Uptight or Ethical?
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- abba_cadaver
So, a guy downloads some actionscript with a flash de-compiler and says he wants to learn how they wrote it. I say ok. Then he takes that actionscript and applies it to his own image and wants to use it on his own project saying that the effect fits. Does this seem wrong to you? I feel like even if you think the idea is appropriate for your project that you should at least re-write and alter the code and effect. The effect is the way the hologram comes in on the lexus minority report site so it would be a pretty obvious copy. What do you think? Where do you draw the line? I mean as designers we pretty much remix everything. If I used a piece of a photo it wouldnt be an issue so is using a piece of a project an issue.
- function820
a blantent rip of other peoples work, unless they say you can use it, is copyright infringement, and they could sue you, or at least tell you to stop using it. aside from that, morally (and ethically) its wrong to steal code from other people, esp. with a de-complier and pass it off as your own. another great example of whats wrong with the design world (web specifically).
- Mimio0
Sounds like stealing to me.
- unfittoprint0
that shit is fucking wrong.
learn how, don't steal it.
- abba_cadaver0
That's what I wanted to hear.
- mitsu0
i think it's a programmers responsibilty to make their code harder to steal - given the ease of taking it. granted, it's always a matter of how long someone's willing to work to crack your security.
it's like creating a beautiful work of art and hanging it in the forest and expecting no one to take it becuase it's ethically wrong. in a perfect world, this would be plausible.
actionscript, or flash, more specifically is analagous to the most unsecure and wide open forest imaginable.
- contra0
If it's open source stuff that's on somewhere like Flashkit or Ultrashock then fair enough, but decompiling swfs and thieving the code is pretty low. Learn it and understand it before you claim it as your own work.
- function820
fuck that.
for every person working to secure somethings there's 10 others trying to break the security.
Its nothing like hanging art in a forest, its more like hanging art in a musem, with security around, where its clear that you dont want it taken, and having someone come in, disable the security, steal and sell for profit.
- Mimio0
regardless of the colorful analogies it's still unethical.
- function820
completly.
- MX_OnD0
thieving gypo bastard, cut off his fingers, at the armpits!!!
If you like something, either ASK
or try to recreate for a challenge.
- mitsu0
i'm not questioning whether it's ethical or not. the point is, if it can be coded digitally, it can be decoded digitally and it most likely will be.
it's simply a matter of creating a wall that's not worth climbing for what's on the other side.
or hell, just make what's on the other side free and quit whining.
- function820
so you're saying make a crappy site, so nobody will want it, or if you make a good site, expect to have your work raped and pillaged, and just make your hours of hard labour opensource for the world?
a better idea would be for people to actually LEARN how to do things, instead of ripping people off
- DutchBoy0
"If I used a piece of a photo it wouldnt be an issue "
eh, like there is no copyrights on photographs??
- mitsu0
no that's not what i'm saying. i'm saying make your work less accessible.
- function820
do you have suggestions how?
i mean, adding protection to the swf should be enough to tell people that you really dont want them ripping your code, i know it isn't but if they want it bad enough to break the protection, they'll likely find ways to get it no matter what you do. the problem is that people dont respect digital work. alot of people feel its not stealing if i dont walk into a store and take the physical product.
- abba_cadaver0
A piece of a photo = top of a mans head, part of an eye, the bottom corner of a building etc... making the rest of the photo unrecognizable. and
Anyway, I was just using that example to try to try to play devils advocate and rationalize how it could be argued that taking the code was ok.
- unfittoprint0
compiling a flash file is not secure proof as compiling C++, Visual basic code.
to really secure it you'll have to use a mix of backend coding, and making yours illegible.
the best way is to use a loader that 'grabs' your content after checking via php that the request comes form your server and nowhere else.
- xaoscontrol0
I can see it being unethical. I mean, it's one thing to decompile some guys site to see how he did an animation or if he did it in flash or after effects. it's another to duplicate they way his navigation works by snagging his code.
i guess the theory of open source only goes so far.
- mitsu0
there have been articles written on how to protect your code. a google search should turn up a few. these solutions won't keep the most determined theives from stealing, but it will deter most if it's too much of a hassle for them.
- Jie_P0
Maybe as creators we should all get a Creative Commons Licence?