If you use a tutorial to help you write a portion of a game..... first scenario: You use the code as a general outline but basically rewrite the code second scenario: You just move around some of the code, change a few key varible names third scenario: you just plug the code into yoru game and move on.... Would all 3 of these scenarios be cosidered illegal? If so, what are the chances of actualy getting caught..... meaning how woudl someone konw you borrowed some code? When you make a commerical game, do you ever need to "show" your code in any way? is there some other way someone coudl tell you used some code from something like this? thanks in advance

Scenario one is ok because you are using the knowledge you gain from reading the code to write your own.

Scenarios 2 & 3 are both breach of copyright.

As for if you would get caught that would depend on what the particular code does. If it is something particularly visable/unusual then it may well be noticed.

Dan Marchant
Obscure Productions (www.obscure.co.uk)
Game Development & Design consultant

If a tutorial is posted onto a website, I was aloways under the impression that is was then in the public domain and could be used as people wish. If i create a tutorial, I would be more than happy for people to use the code as is. In some cases you might have to. If the tutorial does EXACTLY what you want, then why change it?

If i ever do that, I always put a disclaimer within the source file, saying where the origainal information come from, and how/if I changed it.

You shouldnt have any problems then

Spree

In most tutorials it''s implied that you can use the example source code for whatever you want, but of course stealing the entire tutorial and posting it under your name on your website would be a breach of copyright.

So, by just using code snippets from a tutorial you should in most cases be fine. If the tutorial includes text like "you may not use this code for commercial purposes" and stuff, don''t use the code - you always want your codebase to potentially be usable for any purpose.

Sorry but you are both incorrect. Publishing code in a book or on the web does not put it in the public domain (quite the opposite actually), nor does it imply that you can take it and make use of it. Tutorials and the code examples they contain are copyright. They are there to teach you, so that you can write your own code. Taking that code and using it in a product (with or without credit) is breach of copyright. Copyright material can only be used with the express permission of the copyright holder.

Ask, you may find they are happy to allow it (with due credit).

Once again, will you get caught? Probably not unless the code does something special and/or visible.

Dan Marchant
Obscure Productions (www.obscure.co.uk)
Game Development & Design consultant

> Posted - 2 March 2004 8:00:00 AM

Man, I knew the Brits were keen on timing but this is psychotic!

-cb

quote: Original post by cbenoi1
> Posted - 2 March 2004 8:00:00 AM

Man, I knew the Brits were keen on timing but this is psychotic!

-cb

LOL I work from home and I get up at 6.00 so I am in the office by 6.03am for an hour before the wife even gets up for breakfast. Except tomorrow (err today actually) because its 3.09 am now so I think I will be sleeping late



Dan Marchant
Obscure Productions (www.obscure.co.uk)
Game Development & Design consultant

Maybe a mod can take a look at this and save your post for the Guinness records or something. It''s the first time I see a post at such an _EXACT_ timestamp... |8-}

-cb