Yes, its legal advise!

[RobertP]

I need to know if this will keep my code legally safe.

 

<?php
/**
* @software ??????????
* @author Robert Pettet
* @license "Only I (Robert Pettet), has permission to access, and or hold this software in their possession."
*/

[AyKay47]

someone could easily remove that comment and tweak the code, this kind of stuff is tricky to get into.

[Jessica]

The grammar in that sentence makes me hurt.

[scootstah]

someone could easily remove that comment and tweak the code, this kind of stuff is tricky to get into.

 

Someone could easily remove any license/copyright and tweak the code. That doesn't make it any more legal to do so.

 

If someone blatantly stole your code and you wanted to take action against them, usually all you have to do is prove that you in fact created the works.

 

The problem is that someone can take your code, modify it a little and then legally call it their own, since it is different. Unfortunately you can't patent code.

 

Like AyKay said it's tricky stuff... if you want concrete advice get in touch with a lawyer.

[AyKay47]

Someone could easily remove any license/copyright and tweak the code. That doesn't make it any more legal to do so.

 

Valid point, I never said it was right or legal.

But as you said, you can't patent code and it's easy to modify someone else's code and call it your own without any repercussions. *sigh*

[RobertP]

Thank you very much for your responses.

[Philip]

you can't patent code

You can most definitely patent software. However, it isn't terribly common and at least in the US is a load of BS... but that's a different story.

[AyKay47]

US is a load of BS... but that's a different story.

 

heh.. well i'm referring to the U.S when I make that statement.

Not sure what hoops you have to go through in other places.

[scootstah]

you can't patent code

You can most definitely patent software. However, it isn't terribly common and at least in the US is a load of BS... but that's a different story.

 

From what I understand of it (which isn't a whole lot) you can only patent the process or function of the software, but you can't actually patent the code it runs on.

[Philip]

Mmm, yeah, I guess that would technically be correct. The patent/copyright system is just beyond screwed over, none of it makes a lot of sense anymore

[joe92]

You can most definitely patent software.

 

You can't in the UK

[.josh]

The patent process, and really any U.S. legal process/system/etc.. is actually pretty simple: whoever has the most money to throw at it wins. You can even get away with murder (literally!) if you have enough money to throw at it.  Someone takes your code? Take them to court.  Because it will cost him money to defend himself.  If he wins, sure, you'll have to pay.  But...you can appeal, in which case he has to pay to defend himself all over again and get it back from you if he wins all over again.  If you lose, appeal.  If you lose again, appeal again.  Wash, rinse and repeat until whoever has the most money wins. 

 

The only reason you see people "losing" or "settling" is because a) they ran out of funds to keep it going, or b) they decide they will lose too much money in the long run (eg: Big Chemical Co. may be blatantly torturing and killing animals while "testing" Brand X but they will certainly get away with it legally if they throw enough money at it...but if enough people decide they won't buy their products, then they are fistcally fucked, so they back down or compromise - which is not really the same thing). 

 

Yes it really is that simple, sad and true.  In a capitalist system, money is god.