If applications are written in Javascript, how a developer can protect copyrights?
I read that applications for Firefox OS are written in Javascript, Html and CSS. Can anyone see or copy the code? Is there a way to prevent it?
Chosen solution
Apps in Firefox OS are written in JavaScript. It doesn't support Java or Flash. Your code is automatically protected by copyright in some countries like France, see the laws of your country. But if you want to hide your code, it is not possible. You juste can make it unreadable with a mibified version.
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I might suggest asking this question on stackoverflow.com for development details.
I did find some resources that you might find helpful:
Copyright provides legal protection, the right to go after those who make unauthorized copies or derivative works. This applies whether people can read what you wrote or not. Of course, less copying is likely to occur if the code cannot be read in the first place...
guigs said
"I might suggest asking this question on stackoverflow.com for development details."
Hello. I know Stackoverflow as well but isn't "Mozilla Support/Firefox OS" the right place to ask a simple question?. I'm not asking about any complex implementation details. Just wanted to know, before investing hundreds of hours of my time on creating applications for your OS, how do I prevent anyone to get access to all my source code in a couple of seconds.
Modified by derloopkat
jscher2000 said
Copyright provides legal protection, the right to go after those who make unauthorized copies or derivative works. This applies whether people can read what you wrote or not. Of course, less copying is likely to occur if the code cannot be read in the first place...
Unfortunately, that's not enough. As a developer, if you give me a source code that works, I can easily create a derivative that doesn't match the original code. To makes things harder one may obfuscate the code by Minimifing Javascript code. It could help but you still expose the logics as well as all styles and resources.
It is hard to keep secrets from determined researchers.
You don't create apps for Firefox OS. You are creating web apps. So, how would you protect copyrights if you create a website?
comzeradd said
You don't create apps for Firefox OS. You are creating web apps. So, how would you protect copyrights if you create a website?
Basically you're asking me my own question. But it wasn't me who decided that apps should run like websites.
I guess it may be useful to be able to package the app in an encrypted format and, from OS, prevent user to see the code and resources once loaded into browser.
Does Firefox OS support Flash, Java Applets or Silverlight?
Modified by derloopkat
derloopkat said
Does Firefox OS support Flash, Java Applets or Silverlight?
I don't think so, although someday JavaScript may be able to decompile and execute SWF files well enough to ship as part of Firefox. Assuming they don't have OS-specific dependencies. See: http://www.areweflashyet.com/shumway/
Chosen Solution
Apps in Firefox OS are written in JavaScript. It doesn't support Java or Flash. Your code is automatically protected by copyright in some countries like France, see the laws of your country. But if you want to hide your code, it is not possible. You juste can make it unreadable with a mibified version.