Do software company's have the right to do this?

[zorafex]

I purchased a PHP script from a company and I have totally customized the script to make it intergrated within my site. On the script at the bottom (footer) they had Copyright by TheirCompany. Since, they do not own my site, nor the custom skin i made for the software (that I paid them for) nor any of the content on my site.. would they win a legal battle if i kept the copyright off?

They emailed me and said I must put it back up.

[rogerd]

Zorafex, customizing software isn't sufficient to remove its copyright. I'm neither a software expert or a lawyer, but it seems to me that you have three choices: 1) Put back the notice; 2) Rewrite the software completely and replace the code you purchased; 3) Work a deal with the software company that allows you to remove the copyright notice.

I sympathize with your plight. One of the first things I try to do if I install software on a web site is remove telltale footprints. The last thing you want is for your site to get caught up in some kind of witch hunt (as has happened to link directories and forums in the past). Removing any telltale signs of a software type is tougher when they require a copyright notice as part of their license.

One other thought - put the copyright notice in an image. SEs won't see it, but the software people may be satisfied.

[NickCoons]

It depends on what the licensing agreement was with the company when you purchased the software. For instance, when you purchase a license to use Microsoft Windows, you are also not allowed to make changes to the code.. you can only change those things that they allow you to change.

Usually when you buy software, you are not buying the actual code, you are buying a license to use that code. So your specific rights with this piece of software would be stated in the licensing agreement.

Whether you were allowed to customize the script in other ways may also be worth checking in to.

[bcolflesh]

The answer to your question depends on the license agreement you agreed to by purchasing their product.

[zorafex]

Alright.. that's what I was afraid of.. They do allow you to remove the license but it costs $250, when the software only costs $115.. What a rip off :/

I'm thinking about just writing my own version. Thanks

[bcolflesh]

I'm thinking about just writing my own version.

Make sure it will cost you less than $250 in time and effort! ;)

[mack]

"They do allow you to remove the license but it costs $250, when the software only costs $115.. What a rip off :/ "

Generaly you are not actualy purchasing the software with your initial price, what you are doing is purchasing the right to use the software. There is a difference. The same can be said for microsoft windows for example. They still own the software, what you pay for is a licsence to be able to use it.

The extra price you are being asked to pay will actualy make you the owner of the code. This will allow you to modify it remove visable referances to the software company ect.

This form of software licsencing is not at all un-common, unfortunatly that just the way things appear to be going just now.

Mack.

[too much information]

why don't you just say that your site contains code based on ___ program by ___ company?

Then you would fit their requirements while still stating that you did some of the work.. which is what actually happened.

[zorafex]

Thanks Mack, that makes sense.

I will probably just purchase the copyright removal license. I do not really have the time to make this software, because I'm currently working on my own piece of software.

I'm glad to know how licensing works now, as it will come in handy when I release my software.

Thanks all