I have a program, it pursues some idea, respectively. Then some programmer Vasya Pupkin from the other end of the country saw my program and did the same thing (maybe with some improvements) and called it and spread it, and get my fame.

What besides "karma" can prevent it? Or maybe in some way I can save the program (register copyright)? Or is this question absurd?

Generally explain if I do not understand something. Maybe it really is not necessary?

  • one
    Separate the implementation (program code, images, icons, sounds) and the idea - ideas are not patented anywhere, even in the USA. You can not patent an abstract text editor, video player or any RPG. The code itself - please. Moreover, in Russia, the code is automatically considered an author's work and the rights of the author are protected. - Evgeny Karavashkin

3 answers 3

The program is and has always been intellectual property. Therefore, only approaching this issue from this side can try to sue. But to prove that your code is almost impossible. Roughly speaking, you do not even have the right to use the simplest cycles that you found in the book in your programs, for example:

for(int i=0; i<var; i++) doSomth();

Regarding patents, you can always register your creation abroad. Naturally, the patent will not be valid in Russia or other countries, depending on where they patented, but Vasily Pupkin will not be able to sell this program in the country whose patent you have received.

With regard to trademarks and names, they can also be registered. Usually there are local registers (for example, per country), and there are global, as the example was given, Apple, a trademark, a trademark is already registered and cannot be used. But only for products of the same specifics. Ie, for example, if you pick apples and call yourself Apple, you can also register this trademark and it will be completely legal and will not go at all as opposed to the existing one.

I also consider registering the code itself meaningless, I will repeat it again, even if it is registered, it will be very difficult to prove that your code was broken.

UPD

Here is another question and answer to it, which illustrates well what is happening with the author's code. @quyse is absolutely right, I spoke with a lawyer on this issue.

  • Thanks for the detailed answer. =) - BomBom
  • Thanks for the link, very informative ... - Zowie

If you came up with something new, then the only way to protect your rights is a patent. And I read once that the codes are not patented in Russia. You can patent new technologies. Otherwise, nothing. Although I'm not a lawyer, maybe not right.

In general, you need to think more about the welfare of mankind.

  • 2
    When they take an idea and take it upon themselves ... How do you ... Do you involuntarily think about the Armory Shop next door ... But not about "the welfare of humanity": DD - BomBom
  • 3
    If so the inventors thought about the whole history of mankind, then we would still live in the Stone Age. In the literal sense. - skegg
  • 2
    The love of peace must be mutual. In the case described, it is also possible to hit the head on the head without mounting universal equilibrium. Especially if the program is paid and the original developer earns it. Well, you are trying to cover up the thief - I hope, unconsciously. - Sh4dow
  • 2
    How is that? %) That is, if you have a girlfriend and you are not married to her and she was kidnapped, then there is nothing to be offended about? : DDDD I apologize for such a strange example, but still ...: DDD - BomBom
  • one
    A good congress, only the last sentence of your answer hints, as it were, that you are not seeing anything wrong with such ideas. I simply said that such hijackers should be punished and explained why I think so. Not even for you, but for future readers to weigh all the arguments for and against) And yes, and you don’t need to frighten me with terms. There are laws of nature, all the rest are threats and recommendations. I just always try to act honestly and reasonably, if the term shines over it is sad, but no more. - Sh4dow

Then we would have one Google, and not any Yandex, and the like. And yes to patent "code" in Russia in any way. Yes, and how we would live with this - some monopolists would be :) healthy competition is always good)) udp: I don’t know about identical names but, in Russia, for example, Milon LLC can have the same name :) it is already impossible, in fact, it is possible, but just about a thread in the village)

  • one
    Well, we can not get a patent for a code as an intellectual property (as in states) - sysashi
  • I said “in Russia” because I simply don’t know about other countries. - skegg
  • In general, I heard that if they made the program, you have the source code for it, and gave it a name, then you don’t need anything else ... you can really go to register the rights, but it will be only for the state (such as accounting) and for Ponte: DDD - BomBom
  • I do not know, I will not say. - skegg
  • LLC and the Corporation, as I understand it, have different rights ... Therefore, it is impossible to call Apple itself ... because the "corporation" is BomBom