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Licensing... Can I forbid anyone to copy, modify, etc. a compiled AutoIt script?


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Can I forbid anyone to copy, modify, etc. a compiled AutoIt script? Does me licensing my compiled script break any rules or licenses that AutoIt itself has?

I have searched and read some other licensing topics on here but, want to be certain I am not doing something against the rules before I actually release my software to the public.

Thanks!

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Modifying, etc. a compiled script is already forbidden by AutoIt license.

Licensing your executable? No problem as long as it is your product.

The issue is the deterent to keep people away from messing with it, but you certainly kow that.

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SOFTWARE PRODUCT LICENSE

The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE PRODUCT is licensed, not sold.

The definition of SOFTWARE PRODUCT does not includes any files generated by the SOFTWARE PRODUCT, such as compiled script files in the form of standalone executables.

1. GRANT OF LICENSE

This EULA grants you the following rights:

Installation and Use. You may install and use an unlimited number of copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

Reproduction and Distribution. You may reproduce and distribute an unlimited number of copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT either in whole or in part; each copy should include all copyright and trademark notices, and shall be accompanied by a copy of this EULA. Copies of the SOFTWARE PRODUCT may be distributed as a standalone product or included with your own product.

Commercial Use. You may use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT for commercial purposes. You may sell for profit and freely distribute scripts and/or compiled scripts that were created with the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

Reverse engineering. You may not reverse engineer or disassemble the SOFTWARE PRODUCT or compiled scripts that were created with the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

You can copyright your code and forbid anything as long as you are aware that doing so will not stop anyone from doing what they want to do.

Does it give you a legal leg to stand on? Probably not since copyright law varies widely from country to country. You might have limited recourse if the person violating the copyright is in the same country as you and I'm not sure but I think the server holding the download also has to be in the same country or it would fall under the laws of the country where the server is located.

If you think you can protect your code by any manner then by all means; have at it.

George

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Thank you for your replies.

I do know that anyone can just ignore the restrictions I place on my software. But, legally, if I catch/hear of someone breaking the copyright/restrictions I place on my software, I want to be able to have some kind of legal action I can take against them. The main motive here is to not let other companies get my code while at the same time not break any restrictions coming from AutoIt itself.

As for anyone outside the U.S., I am not really concerned with them as my program is probably only going to be used locally.

So to recap: yes I can put my own restrictions on the software I have wrote and register for copyright but, anyone can ignore all this and take it anyway. Nice.

Thanks again!

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Even if you find them , then you would still probably have to prove somehow that they did reverse engineer it.

Which isn't gonna be simple, and if they are just using a cracked version, im not sure how the penalty's would work.

Do your best with your code obfuscate it and make it as tricky as you can, but that's about all you can do.

Obviously have the proper disclaimers and logos all through it if necessary.

Good luck

Chimaera

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So to recap: yes I can put my own restrictions on the software I have wrote and register for copyright but, anyone can ignore all this and take it anyway. Nice.

In a nutshell. Yes.

The only thing that stops people from murdering someone is the fear of being caught and going to jail. Some people just don't care though.

Lofting the cyberwinds on teknoleather wings, I am...The Blue Drache

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Thank you Chimaera.

I have tried the Obfuscator found at http://www.autoitscript.com/site/autoit-script-editor/downloads/ but, cannot get it to work. I think that should be in another thread though. It tells me a duplicate function name exists.

@Blue_Drache: LOL... One day, if enough people drive me to that point, I might be one of the ones that just don't care. :huh2:

Edited by netman74501
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So to recap: yes I can put my own restrictions on the software I have wrote and register for copyright but, anyone can ignore all this and take it anyway. Nice.

Put it this way, be unreasonable then expect to be treated as unreasonable. This is how people react.
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  • 3 months later...

Reverse engineering. You may not reverse engineer or disassemble the SOFTWARE PRODUCT or compiled scripts that were created with the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

Of course, even that may not have much clout if you don't advertise the fact that your script was compiled with AutoIt (may don't.) If you don't explicitly tell users they're running an AutoIt-powered app, they can (and will) plead ignorance.

.

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  • 4 weeks later...
  • Moderators

Rockerman,

From the EULA:

"This EULA grants you the following rights:

[...]

Commercial Use. You may use the SOFTWARE PRODUCT for commercial purposes. You may sell for profit and freely distribute scripts and/or compiled scripts that were created with the SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

[...]"

So pleasse go ahead and make your fortune. Although I feel the donation of a suitable percentage of any profit might be helpful to Jon to keep the server going. :D

M23

Public_Domain.png.2d871819fcb9957cf44f4514551a2935.png Any of my own code posted anywhere on the forum is available for use by others without any restriction of any kind

Open spoiler to see my UDFs:

Spoiler

ArrayMultiColSort ---- Sort arrays on multiple columns
ChooseFileFolder ---- Single and multiple selections from specified path treeview listing
Date_Time_Convert -- Easily convert date/time formats, including the language used
ExtMsgBox --------- A highly customisable replacement for MsgBox
GUIExtender -------- Extend and retract multiple sections within a GUI
GUIFrame ---------- Subdivide GUIs into many adjustable frames
GUIListViewEx ------- Insert, delete, move, drag, sort, edit and colour ListView items
GUITreeViewEx ------ Check/clear parent and child checkboxes in a TreeView
Marquee ----------- Scrolling tickertape GUIs
NoFocusLines ------- Remove the dotted focus lines from buttons, sliders, radios and checkboxes
Notify ------------- Small notifications on the edge of the display
Scrollbars ----------Automatically sized scrollbars with a single command
StringSize ---------- Automatically size controls to fit text
Toast -------------- Small GUIs which pop out of the notification area

 

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I have tried the Obfuscator found at http://www.autoitscript.com/site/autoit-script-editor/downloads/ but, cannot get it to work. I think that should be in another thread though. It tells me a duplicate function name exists.

Try these options, it's for partial obfuscation to be safe for your code

(don't obfuscate strings and numbers, only variables and functions):

#AutoIt3Wrapper_run_obfuscator=y

#Obfuscator_parameters=/SF /SV /CV=1 /CF=1 /CS=0 /CN=0 /OM

Edited by Zedna
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I would suggest not to count on any legal actions and copyrights until your sofware is quite popular and you are making a lot of money.

Until then keep in mind that reverse engineering even obfuscated scripts is relatively easy. Best way i found is called Citrix metaframe server.

Users are using internet to connect on the server and use the software. They cant copy,modify or do anything that you dont want them to do.

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