editing programs

Dr Studly · 04-06-2006, 12:59 AM

is it technically legal to edit files in programs?? not remove/add files... but like actually edit the files in the programs to do something else? copyrighted programs...

suprasteve · 04-06-2006, 02:02 AM

copyrighted I don't believe so. Open source I think is fine, I don't program much so this isn't really my area

**SFR** · 04-06-2006, 02:16 AM

If a product is protected by a patent (or copyrighted) then it is unlawful to reverse engineer or make changes to an application if the SLA forbids you to do so.

If it is open source or the SLA does not forbid you from making changes to the application then you can go ahead and make the changes but if you break something, usually any warranty becomes void.

OvenMaster · 04-06-2006, 05:09 PM

Nine times out of ten the copyrighted program's license agreement spells out that you can't make any changes without violating the law. You don't own the program, you only get permission to use it. Changing the program is illegal.
Not enough people read these EULAs.
Tom

Dr Studly · 04-06-2006, 05:50 PM

what about changing it for your own personal use in your own home? and then what are all these 3rd party plugins for programs, or even 3rd party plugins for windows??? that edit "explorer.exe" is that legal?

mrjack · 04-06-2006, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OvenMaster

...
Not enough people read these EULAs.
Tom

An EULA for a Microsoft product included the message that you have to defend Microsoft if they ever get sued, that is if you accept the terms of the EULA.

suprasteve · 04-07-2006, 01:23 AM

I also thought that there's something in there that says you agree not to publish benchmarks of the Windows software too

04-06-2006, 12:59 AM	#1 (permalink)
Dr Studly banned Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hales Corners Wisconson Age: 17 Posts: 2,435	editing programs is it technically legal to edit files in programs?? not remove/add files... but like actually edit the files in the programs to do something else? copyrighted programs...

04-06-2006, 02:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
SFR SUPER MODERATOR Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: San Diego, USA Age: 24 Posts: 4,066	If a product is protected by a patent (or copyrighted) then it is unlawful to reverse engineer or make changes to an application if the SLA forbids you to do so. If it is open source or the SLA does not forbid you from making changes to the application then you can go ahead and make the changes but if you break something, usually any warranty becomes void. __________________ The real danger is not that computers will begin to think like men, but that men will begin to think like computers. ~Sydney J. Harris I haven't lost my mind; I have a tape back-up somewhere. What the world needs is more geniuses with humility, there are so few of us left. ~Oscar Levant Relax, its only Ones and Zeros

04-06-2006, 05:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
OvenMaster VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Red Sox Nation Age: 49 Posts: 2,033	Nine times out of ten the copyrighted program's license agreement spells out that you can't make any changes without violating the law. You don't own the program, you only get permission to use it. Changing the program is illegal. Not enough people read these EULAs. Tom __________________ Frankenbox III: CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ * MOBO: Biostar K8M800 Micro AM2 * RAM: 2x1GB Kingston DDR2 667 HDD: WD 80GB Master, Seagate 320GB Slave * OPT: two Pioneer DVR-115DBK DVD burners PSU: Antec Basiq 500W * GPU: PNY GeForce FX5200 256MB AGP 8x * MON: ViewSonic LCD VA721 CASE: EvTek minitower * SND: Diamond Xtreme 5.1 * OS: XP Home SP2 * ROUTER: Linksys BEFSR41

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04-06-2006, 02:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
suprasteve Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,355	copyrighted I don't believe so. Open source I think is fine, I don't program much so this isn't really my area

04-06-2006, 05:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dr Studly banned Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hales Corners Wisconson Age: 17 Posts: 2,435	what about changing it for your own personal use in your own home? and then what are all these 3rd party plugins for programs, or even 3rd party plugins for windows??? that edit "explorer.exe" is that legal?

04-07-2006, 01:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
suprasteve Diamond Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,355	I also thought that there's something in there that says you agree not to publish benchmarks of the Windows software too