3 ms·

Might be illegal to break someone else's proprietary software, no matter how abandoned it is. Try to ask them for source code, with the intention to open-sourc

by deepsun 10mo ago

Might be illegal to break someone else's proprietary software, no matter how abandoned it is. Try to ask them for source code, with the intention to open-source it. Then you (and maybe others!) can break it whole day long.

ghaff 10mo ago
Easier said than done. - It's risk for them with basically no upside. - Someone at their company needs to do a deep-dive into the code and verify that there aren't licensed third-party libraries and possibly remove them. Even companies that genuinely want to open source software that they've acquired may spend a year doing this sort of due diligence.
- tlavoie 10mo ago
  Well, or they could release a patch that simply nerfs the license check on the binary. No risk in terms of lost profits, for software they no longer sell.
  - jasonjayr 10mo ago
    That assumes the (a) the source is still available (b) the build environment is still available and working, (c) a staff member is still available that understands the system and/or (d) the time to figure it out and rebuild, test, and create the binary diff/patch ....
    - tlavoie 10mo ago
      Well, yeah. The point was that there are changes that could be made, without having to make it possible for everyone else to build, that would enable continued binary support.
    - yardstick 10mo ago
      Or could just release the tool that issues new keys/serials/licenses.
avazhi 10mo ago
> Might be illegal to break someone else's proprietary software, no matter how abandoned it is. Oh no! Anyway Snark aside, what you do locally on your own PC in your own home is kinda nobody else’s business, especially when you aren’t cracking it to share it with others. Pretty sure all the arguments were already hashed out in the ‘80s when VCR companies tried to block recording television to cassette tapes. Literally nobody cares.
- thaumasiotes 10mo ago
  > Pretty sure all the arguments were already hashed out in the ‘80s when VCR companies tried to block recording television to cassette tapes. Why would VCR companies try to block this?
  - tracker1 10mo ago
    Not the VCR companies but the TV stations and Cable companies.
- deepsun 10mo ago
  Well, didn't think of that, but agree completely. In order to sue the post author, the software copyright holder must claim some damages. I doubt they will find enough damages to pay legal fees.

by deepsun 10mo ago

ghaff 10mo ago

Easier said than done. - It's risk for them with basically no upside. - Someone at their company needs to do a deep-dive into the code and verify that there aren't licensed third-party libraries and possibly remove them. Even companies that genuinely want to open source software that they've acquired may spend a year doing this sort of due diligence.

tlavoie 10mo ago
Well, or they could release a patch that simply nerfs the license check on the binary. No risk in terms of lost profits, for software they no longer sell.
- jasonjayr 10mo ago
  That assumes the (a) the source is still available (b) the build environment is still available and working, (c) a staff member is still available that understands the system and/or (d) the time to figure it out and rebuild, test, and create the binary diff/patch ....
  - tlavoie 10mo ago
    Well, yeah. The point was that there are changes that could be made, without having to make it possible for everyone else to build, that would enable continued binary support.
  - yardstick 10mo ago
    Or could just release the tool that issues new keys/serials/licenses.

avazhi 10mo ago

> Might be illegal to break someone else's proprietary software, no matter how abandoned it is. Oh no! Anyway Snark aside, what you do locally on your own PC in your own home is kinda nobody else’s business, especially when you aren’t cracking it to share it with others. Pretty sure all the arguments were already hashed out in the ‘80s when VCR companies tried to block recording television to cassette tapes. Literally nobody cares.

thaumasiotes 10mo ago
> Pretty sure all the arguments were already hashed out in the ‘80s when VCR companies tried to block recording television to cassette tapes. Why would VCR companies try to block this?
- tracker1 10mo ago
  Not the VCR companies but the TV stations and Cable companies.
deepsun 10mo ago
Well, didn't think of that, but agree completely. In order to sue the post author, the software copyright holder must claim some damages. I doubt they will find enough damages to pay legal fees.