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.
580
questions
1
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1answer
56 views
Can my former employer come after me for developing software after I left them?
I worked with a company (Company A) in the US as a developer for two years that utilized third party API's. I recently left that company to work elsewhere (new company (Company B) is a completely ...
0
votes
0answers
27 views
Is it generally legal to develop and provide of API-compatible software services
Is there a legal issue when providing API-compatible services? By API-compatible services, I mean developing systems and providing solutions to customers that mimic other existing cloud computing ...
2
votes
0answers
16 views
Use of GPL licensed code in commercial software [migrated]
I have created an library (A) that uses several other GPL v2 or v3 licensed libraries (B,C,D) which, I am not the author of. I am only the author of A.
Can I license library A under a GPL or a dual ...
-3
votes
0answers
17 views
How to write a contract that guarantee someone's ownership of a part of a software developed by him and others? [closed]
I want to hire programers without direct money but by guarantee to them that the software will be in their ownership .. In the other hand guarantee the secret of the app idea and codes .. How to make ...
0
votes
0answers
29 views
Is it legal to distribute, in my .NET app, the interop contract (reference) from a third party COM DLL?
When you reference a COM DLL (xyz.dll) in Visual Studio, it creates a interop contract (file interop.xyz.dll) that is used to "communicate" with the DLL. It is usually embedded in your software. If ...
7
votes
2answers
3k views
Copyright in copyleft licence?
Is the copyright mentioned in GPL v3 used just for the sake of defining the word? (It's not copyrighted, but the word encompasses the same actions that would violate the copyright if it was ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Assuming Oracle wins Google v. Oracle America, then would Google have to pay fewer damages if they dropped support for the contested APIs?
As of this writing, the Google v. Oracle America case is yet to be heard by the Supreme Court. Assuming that Oracle wins the case, if Google was to drop support for the contested APIs on the Android ...
0
votes
3answers
58 views
Is it illegal to reverse engineer a software if the EULA prohibits it for all purposes?
I have installed an Android app that lets me play with networking and HTTP headers.
One of the perks of the app is to be able to export a configuration file so other users that also have the app can ...
0
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0answers
48 views
Can Someone Else's Patent Affect My Copyright?
In Canada, if I hold copyright on a program's code but not a patent on what it does, and someone else patents "what it does", how would this affect my copyright? Lets assume this person did not learn "...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
Is there a Legal Requirement for Computer Companies to Include an Operating System when Selling a PC?
I asked a company if they could sell me a PC without an installed Operating System, as I plan to install my own. Their response was that "We have to legally include a OS with all of our systems. So ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
What effect does a project's software license have on its cultural works?
0BSD and ISC are software licenses. They grant permissions for software. I guess these granted permissions legally only apply to what fits the legal definition of software. What if a project combines ...
-1
votes
2answers
101 views
Using Windows EXE file format in operating system
I know that adding Windows .exe file format can be very very hard. I want my OS to run .exe files and I'd like to know if I can use them freely in my OS without any risk or if I have to contact ...
1
vote
1answer
92 views
How to convince Google to fix a problem that caused few thousand $ damage?
Edited for less mystery. Sorry Google, I wanted to keep your name out of it.
I'm an independent software developer, a solo entrepreneur, publishing apps at Google Play. About a month ago, Google ...
0
votes
0answers
53 views
Copyright issue of the interface of Windows Notepad
I'm developing Windows application. It is crypto-functioning notepad.
And its design(UI interface) is almost(approx 90%?) same with Microsoft Windows Notepad.
Differences are only some buttons and ...
0
votes
3answers
73 views
Is it ok to use the same app name as other, unpopular apps?
I'm currently developing a webapp for language learning in the hopes of turning it into a profitable business. I've been mulling over a certain name for a while though I've looked through the google ...
0
votes
0answers
25 views
Storing personal data in the cloud and sharing it to particular users
I'm a programming student working on an app which will allow people to create and manage their "teams". An essential feature is allowing youths to create their accounts.
My biggest concern are the ...
0
votes
1answer
32 views
What does `remedy' mean when applied to `malfunction'?
In a legal document, referenced from the license, describing the support service of a commercial software product, the obligations of the latter are described thus:
When Licensee reports ...
0
votes
0answers
14 views
What are the legal implications of selling Apple/Android system GUI for Sketch, Figma and Adobe XD?
I was thinking of doing a commercial GUI for Sketch, Figma and Sketch but I kept wondering what would be the legality of this? Isn't copying for example the iPhone home screen and selling it as ...
-1
votes
0answers
53 views
Legality of youtube-dl
I have a concern similar to that expressed in another question0, but more clear-cut. I am the author of software similar to youtube-dl but for a subscription website. The basic flow is that users ...
0
votes
0answers
26 views
Must I include all my licenses on my app before I upload it to playstore?
I created an APP on flutter and I would like to upload it on play store. I only used the packages showed on flutter documentation (web page). It's open source I think....
So far, the app takes text ...
3
votes
1answer
57 views
Minecraft - must you accept EULA if you write your own server software?
Note: This question is just for my curiosity
So from what I know, it is 100% legal to write your own Minecraft server software that is interoperable with the Minecraft client. This can be done by ...
2
votes
1answer
85 views
Is it forbidden to sell a device that mimicks a third party's device USB descriptor?
This is a pretty USB specific question, I was redirected here from the technical stack exchange.
I am trying to figure out what the legislation is around the development by company A of a USB ...
0
votes
0answers
11 views
Licensing code which uses a few lines from another library
I have a header and source file which the majority is mine, however there is at least one function which uses a few lines of code from another library (Apache 2.0)
I will license said files with the ...
0
votes
0answers
10 views
Can I write code using libraries with these licences (apache, mit, boost) in this way?
I have a simple question. I am writing some code (c++) and that uses libraries licensed as Mit and Apache 2.0 (which I know are compatible). My question is can I use libraries that have a boost 1.0 ...
2
votes
2answers
122 views
Do I need to number sections in an Agreement?
I'm creating an agreement using an online contract management and signing service. To create the agreement I create separate sections in a library. Then I build the full agreement by adding the ...
1
vote
1answer
125 views
Covid tracking app, forcing citizen to install it on insecure devices
Here's the hypothetical scenario, which in some countries might not be hypothetical after all:
The app. Because of Covid-19, the government decides that some citizens must install an app on their ...
-1
votes
1answer
24 views
Can I get benefits of others' contributions to my GPL licensed software to use these contributions in my proprietary software?
I have my own code of a software, purely coded by me. I am intending to open source it, GPLv3 or Apache 2.0. Then I will add them to Github to let others get benefits of source code and contribute ...
8
votes
2answers
290 views
Can universities require computer science students to develop software for free?
At my university (it is a public Florida university), one of the core computer science courses required for the degree involves a group project, and the class is divided up into a dozen or so teams, ...
11
votes
1answer
1k views
Third party client made in Unreal Engine
Suppose that I made an MMORPG which has interesting gameplay, but rather bad graphics.
One day, a fan of the game writes a client in Unreal Engine that lets them play the game with HD graphics (but ...
0
votes
2answers
53 views
Should I register a copyright for my android app?
I am about to release an app to the store and I have a feeling that before I publish it I have to do some legal stuff.
For the lack of my knowledge in this field, I want to ask you:
1) Should I ...
0
votes
2answers
64 views
If I share work (created in my own time) with my employer, do they own it?
Last weekend I started to put together a visual guide about a software development process.
It's something I have developed over 10 years based on my experience, and I believe it would do very well ...
0
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0answers
34 views
Writing a mobile app, to sell, for a physical bluetooth device I did not invent?
I am writing a mobile app for a bluetooth device which I did not create / invent. To do this, I received specs from someone else on how the device communicates over Bluetooth; it's a non-standard, not ...
-1
votes
1answer
79 views
Black-box reverse engineering file format used by discontinued software without a license
Briefly: I am wondering whether information gleaned about a proprietary binary format by perturbing the data using an unlicensed copy of the original software (no longer distributed by the copyright ...
1
vote
1answer
37 views
To what extent does copyright protect software functionality?
Suppose I see an innovative piece of (commercial) software that delivers considerable, non-trivial functionality.
Can I re-implement it? Suppose I study it carefully, work out what it does and how ...
1
vote
0answers
40 views
Are products made from illegal software also illegal?
Say a piece of software was aquired, and used, completely illegally, like a license key was hacked online or something, and many other products (say, for example, videos) were made with this illegal ...
0
votes
2answers
66 views
Is it illegal to use an unsupported version of software, without a license key?
there is this particular computer program, that I [possibly, for legal purposes can't say for sure] may have downloaded, well, "illegally", a.k.a., they require a license key to get the full version, ...
0
votes
1answer
18 views
Can RescueTime sell derived data?
Me and my friend were discussing privacy concerns regarding the use of a activity tracking application - Rescuetime.
It's privacy policy says,
We will never sell, rent, or otherwise share your ...
1
vote
2answers
47 views
Is it legal to purchase Kaplan IT Training bundle by more than one people? If it is legal, how many people can use it at the same time?
We're planning to purchase this bundle from Kaplan IT Training by people more than one.
However, firstly, we want to know this kind of purchase is legal or not.
And if it is legal, how many people ...
0
votes
1answer
62 views
Is it legal to use “VMware Workstation 15 Player” with earning money purpose?
I am planning to open a blog webpage, publish technology-based content on it and make money via blogger earning methods like Google AdSense. The software I mentioned in the title, which is available ...
0
votes
2answers
42 views
How to anonymize network data packets for commercial use?
I am working on a project where I have to identify anomalies in network traffic of business networks with machine learning. The algorithm is feeded with captured network packets from inside of the ...
0
votes
1answer
86 views
Is opening a blog, publishing technological/educational content on it and earning money via blogger earning methods like AdSense legal?
I am planning to open a blog website and publish technology-based educational content as articles in Turkish language on it. Topics I'll cover are Microsoft and Linux system administration, cyber ...
6
votes
4answers
4k views
How is the cost of a software service determined?
I just went through a Compliance eLearning which had a section covering anti-trust laws.
My understanding of predatory pricing from that is inline with this description I found on wikipedia
During ...
1
vote
0answers
32 views
Trademark: software company with computer hardware shop
I thought of a business name, and bought the domain name for it (both .com and .net), and I plan to use it to for a software business online.
I then noticed a computer shop in the Philippines with the ...
1
vote
0answers
87 views
Is it legal to reverse-engineer free US government software?
The US government provides a number of closed-source software packages to the public for free. Some packages are explicitly listed as "public domain"; other packages list a specific agency as the ...
0
votes
0answers
41 views
Is WhatsApp GDPR compliant as it allows backups for group chat?
Currently WhatsApp claims it uses end to end encryption.
However the app provisions users to switch on backups to Google Drive and other providers. So if I am in a group chat with a set of users and ...
0
votes
1answer
615 views
Microsoft C++ Build Tools (2019) not allowed for use with Visual Studio Code?
Technically, it seems to be possible to use Visual Studio Code as IDE for C++ development in combination with the Microsoft C++ Build Tools (2019), see https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/cpp/config-...
0
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0answers
45 views
Is it legal for me to prototype simulated gambling software in England?
I am a programmer in England, and am potentially interested in one day working to open a licensed online casino.
I have several ideas about products I would like to work on, but am a bit confused as ...
36
votes
3answers
30k views
Is it legal to crack MD5 hashes?
I saw a website that involves programming problems. One problem asks to write a program that finds a string whose MD5 hash is given.
Is it criminal to crack the MD5 hash by finding those strings?
0
votes
1answer
88 views
Is it legal to display user airline seat info on a public platform with absolute user consent
Planning a public platform to display user seating info after taking proper user consent , will that still attract legalities if user is ok with it , will it fall under any legal clauses under GDPR ...
2
votes
1answer
151 views
How “infectious” is Unreal Engine 4 license? What is the scope of “product” definition?
According to Epic's EULA for Publishers, they want 5% of any gross revenue you might make out of using software built with their engine, including in-app purchases and advertising, before tax ...
