Legal Opinion : Provided that script itself is written from the ground, ideas can be copied (unless it is under protection of a patent). Lotus123 is the inventor of "spreedsheet" software but Microsoft is also using the same spreedsheet concept in "Excel".
But if the software is imitating the other too much, this may go beyond copying an "idea", it can be copying the software itself even if its written from the ground. IMO using verbatim texts, same file names, same visual style is more than just using the "hack idea".
Bottomline I think eoc_Jason has his point since SaN-DeeP's hack is imitating his hack too harshly. It is ok to use the same idea, but why use the same wording, file names, visual design anyway?
BTW. I'm not judging anybody here, nor giving a decree but I'm just stating my opinion since San-Deep asked me to do so. We are not in the position of solving the issue anyway because the hack has not been released here, just screenshots are provided.
Personal opinion : I usually do not release a similiar hack myself when someone else has already used the same idea. This is not a law, nor against vb.org rules but this is just a personal preferrence as I find it rude to the other hack author if I release an hack whose idea is verbatim to his hack. Again: This is just a personal opinion!
07-26-2004, 04:58 AM
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