SWF Decompilers & intellectual property
terablade2001
I just learn that there are exist many SWF decompilers that can take a SWF
file and create from it the FLA file, as it is before compilation with
Actionscript libraries and everything. Till now, I was thinking that my
intellectual property was hidden in the compiled swf file that no-one could
exploit for his benefit. Now I learn that when I publish a .swf file, anyone
can retrieve from it the .FLA file and all actionscript / libraries that I have
used to create it, [b]even if I have lock my .fla file with password[/b] (using
the 'protect from import' option).
The funny think is that some decompilers even create the comments I have in
the actionscript! (are those compiled too in the .swf file???)... Also the
decompilers produced my personal libraries-code as is from the .swf file!!!...
I am curious... Aren't those SWF decompilers illegal, as they provide the
oportunity to anyone to re-use foreign intellectual property for his own?...
Shouldn't they be locked at least to decompile only projects that with a
password you verify them that you are the owner of the .swf file, and not a
code-thief?....
I have already tested a few "google-popular" swf-secure software, and they
CAN'T create playable .swf files in big projects (as a full-flash complicated
web-site).. Thus actually there is no protection against swf decompilers and
intellectual property stealing...
Your opinion on the subject?....
NedWebs
the internet is susceptible to being pirated in its raw form. It would be nice
if there was a built-in mechanism that would prevent this for Flash, but as it
goes, there isn't.
terablade2001
being pirated in its raw form"
In the same kind of logic, every house in the planet is susceptible to being
burglary in its natural form.. Thus it is not illegal to break into any house
and steal anything we find in it...
Come on.. When I publish a locked file on the internet, I only publish that
file AS IS.. Noone has the right to break it down.. If anyone want he can ask
me to give him the orginial software/code that I used to make that file.
"Pirate" as you call it IS ILLEGAL. And those softwares are actually tools for
easy pirate of software.
And that is proved from the fact that as you say: "It would be nice if there
was a built-in mechanism that would prevent this for Flash, but as it goes,
there isn't". In other words they don't take any precaution to protect the
owners of the intellectual rights!.. And most important.. Their software
produces not only the code that was used to create an FLA file, but also all
libraries that might have used with import commands. This means that those
software not only permit anyone to take elements free from your FLA, but also
permits anyone to take freely your libraries which affect other FLA files as
well...
The fact that they don't even bother to add protection againt strangers
declares that those softwares' are primarily made for possible hacking, and not
for securing a developer from an un-possible loss of data. It's like a
pick-lock mechanism, without any tracking serial which permit freely to enter
to any other house easily with no signs of violations.. Which is totally
illegal!...
Developers HAVE to ask from all Decompilers companies to ensure that their
products won't be used for hacking against them. By adding at least a
code-verification to ensure that the FLA you are trying to decompile is yours,
and not decompile the import libraries, which even if you loose a FLA file, you
will have them (the libraries) in other projects. Not to mention that most
decompilers can't retrieve the actual FLA file as is!!!! - they retrieve only
as is the libraries actionscript - thus they do exactly the opposite they claim
to do!
NedWebs
the question and I answered it. I don't like that this can be done any more
than anyone (everyone) else--I do not own nor have I ever used a
decompiler--but I do accept the bitter with the sweet of life.
You can buy a gun and it's up to you to decide whether you'll use it to murder
someone or feed your family--it's not the tool that is illegal, it is the use
of it. So if you should find that some of your valuable work has been pirated,
you can certainly pursue legal resolution. Your argument isn't with any
designer, so it's probably better to take it to court if it's that high on your
priority list.
terablade2001
murder someone or feed your family....."
...or create nuclear bombs.... but NO!.. nuclears are not permitted... even if
they kill and feed families alike guns!...
..the difference between the two examples are obvious.. with the gun you can
kill one-to-few people, thus who care.. find the guilty alone... but with
nuclear that you can do massive kills all care and prevent other to have even
with wars....
human's stupidity I'd say.. they only care for massive problems.. Because they
don't bother and accept anything isolated (pirate, planet polution, guns,
deaths) with the sweet of life (till it knocks them the door one day)...
Ok.. If you (plural) don't think this is an important issue where developers
should press those companies to include intellectual property protection, then
I doesn't matter - I can't do anything alone.....
It's a waste of time as you say...
Have a nice day :)...