Using code on the net in your own app, then Copyright your own app 1

[rmoyes02]

Just wondering how far you can go by using code found on the net...

For example, I found the following code on the net to map a drive...

Sub MapDrive(strDrive,strShare)
On Error Resume Next
WSHNetwork.MapNetworkDrive strDrive, strShare

If Err.Number Then
WSHNetwork.RemoveNetworkDrive strDrive
WSHNetwork.MapNetworkDrive strDrive, strShare
End If
End Sub

Now, I know that I can't copy & paste this code, but if I were to remember this code, and use it in my app (code being slightly different), is that copyright infringment?

If so, then it seems to me that everything that i remember from text books will be infringing on copyright...

 

[Dimandja]

I don't beleive that using a snippet of code like the one here in an application you created is wrong.

But using the same snippet of code in an academic publication, would be a copyright violation.

I think the distinction is in the context the code is used.

Also, copying an entire application from Internet for any reason but your own reference, would be a copyright violation.

 

[mrdenny]

If code that you have found, can be found posted by multiple sources, and is the best practice, that may end up changing things.

I would check with a copywrite lawyer on this. They will be able to give you the best answer.

Denny

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

 

[thendrickson]

I am not a lawyer but did have a couple of business law courses some years ago and have done some reading up on this subject.

After saying that, this is what I believe to be correct.

You can copywrite a complete app but not copywrite portions
such as a sub, funcion or class.

Thus if code is posted on the net and you use bits and pieces of the code in an app that is otherwise your own, you should be fine legally. The premise seems to be that similar needs would generate similar results

The problem would occur if your app is substantially similar to the entire app you used as an example and if a "reasonable person" could be mislead.

IE

When in college I modified a "Crap Game" application as an assignment. My modifications consisted of rigging the odds that my login would win 55% of the time. (My sense of humor is a bit warped).

The origional application was in a text book and the modification was a student exercise. No violation.

Now assume that I attempted to use that app with my modifications (ignoring the dubious odds) as a major part of a "Gaming application" consisting of a poker game, a crap game and a roulette wheel.

Even though, my app would be substantially different than the book (addition of 2 additional games and modified odds), I would almost certainly be in violation

Legally, I see no problem including any code found posted in a public place (unless requested not to use it) in an app which is otherwise your own and where the code is "incidental" to the app.

Ethically

you might wish to confirm the authors wishes.
I would not post code publically if I objected to some one using it in there app, but would certainly scream loud and hard if I could recognize the app as being one I developed.

I would not think any one posting snippets of code publically would object to your using that code, but that is just my opinion.

I will warn you as a practical point to be certain that you fully understand any code you use. The posters generally mean their posts to be a guide and an educational tool, not to be cut and pasted into your app and it is not likely that code found on the net will work for your exact app without modification

 

[mattaw]

If I can add to that,

It totally depends under what conditions it was posted to the internet. If the code is shown in a forum / website giving examples of how to do things then there is a reasonable expectation that you would use it.

If its posted with a specific copyright notice and terms of use you must comply with them.

Note however if its a trade secret the company must follow 'reasonable' proceedures to ensure that it remains secret, and posting to the internet is not one of them.

To complicate matters as has been mentioned industry standard methods and the simplest solution is usually not copyright as its 'generic' (doesn't mean someone hasn't slapped a copyright notice on it though).

Its a bit of a minefield. But from the sound of it your source is fine, so you are ok.

As always though, I am not a lawyer.

Matthew

The Universe: God's novelty screensaver?

 

[thendrickson]

One more point.

Under US law you may copywrite a complete app but not a portion of an an app.

In some ways it is a grey area.

Too use an example a paragraph in a book that reads "It was a dark and stormy night." cannot be copy writed but the entire book would be. The grey area becomes where the "cut off point" is between incidental similarities and substantial similarities which is why lawyers get rich.

I think the best guide is to use your moral sense. If you feel like you are "stealing" code you probably are.

This may not apply to everybody, but I would guess that any body posting questions like this in this forum would have some moral base to draw from or you would not be questioning.

 

[gbaughma]

Well, if you think about it (here I go again), every program is a re-use of the registers in the CPU.

C = SQR(A^2 + B^2)

Good god, if they copywrote that, you wouldn't be able to draw a triangle, would you? (Oh, feel free to use that snippet... hehe)

Of course, SCO attempted to sue because "parts of" their UNIX operating system were in Linux.

I maintain there are only so many ways to do things. Yes, that may be 100 different ways, but there is a finite number of ways.

How many ways are there to add two numbers?

a = 2
b = 3
c = a + b

c = 2 + 3

a = 2
b = 3
c = 0
c = c + a
c = c + b

... Ok, I know that's getting silly now, but hopefully I'm making my point.

I think that what gets copyrighted is FUNCTION, more than SPECIFICS.

I'm sure that SOMEWHERE in my Winamp MP3 player is a routine to add two numbers together. But that's not the function of the software; that's a step in the ladder towards the results.



Just my $0.02

"In order to start solving a problem, one must first identify its owner." --Me
--Greg