?
1
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0answers
53 views
Is there a legal distinction between updating existing software and installing new software?
This is a follow up on this popular question. Microsofts EULA terms for Windows 10 clearly state that Microsoft may update their software without the users explicit consent for each update. On the ...
-1
votes
1answer
60 views
Will the license I am writing hold up? [closed]
I am writing a software license for my software that I wrote and I wondering if I could take someone to court if, for example, they shared the source code.
My goal is to have a license that you can ...
30
votes
3answers
9k views
Is it legal for Microsoft to install software without user approval?
On several occasions, Microsoft had misled their users to forcefully install updates or unwanted programs (like Windows 10 on Windows 7 here, here, here, and here), it also has forcefully installed ...
2
votes
2answers
122 views
If a company has agreed to add my software to their catalog, are they obliged to add it within a certain time?
My software product was invited to be part of a catalog of a software company (July 2020). Once it is available in this catalog, I will get paid royalties if people use my software.
To be included, I ...
0
votes
2answers
49 views
Legal status of js code on web-site
Normally, every code, distributed to be run on user machines, come with a license. If you do not agree with a license, you can't run a code. Moreover, license clearly states responsibility of the ...
0
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0answers
59 views
How to describe your experience in your CV/Resume without breaking copyright / GDPR rules?
Are there rules (EU & US) defining how far one can go in decribing his professional experience as a software developer, and telling about the projects he worked on?
For example, if I do not ...
1
vote
2answers
87 views
Are there any laws around viewing the messages of the members of a site you own?
If I build a website that has a messaging feature between users, what laws are there governing my behavior as the owner of the website?
That is to say, I am the sole moderator and database ...
0
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0answers
72 views
Is it illegal for a game company to continue selling a game to all customers when it only plays on older computers?
I’ve been trying, and struggling, to get in contact with Big Fish Games regarding one of their games. I have gotten one reply from a real person, telling me that the game is only playable on Windows 7 ...
1
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1answer
52 views
Does a YouTuber have any copyrights over a processed video
This is how YouTube works:
A user records a video (user has copyright)
The user then uploads the video to YouTube
YouTube stores the file privately and processes it
Processing basically records the ...
2
votes
1answer
99 views
If Google wins Google v. Oracle America then would creating API compatible software clones be legal?
As of this writing, the Google v. Oracle America case over some of the Java APIs is set for argument on Wednesday, October 7, 2020 in the US Supreme court. If Google wins the case will that mean that ...
1
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1answer
105 views
Is Including a Watermark in Content a Form of Copyright Infringement?
About 10 years ago, I uploaded a video to Youtube that I presume was created with a presumably free video editor that left a Watermark in the video.
I know a copyright claim being filed is unlikely, ...
0
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0answers
52 views
Can hardware vendor stop 3rd parties from enabling users do what vendor does not purport for?
Hardware vendor A sells devices X to end users. A wants users to use X in a particular fashion, for which it provides all the means (e.g. A wants users to only run software that A approves, and so A ...
1
vote
1answer
77 views
For non-commercial research purposes is it legal to collect images using Google and Bing?
Would it be legal to collect images from Google and Bing and then use them within non-commercial research. These images would never be redistributed and during the research be converted into data that ...
1
vote
1answer
39 views
Accidental infringement of 3rd party IPR
Need some help with a peculiar problem Google is unable to help me with.
I’m about to enter into a contract as a Software Consultant with a product company to help them with their product development. ...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
Is there a name for this type of warranty?
Imagine a software company produces a website for a client and has the following warranty:
Month 1: Any major or minor code bugs will be fixed free of charge, including any text or graphical errors
...
4
votes
1answer
115 views
Is it illegal to display a price perpetually while giving the impression it's a discount?
Over a year ago I checked out and even purchased a license for Spine.
https://esotericsoftware.com/spine-purchase
At the time it had an offer from $99, to $69.
I didn't have plans to use it yet, but I ...
0
votes
2answers
64 views
If the terms of service of a software change, do they only apply to versions released after the date?
A company offers a downloadable product on their website. The product has been in development for years and there have been many versions released. The company has a set of terms and conditions that ...
8
votes
5answers
4k views
Could a programmer use the code that they made for another company?
If someone made a piece of software for another company but never gave away the intellectual property rights or signed anything, could they use that code in other similar software? Could they sell it?...
2
votes
0answers
64 views
TikTok/WeChat bans and open source software
The executive orders dealing with TikTok and WeChat don't apply to just those particular pieces of software, but "any transaction by any person, or with respect to any property, subject to the ...
1
vote
3answers
80 views
Is it legal to demand a user agree to an EULA after the product has already been purchased?
First I'd like to note that I'm primarely interested in Canadian law, but answers about the law in other countries is fine as well.
I've encountered this situation on multiple occasions, such as when ...
3
votes
2answers
57 views
Does the license need to be specified in every file of a project?
It is common for open source projects to have a LICENSE file containing (obviously) the project's license.
It is however also common for open source projects to copy said license in each file of the ...
5
votes
3answers
360 views
What exactly is banned if the US TikTok and WeChat bans go into effect?
On August 6, 2020, President Trump issued two executive orders, EO 13942 banning TikTok, and EO 13943 banning WeChat, in 45 days if they are still owned by their original companies (as I understand it)...
2
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0answers
54 views
Are stack traces copyrightable?
I am considering to include stack traces in teaching materials and was thus wondering whether they were copyrightable and if so, who would own the copyright and what would that entail to them and to ...
0
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0answers
13 views
Examples of listing common software IP assignment agreements exhibits
I'm wondering if there are any examples of listing common forms of software assets for Exhibit A's in assignment agreements (like when purchasing or selling assets). For example, GitHub repositories, ...
0
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0answers
61 views
Risk/Information Regarding Copyright/Trademark Violation
I have previously participated in the illicit accessing of files (music, etc.) that were most likely copyrighted/trademarked/etc. as well as the distribution of modified versions of these files (...
0
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4answers
936 views
Can a programmer be liable if a customer commits a crime using their software?
Is it true that if a programmer writes a program, sells the program to a customer and customer commits a crime with this program, the programmer might be found liable by the court? I was wondering as ...
1
vote
1answer
66 views
Should I worry about code plagiarism if it's my code?
If I wrote a code by myself, which I know is my code because I myself have thought about the logic and code while developing it.
But if the same logic and code was thought by somebody else and is used ...
0
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0answers
23 views
Is there anything in IP Law (software related) that can prevent an independent contractor from taking on multiple clients in the same industry?
Say I am an independent contractor, and I plan on taking on a new client (client A). They are a healthcare company, in the healthcare industry. I finish building them a custom software solution. Say ...
1
vote
1answer
58 views
Why is digital copyright seemingly impotent compared to its physical counterpart?
I often hear on the news about patent infringements being enforced on physical products - such as different types of wrenches, machinery, and toys.
However, I cannot recall an instance where an online ...
1
vote
1answer
85 views
Stolen code in a GPL repo
Quite an odd thing has happened. A software author as released a repo under GPL 3.0 license
But inside that repo is code that the author doesn't own in any way and has no license. Now when people fork ...
1
vote
0answers
59 views
Anti-Piracy measures (freeware software)
So I was checking out the license agreement of a software product that I acquired the past days and noticed this section, please notice it was freeware software:
You agree that if you are found to be ...
-1
votes
1answer
49 views
How to register a license for a software in India?
I have decided that I want to go ahead with the AGPL license for my software. What is the procedure that one has to go through in India so that the LICENSE holds in court. Will a LICENSE file along ...
0
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1answer
106 views
Is it legal to write a program that does something illegal but make sure the code won't ever be executed? [duplicate]
I was wondering the following: Suppose a programmer writes a program that has no license info but does something illegal, never runs the code but puts it to the Github. According to this: What are the ...
1
vote
3answers
106 views
Is offline-only processing a “‘processing” as understood by GDPR?
GDPR, article 4, point (1) states:
‘processing’ means any operation or set of operations which is
performed on personal data or on sets of personal data, whether or not
by automated means, such as ...
0
votes
3answers
86 views
What does the patent litigation piece of the Apache License mean?
I am looking at this from Wikipedia:
The Apache License 2.0 makes sure that the user does not have to worry about infringing any patents by using the software. The user is granted a license to any ...
4
votes
1answer
82 views
What is my responsibility related to GDPR as a Freelance developer
I'm a Software Engineer, and I've just taken my first "side gig" job in hopes of becoming Freelance one day. I'm based in the UK. My Client told me exactly what they want, and i've built it. ...
