Copyright Query

micmac

Hi all,
Have a general query in regards to copyright.
Let's say, for arguments sake, i want to develop and sell a program that functions the same as another commercial program on the market, am i allowed to recreate it (not the design but the functioning etc.) and sell it? Obviously i don't have access to the code, i would be righting my own scripts based on their functioning.
Can anyone shed a little light on this issue?
Regards,
micmac

Installer

What you're asking for is legal advice, so I'll give you some: get a lawyer. You can do it either by hiring the guy downtown (best choice) or getting one for free or inexpensively over the internet. If you search the 'net with terms like "software copyright" or "software legal" you can find sites where competent, qualified professionals expound on the subject. This is obviously important to you, and it is an important matter. If you match that importance with your own diligence, you'll get what you need.

There may be competent, qualified, and/or willing people on this board who'll offer their advice, but I'll guess most of us are not trained or licensed lawyers. Good luck.

drawmack

IANAL and all theorum and postulates in this post are not to be taken a legal advice, you need to consult a lawyer for that.

That being said. My understanding is that you cannot copyright what a program does only how it does it. This is why there is more then one spread sheet program, word processor, account package, etc. on the market.

TheDefender

Reiterating what everyone else has said... First, don't construe anything I say as legal advice. You need to consult a lawyer.

Having said that, the one main thing to remember is that if you don't have access to the code, and write everything from scratch on your own, how can anyone claim you have "stolen" their work? Remember, it would be up to them to prove you stole the work, which is harder than you trying to prove you didn't steal it.

BUT... You still need to consult a lawyer if it is that big of a concern for you.

laserlight

Obviously i don't have access to the code, i would be righting my own scripts based on their functioning.

In this case, you'll have to look towards problems with software patents as opposed to copyright problems.

Of course, unless you're willing to take the legal risk upon yourself entirely, you'll need to properly consult a lawyer.
None of us here are lawyers, and even if we were, we wouldnt be giving legal advice over an online forum.

micmac

Thanks very much for the replies guys.
It appears obvious judging by your replies that the best option is to seek legal advice which i am going to do.

Regards,
micmac