Ok, I have coped few codes from one site and got a mail from the admin saying that thsi is copyright violation. Now I feels that a sorting algoirithm can have only one kind of solution so how can some other person stop me in posting that code on my site. It's like you are saying that Hey, We own those line of codes and NO one can use those lines as it will be violation of copyright. Can someone guide me on this and what should I do ? By the way I am outside US/EU and let's just say that there are no laws like DMCA in my nation
If it's just a few lines (from your explanation I gather it is) you should just forget about it since it would be too generic, which you correctly assumed already. From how I understand your explanation your case would be equivalent to an image with only one line on it. There is no real thought process behind either, meaning neither will have any legal protection. Of course it would depend on the actual code and what kind of function it serves.
I wouldnt worry about it too much, my question is how did this guy find your code to start off with? Unless there is something within the code that is calling back home? If so then there might be an issue. With coding there are multiple way to perform exactly the same function, there is lots of way to take the same code and make it totally unique so that there are no infractions.
Most codes/scripts come with explicit copyright information, usually under the GPL license that allows you to use such code in derivative works, or modifying the original script as long as you preserve original credits inside the coding. Licenses vary in terms so the best source for this information in inside the code or the license/readme file.
I had used there site's name on my site and they must have got Google alert. Anyway I have no problem in taking there material but the thing is why should I when it's a programming code ? If I write that thing from myself than still the code will come same(with different variables probably and different function names). So I guess the way to get it around is to change the variable names and function names.Hmmm...
Did you read the part where we said it's too generic? Changing the names wouldn't do anything if there really was a copyright violation.
Aham, ya its very generic. Anyway I don't want to get involved into complexities of where to draw the line and where is the line. The code is related to linked list and trees(data strucutres) and net is full of similar code so probably I will take some freely availabe code.
You need to be careful about this, there have been cases where a few dozen lines out of tens of thousands of code were re-used in another project and the lawsuits ranged into the tens of millions of dollars. Of course those were deep pocked companies suing each other but the principle remains the same.
Yes,Now I have decided to completely remove that content. I can write my own codes(I have better alogs in my mind as well). It's gonna take time...lot's of time but will help me in long term I guess. Cheers
I'd say you're being e-bullied, if the code was copyrighted, its far more likely you'd get emails from legal representitives, quoting patent numbers and such, rather than the author of the code sending an email with a few lines of moan in .....
Atually I am 100% sure that the other site owner can not do anything. His site DO not exist now(it's down for almost 1 year) but lot's of ppl have the codes which he had put on the site(it was popular in prime time). He is telling me that he is OK for personal use but Donot use it on commercial purpose. Now I am from India as well as he is and I don't think India has anything remotely close to DMCA act and I don't think any of us can also afford(or would like to go for) lawyer or legal battle. But I feels I can edit the content as will only take few days. Otherise he will keep bugging me
If you technically consider code as words, then yes it is copyright. Just modify the variable names and you should be fine.
I wasn't sure if this item is on topic but in searching around I could'nt find a better place to post it. It does involve copying code... the entire page of our homepages code. I don't know that there's anything I can do or anyone else could do in a similar situation but if this has happened to anyone I would appreciate the feedback. Our homepage is: http://1800sunstar.com/ Today while browsing through my tracker logs I noticed traffic going to: http://1800sunstar.com.look-for.us That's our url in front of a domain name that appears to be: look-for.us It's an exact copy of our homepage but with they're advertising banners posted at the very top of the page. Granted the links of the copied page still go to our site files but the glarring banner ad at the top of the page distracting folks from visiting the rest of the page is kinda disappointing. I'm not sure that this kind of a thing could effect my SE or PR standings but I don't really appreciate the arrangement. WHOIS look-up shows owner is in Colorado USA but didn't seem like much more info was available. If this has happened to anyone or if someone can share some advise as to a follow-up I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you kindly...
Thanks for responding poseidon;2319861, and I contact them by hopefully finding an email addy on Whois stats..? and would I give them a nice request to delete the listing or get legal with them..?
I have personally never sent such mails but what he is doing is total scrapping(not a part but full site) so just tell him firmly. He is in USA so he will surely have to consider your request seriously. Also tell him that you will talk to his host and take other action. Kinda ironic that I AM suggesting you to take action when I am myself "copying" from others site I guess I better remove the content now as don't want to label myself as hypocrite
Thanks for you're rsvp Poseidon... I think most webmasters snip and clip excerpts of content from the net but if I do so I either modify it to try and make it original or I give a source link. Good luck to you my friend, Michael..