Question by qwe5500: can i implement a feature of an existing software in my own software?
hello
i have a legal software publishing question:
can i implement a feature of an existing software in my own software?

let me to discuss my problem with a sample:

there is a shareware image compression software on market.
i have never used reverse engineering to decompile or looking this software source code.
but with a little try, i can found how it is work.
(for example by comparing a non-compressed image with an image that compressed with this software)
now, can i do same work in my own software with my own implementation?

Best answer:

Answer by Nicholas W
It probably depends on their usage agreement. When you installed the software you probably agreed to it without reading it (as we all do), but your answer is probably in there.

When software is made, though, it is automatically copyrighted, so you most likely won’t be able to do it. But I guess it depends how much you’re trying to take from them. If you’re gonna be using this for commercial purposes, however, I suggest talking to a lawyer first.

I hope this helps a little bit.

Add your own answer in the comments!

Technorati Tags: Existing, feature, Implement, software