Is cloning scripts legal?

I have seen many clone scripts such as utube clone etc... and I wonder they are legal or can someone just say these are similar scripts.

Do you have any idea?

 

Similar scripts aren't illegal (they preform similar functions right? But aren't 100% the same in coding). But if you steal a script.. then that would be considered as illegal.

I'm not sure if someone gets a "patent" placed on a script, then it may be considered as illegal..

 

What will happen if they modify the same script so that it is not exactly the same as original script?

I saw some clone scripts and a bit interested in them and would like to be clear about that. For example, "domain trader" (priced about $299) script was modified by someone and selling on ebay very cheap. The same function but look different.

 

Well i wouldnt call it illegal coz if thats the case many sites would have been down but maybe making n selling them is illegal though not sure

 

my guess would be like said above.

if its does similar things, but uses its own source code (ie it has been re-coded from the ground up) then i doubt it is illegal.

 

Yeah exactly.

Just think, there are lots of knock-off logos out there that have subtle changes and they're perfectly legal. Same goes with duplicate designs, they look similar but the coding and design were made from scratch.

 

Cloning is illegal, develop your own code sticking to original coding may be legit.

Read any license that comes with each script, most of them are fully or partially released under the GNU General Public License (GPL) or check the "readme" file.

Many developers encourage you to modify the code as long as you credit it is derived from their original.

 

I hope its not illegal because I have been cloning a various amount of sites

 

If by cloning, you mean building a site from scratch by copying another site on how it functions and how it looks, then it legal, but if you mean cloning as in copying the source code, then thats illegal.

Zeh.Trader, I think in your case, you should be fine.

 

I agree with you!

 

If you're cloning by copying the entire thing and modifying a bit, I'd suggest you to credit the original author as to respect his/her work. Sometimes, it's not only about legalisation, partly integrity too...if you want to be respected by others.

 

i think it is legal, you know why?
For example I never seen Youtube.
But i have created Youtube site. And they are same. You think this is illegal?