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Add find panel capabilities to some Cocoa apps
Authored by: danieleggert on Dec 07, '03 07:43:19AM

Please be aware, that most licenses make it illegal to modify application code as explained in this hint. Yes that's right, even if you are modifying .nib-files you are most likely breaking copyrights.

Even if the program is open-source this is most likely not allowed by the license. Just wanted to let you know.



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Add find panel capabilities to some Cocoa apps
Authored by: mistercow on Dec 08, '03 08:04:25PM

Usually those licenses are referring to modifying the code to distribute it, not for your own personal use.

Even if the license specifically prohibits this simple modification, it would never hold up in court.

After all, if I take a photograph and put it on the internet with a license attached that says "You may not modify this photograph," I won't be able to sue someone who edits it for their own personal use.

Modifying software to get past it's copy protection is a different story, of course, but that's under somewhat different laws.

Lastly, if an application is open source, and it doesn't allow you to modify a nib file, then it isn't really open source at all is it? Open Source Initiative states in their definition of open source that "The license must allow modifications and derived works, and must allow them to be distributed under the same terms as the license of the original software."

In closing, if a developer sues you for adding find panel support to an application for your own personal use, you will probably get a lot of money when you counter sue for a frivolous lawsuit.



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