Is it wrong to use Open Source code?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by TVCokeCan, Apr 2, 2007.

  1. #1
    Hey, I would love to get your input on this, I am moving to make everything I do more professional and in such I need to really get every single detail sorted, anyhow I am a coder and I was wondering is it wrong to use open source code in projects you are getting paid for, eg a Ajax framework? I plan to donate to every project I use code from, but in the eyes of the buyer would this be acceptable?
     
    TVCokeCan, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  2. CaptainB

    CaptainB Peon

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    #2
    If you're using code licensed under the GPL you're supposed to license your final product under the GPL as well.
     
    CaptainB, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  3. TVCokeCan

    TVCokeCan Peon

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    #3
    No I mean real PD code. I understand the license aspects, I'm talking morally.
     
    TVCokeCan, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  4. CaptainB

    CaptainB Peon

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    #4
    Using something like the Ajax framework to create a commercial product isn't wrong, lifting code from the Ajax framework to create your own product would be wrong.

    hmm... I'd actually never thought about the former before. I'm taking Digital Ethics this term and I think I'm going to use it as the basis for my first paper.
     
    CaptainB, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  5. KalvinB

    KalvinB Peon

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    #5
    No it's not morally wrong because if the author didn't want you to use their code in such a way they would have licensed it accordingly.
     
    KalvinB, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  6. triadink

    triadink Well-Known Member

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    #6
    if your customer is expecting custom work yes i think its wrong.
     
    triadink, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  7. Perrow

    Perrow Well-Known Member

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    #7
    I guess that they are in essence paying for your work/coding rather than the actual code. As long as you don't claim ownership of the code, you can do pretty much anything with open source/GPL code and charge for the work. They're paying you to code, they get code delivered, how they use the code is where moral (licencing) gets involved.
     
    Perrow, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  8. jo_cstd

    jo_cstd Peon

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    #8
    If it's out in the net, then i guess it's not a problem - unless the coder specifically said not to use his code for profit.
     
    jo_cstd, Apr 2, 2007 IP
  9. KalvinB

    KalvinB Peon

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    #9
    I don't get paid to code. I get paid to develop a product. Nobody cares how the product works. They pay me to just make it work they way they want to.

    If code is out there that kinda does what you want and you save a lot of time by modifying existing code rather than starting from scratch, you make everyone happy.
     
    KalvinB, Apr 3, 2007 IP
  10. Coolalex

    Coolalex Banned

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    #10
    I dont think it is, thats why they made open source.
     
    Coolalex, Apr 3, 2007 IP