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.
-4
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0answers
50 views
possible problems when removing a license
Specifically speaking of free software licenses, and particularly speak of Blende.org / Blender 2.7xx.
I want to know what happens if I withdraw the license and / or replace it with another one. I am ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
How to retain ownership of software created outside of work?
This question is very similar to Do software developers typically retain ownership of work done OUTSIDE of work?, but I'd like to add the following clarification:
The last few employment agreements I'...
0
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0answers
8 views
Required disclaimers to minimize liabilities for a search engine [on hold]
I have been working on a search engine.
It is using APIs and will probably crawl some websites.
Therefore, it is building up on many different pages.
I am not checking the contents that my search ...
0
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0answers
21 views
Is it legal to copy the structure of a program
If there is a software suit or library API, and I would like to build my own with similar capabilities, is it legal to copy the structure of the former, but using my own code.
For example, say a ...
0
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0answers
31 views
Can I adapt real life games to videogames? [duplicate]
I was thinking of developing a Taboo game for Android Devices. But am I allowed to do so, knowing that the game exists in real life? (meaning can the inventor of Taboo sue me?)
And how do I know ...
0
votes
1answer
30 views
What license model to use for disclosing the source code of a paid software product?
I am developing and selling a piece of software over the internet. Recently a customer has asked me for a copy of the source code, so he can add custom features and maybe also assist to fix bugs. He ...
0
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0answers
18 views
Can Google sue people who use Android Studio to write root-based apps?
In 3.2 of the Android SDK (and Android Studio) EULA, it says that I am not supposed to develop for non-CTS compliant versions of Android. Does that mean Google can sue people who use Android Studio to ...
2
votes
1answer
42 views
Is downloading YouTube videos legal for personal use? [duplicate]
Hypothetical: I am learning a language at the moment and have found certain playlists very useful. I want to have them on the go and have written an application to download and manage downloaded ...
0
votes
1answer
98 views
Is it illegal to post a software without permission?
I am making a software which would do gridcomputing (i.e combine many computers processes to speed up a Function/App/Computer) I would post it online like a virus and spread to computers. This ...
0
votes
1answer
59 views
What level of support is legally required for off-the-shelf software?
When writing and selling off-the-shelf software, there can be warranty requirements for security updates and functional bugfixes. But are there legal requirements to offer support that goes beyond ...
0
votes
2answers
32 views
Would showing code in a book which was written with a student or personal license not be allowed?
I was writing a book which I'm considering publishing in the future, but I realized that there was some code I wanted to include that might be an issue. I wrote it with a student license, so would ...
0
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0answers
47 views
Is it illegal to create software automation bots?
I am a freelance programmer and I create various tools for customers and often different kinds of bots that trade on platforms, advertise on chatrooms, automate traffic, post articles, gamble online, ...
1
vote
2answers
62 views
Are file hash codes really unique identifiers? [closed]
It is often said in judicial opinions and legal briefs that the hash value derived from a file is like a fingerprint that uniquely corresponds to the source file. See, e.g., http://www.ca5.uscourts....
0
votes
1answer
48 views
Software Startup Legal Consulting [closed]
I was curious how important it is for a software startup to seek legal council during the fundraising/growth stages. Basically, I don't want to be up a creek if we have some data breach or hack. How ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
Could I remove GPLv2 from this algorithm implementation? [migrated]
I have a project that I started a long time ago and licensed under GPLv3.
It uses an implementation of a particular algorithm, where the implementation is licensed under GPLv2.
The algorithm is the ...
2
votes
0answers
78 views
If holding a photograph is permitted can a company use facial recognition?
If I've given a company permission to hold an image of me - for a photo ID card, for example. Do they need any extra permissions to use facial recognition software?
The facial recognition software ...
2
votes
0answers
59 views
Open source encryption library pose export compliance
I am developing an app which will encrypt users files , photos etc. I use the open source library RNCryptor to do the operation . Does this make my app require export compliance ? . Does the export ...
0
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0answers
16 views
Can my app retain conversations between users on another website?
I'm planning to build an app that allows users to archive messages between users on an open and public section of a chatting website. The website has this in their terms and conditions however.
You ...
1
vote
1answer
28 views
Is it legal to save a copy of software in public cloud?
So I live in Taiwan and most time I'll be facing when I tell my student to download some software they'll need to wait for it to download.
So I'm wondering can I store a copy of the software (for ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Legality of web scraping for non-commercial use
I would like to scrape data from a website (which is based in USA, and I am not, if this matters) - let's say it's something like IMDb, or something like that. Unlike most other questions asked about ...
0
votes
0answers
54 views
Is it ok to create a Parody (fake) app?
Recently I had made an android app which imitates the WhatsApp messenger. My app has the provision wherein users can create fake conversation by setting both incoming and outgoing messages. Set the ...
0
votes
0answers
20 views
Where can I find the Copyright Registration form for Software, if any? (US)
So I've been building this game for the past couple of months, and I was thinking of releasing it to the public, but I didn't want to release it as open-source, so I thought of filing copyright for it....
0
votes
4answers
92 views
Is a software license still valid, if it claims copyright for previous years?
I had a FOSS project with a license which first mentioned "Copyright 2016". Then year 2017 came, and I replaced it with "Copyright 2017". After a while, I realized my mistake and replaced it with "...
0
votes
0answers
38 views
Is it legal? Chrome Extension to augment Facebook, LinkedIn or Trading Platforms?
Is it legal to release Chrome Extension augmenting site behaviour - like Facebook, LinkedIn or Trading Platforms?
For example:
For Facebook/LinkedIn it would hide spam and display some analytical ...
-1
votes
2answers
121 views
What legal remedies exist when a computer game crashes a computer?
If a company sells a video game that consistently crashes computers with a certain type of graphics card, does the law allow a consumer to force the game maker to patch the error or otherwise correct ...
1
vote
0answers
21 views
Software Vendor Renewal Messages Legality
We purchased the license to use a SharePoint migration software tool about 18 months ago. During the first year, the license period, it ran just fine. We did not choose to renew the software. It ...
2
votes
0answers
21 views
Legalities of using Trademarked Fictional Names for products
What is the legality of naming a product or service after a fictional name, object or character from a book or other creative material (movie, video game, etc)?
In each of these examples below, the ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
Can I include sample code in my own program without breaching copyright rules?
I made a program using NAudio (under Microsoft Public License) but including parts of the NAudio sample code. I want to distribute this program, probably as open source.
Is it legal if i distribute ...
1
vote
1answer
42 views
Restrictions on advertising new products to existing customers
Lets say a new software product is sold to us customers only. Are there any U.S. laws against or restricting advertisement of the company's new products to existing customers (for example, as a banner ...
3
votes
2answers
125 views
Is it illegal for the US government to compete with private industry?
I've heard several people say that it's illegal for the US government to compete with private industry. The specific context was about developing and providing software (desktop programs, mobile apps) ...
1
vote
1answer
33 views
Distribute Sysinternals free console program with my shareware application?
I am a shareware author (more on the hobbyist level) and I would like to distribute the free SysInternals program Sigcheck (a small console program) as a helper tool together with my program. Sigcheck ...
19
votes
4answers
6k views
Can I sue an app for enabling harassment?
Can I sue an app for emotional distress?
My soon-to-be ex-husband has been using a fake phone number app in order to impersonate:
my child's school
the coroner's office
the police officers who are ...
0
votes
0answers
16 views
Accepting User Credentials in iOS App to automatically enter form data on third party website: legal? Illegal? Nuanced?
I have an app that I want to accept as an input user credentials to a third party site and then automatically fill out and submit a form via a JSON request for them- a task that would normally have to ...
1
vote
2answers
76 views
Can anonymized data be collected under GDPR without consent?
I am having an Android App in which I want to track the usage of the app. But the usage will not have anyone identity for eg. I would collect one user used my app for around 10 minutes but who is that ...
2
votes
2answers
111 views
Can one create a computer program that enhances the usability of third party websites?
Can someone create such a program that enhances third party services?
A few examples would be:
- A program that embeds a website within itself and modifies its interface.
- A program that makes ...
0
votes
1answer
108 views
Opt Out Consent under GDPR
I am having an Android App which uses certain service such as Analytics, Ad Networks.
I am taking the consent from the user at when the app starts, i.e. before collecting any info.
But there are ...
1
vote
1answer
31 views
Modify firmware on purchased device to improve security
Scenario:
I purchase a device (Chinese IP camera) from an online retailer (Amazon) that has a number of security vulnerabilities.
The firmware file is publicly accessible from the OEM's website and ...
0
votes
1answer
57 views
Data Subject Rights under GDPR
I am having an Android App which uses Advertising networks and other Analytics services.
Now under the GDPR the data controller which is me in my case is required to provide some rights to the user ...
0
votes
2answers
80 views
Would there be anything wrong with writing a program to pull Google Flights data?
I live in Florida, U.S. and I would like to write a program (for personal use) which searches the Google Flights site for cheap flights. I am a beginner at programming so I have no idea if there are ...
8
votes
2answers
92 views
Can I sell computer source code that I reuse in other applications that I still sell?
I have several different versions of the same software (written in .Net/WPF) that interact with different brands of hardware. I decided to discontinue one of the platforms. The company that sells the ...
2
votes
1answer
61 views
Using Personal data before consent
I am having an Android App which is going to use some services such as Google Analytics, Firebase etc.
I have a thought of having two different consent screens for different region user such as EU ...
0
votes
1answer
21 views
Using Qt with LPGL license for a revenue generating, non-distributed private project
I am planning on porting my Python based TradingBot to C++ due to Python's GIL limitation. I have looked up a few c++ libraries like boost and Qt. I'm more inclined to use Qt because of its excellent ...
1
vote
1answer
48 views
Fair use of software in school
Maybe it is a strange question but as a curiosity, if there are pirated software installed on our school's computer, is it considered as fair use to take exam using them?
0
votes
3answers
72 views
We think a former employee stole our code and started his own company with it. What can we do? [closed]
What can we do?
With respect to this topic, I found this anecdote. But I don't work for Facebook, and we have nowhere near the clout or the user base they do. I'm not 100% sure why Facebook was ...
3
votes
1answer
303 views
User consent required under GDPR
I am having an Android app which uses certain Analytics services such as Google Analytics, Firebase etc. These services collect certain information from the user.
For this reason I have drafted a ...
27
votes
4answers
3k views
If mathematical equations are not patentable, why are algorithms patentable?
I'm new to the domain of understanding the law behind patenting, and I want to start a company that uses machine learning algorithms. Unfortunately, almost every concept is patented by the top ...
0
votes
2answers
90 views
Can I legally sell a software add-on package I have developed?
I live in the US, and have been developing an add-on suite (at work) for a large CAD software suite we use (developed by, I believe, a US based company). It is, or has elements that, I feel are pretty ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Software Developer told to copy a website for a client
I'm a Software Developer in Australia being hired to develop an e-commerce website from scratch that (quoting my employer) "Does the same thing as the other website". The website belongs to a business ...
4
votes
1answer
114 views
As a web and mobile (iOS and Android) developer, how do I discover if GDPR applies to a user?
This is a really basic question about GDPR.
If I have products that are intended only for US customers, but can be accessed by European Union residents, does GDPR apply?
More specific example:
A ...
1
vote
1answer
98 views
I made a software version of a semi-popular board game for free. Is that legal? [duplicate]
All the code is 100% my own - I made it for practice, and to showcase my abilities to potential employers. To facilitate this, I want to release the code open source on GitHub.
I credit the game's ...
