How much is source code worth?

[ettienne]

I have a project that I did way back in 1998 in VB3 that a client has been running ever since. The client contacted me today and needs the program updated to work with a newer database, no changes to the actual logic are required.
I'm not really in the mood to rewrite this app in VB6 and go through all the debugging pains.
The question has been asked if I would make the source code available, and for how much. How do I place a value on source code? I am certainly not giving it away for free.

 

[johnwm]

If this is viewed as a business question you may get better results in forum1248. Look back at your original contract to see what provision was made for technology transfer - source code availability, code escrow, ongoing support contracts, licence conditions, sale agreement etc.

If it's a straight technical question then I wouldn't try to overplay my hand in negotiation since VB3 executables are quite easy to turn back to source code.

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[ettienne]

Thanks, I will try the other forum.

From a tech point of view, the fact that they approached me means that the company and their developers could not crack the VB3 exe, or they do not know that it can be done. Actually it is not so easy to crack VB3.

 

[strongm]

>Actually it is not so easy to crack VB3

Well, it was. The main difficulty these days would be getting hold of the now ancient tool that used to do it ...

 

[HarleyQuinn]

HarleyQuinn
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[trollacious]

I had no problem finding and downloading 3 different tools (some different versions of the same tool).

Lee

 

[BobRodes]

It's kind of like the question of placing a value on real estate. What factors influence supply and demand? If you can identify these factors, you'll be able to better place a value on it.

Bob

 

[strongm]

>downloading 3 different tools

And you can confirm that these tools work with VB3, which was vanished 11/12 years ago ...

 

[dilettante]

VB3? Vanished? I have my floppies right here someplace.

Hmm, do I have a working machine with a floppy drive though? Gosh, time to burn some CDs before the bits fade away on those things. ;-)


I'd think the price of the source code should be at least your time to track down the correct version of it and recompile and verify it. The real question is how viable the program is in the current market as is, and with a VB6 or other language rewrite by somebody else. Etc.

Obviously a better question for the other forum though.

 

[dilettante]

Oops, looked in over there. I hadn't realized you'd done this as an employee of some software house.

You might still recapture your time to prepare and deliver the source. I doubt you can claim much more though legally. Sorry.

The real value might be in doing work on it for this old customer if you wanted to and they were interested. Since you don't though...

 

[harebrain]

...the company and their developers could not crack the VB3 exe, or they do not know that it can be done.

They do now.