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Questions tagged [software]

For questions involving programming underlying computers and machines. Consider using the [open-source-software] tag if the question is about open source software or licensing.

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Is it illegal to backup your hard drive if you have copyrighted software on it?

Is it illegal if you create a backup of an HDD that has copyrighted software installed on it? This could be anything from legally purchased games and or expensive popular graphics/video editing programs, just as an example. Is this backup an illegal…
LateralTerminal
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Is it legal to crack MD5 hashes?

I saw a website that involves programming problems. One problem asks to write a program that finds a string whose MD5 hash is given. Is it criminal to crack the MD5 hash by finding those strings?
guest
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Is it legal for Microsoft to install software without user approval?

On several occasions, Microsoft had misled their users to forcefully install updates or unwanted programs (like Windows 10 on Windows 7 here, here, here, and here), it also has forcefully installed the new Edge chromium web browser on W10 computers,…
Chico3001
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Can an open source licence be revoked if it violates employer's IP?

Suppose a developer's contract says that all intellectual property (IP) rights to her code belong to her UK employer. While employed, she develops a library and open-sources it under the Apache 2.0 licence. The employer is not initially informed,…
schrödingcöder
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Why do some licenses have a clause stating that one can't violate the law?

Example of such a clause in the Creative MLOpen RAIL-M dated August 22, 2022 used by runwayml/stable-diffusion-v1-5: You agree not to use the Model or Derivatives of the Model: In any way that violates any applicable national, federal, state,…
Franck Dernoncourt
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If mathematical equations are not patentable, why are algorithms patentable?

I'm new to the domain of understanding the law behind patenting, and I want to start a company that uses machine learning algorithms. Unfortunately, almost every concept is patented by the top companies. Aren't computer algorithms mathematical…
Sreram
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Is it legal to track users of pirated software?

I'm making a piece of software right now, and I'm just doing it in my free time, so I'm not too serious about it. I want to make a version of the software and put a tracker in it that interfaces with Google Analytics. That will allow me to track…
Byte11
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Is there any difference in meaning between the Boost and MIT software licenses?

MIT The MIT License (MIT) Copyright (c) Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software…
OMGtechy
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Can "Right to Repair" laws (or other laws) require a company to open source their proprietary firmware?

AFAIK, there are no prohibitions here that require omission of specifics, so I will be specific. Over the years, I have invested a fair sum of money on products made by a company called Sonos. Fairly recently (2018 IIRC), Sonos "went public"; this…
Seamus
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Do tech companies like Microsoft & CrowdStrike face almost no legal liabilities for major disruptions?

In regards to a widespread technology meltdown, reportedly caused by Microsoft and CrowdStrike, the New York Times states that the "immediate and harmful" impact included: Airlines canceled flights and airports fell into chaos in the United States,…
Amazon Dies In Darkness
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Deleting Software I Wrote Upon Leaving Employment of a Company

For some context, I live the US, in an at-will state, and there's no employment contract involved. When I was younger, I worked at a warehouse doing inventory-related activities as an hourly employee and my job description reflected that. To make my…
zelarian
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How to mitigate the risk of getting sued by clients (web dev contracting)

I'm a web dev and I'm thinking about becoming a contractor. I feel a little uneasy about the possibility of someone potentially trying to sue me. If, for example, a client wants an e-commerce website and I build one for them, and then the client…
user1157885
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How does licensing software not imply ownership? Don't I own a Windows operating system once I pay for it?

Background I've been through the Windows 8.1 EULA and the EULA for computer manufacturers. I've also seen this question where an answer says that Windows is sold as a software service. The EULA states this about ownership: "How can I use the…
Nav
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Using private software at work

Lets assume there is a piece of software I would love to use while programming at work. My company will not buy it (or it will take months before it goes through bureaucratic wall). Can I purchase it for myself, and then use at workplace, or would…
internetofmine
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Can I sue an app for enabling harassment?

Can I sue an app for emotional distress? My soon-to-be ex-husband has been using a fake phone number app in order to impersonate: my child's school the coroner's office the police officers who are handling the 3 warrants out for his arrest the…
user18322
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