Discussion: Non-Portable Script

Here is a generic little function that can prevent people from ripping your scripts from the items you make and stuffing them into Objects that you did not create.
Change Variables and Funcionality as needed.

//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//                              NON-PORTABLE SCRIPT FUNCTION
//                                          By 
//                                 Mitzpatrick Fitzsimmons
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
//  This little function is based on something I use to prevent
//  some of my scripts from being ripped out of my creations
//  and re-used in something I did not make.
//  This particular function is not 100% foolproof, but generally gets the job done.
//  Feel free to mod this to make it 100% foolproof for your usage.
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CheckSum()
{
    key ObjectCreator = llGetCreator(); // The UUID of the Creator this script is in (might not be you!)
    key Scripter = "YOUR UUID HERE";    // Hard-code YOUR UUID here
    key ObjectOwner = llGetOwner();     // The Owner of the Object this script is in
    
    if(ObjectCreator != Scripter)       // The Creator of the Object this script is in does not match the Script Creator (you)
    {
        // UNCOMMENT ANY OPTIONS BELOW TO TAKE THE APPROPRIATE ACTION (OR MAKE YOUR OWN)
        
        llSay(0, "You have violated the rights to use this script."); // Say a Message to the Owner of this violation
        //llInstantMessage(Scripter, llKey2Name(ObjectOwner) + " has violated your script usage terms."); // Send yourself a message about the violation
        //llRemoveInventory("THIS SCRIPT NAME"); // Delete this script from the Object's Inventory
        // llDie(); // Delete the Entire Object
        
    }
}

default
{
    state_entry()
    {
        CheckSum();
    }
}

This is a good idea and does have uses, but I would change two things:

1. Made sure the script resets on each rez, and/or put the check in the on_rez() event handler.

2. Use llRemoveInventory(llGetScriptName()); so you don't have to hardcode the script name into each one.

Otherwise, nice work

I guess my question would be why? If the script is either copy/no tran, or no copy/tran, if I have an item that I would like to do X, I buy your item that does X but doesn't look like I want, why prevent me from using your script in my item?

I still had to pay you for your script and item..

Cause it's COOL!
Another applicaton might be just to IM you as the creator telling you that people would rather put the script in something else. I dunno what that could mean. Maybe they don't like the design or something. But its interesting.
That could be kinda big-brotherish too.

Either way I say its worth taking note. Keeping that one in an example folder
Thanks Mitz

I've considered doing stuff like this before, but there's a bit of a loophole: someone can just get a modifiable object you've made and rebuild it into what they want, and put your script in it. I know I've released full-perms objects before, so that's all it takes for this script to be rendered useless.

Seems like it might be a good idea to re-evaluate just what you're trying to accomplish with something like this. If someone buys a car IRL, what's to stop them from ripping the engine out and putting it into a new frame they built? More importantly, if a manufacturer can somehow make the engine check to see whether it's in a frame they made, should it? Would the purchaser/tinkerer be right to be annoyed if they discovered that the only reason the engine didn't work outside of their car was because the manufacturer put such a limit in place artificially?

Perhaps this is a contrived example, as engines these days require all sorts of proprietary computer gadgetry to function, but I think it's still an important question. I know I'd be annoyed if that happened to me. I know I've modified at least one object I've purchased like this, ie taken out all of the scripts and animations and stuffed them into my own object. I'd have been annoyed if I couldn't do that due to some artificial restriction. I paid for the object and script, after all.

never heard about software licences?

software != car

Yep
Right, objects in SL are intellectual property, and should be subject to fair use provisions of copyright law. That's sometimes hard to do...

The current and coming era will be defined by two things, potable water conflicts and property rights vs. intelectual property rights. As we speak new laws are being drafted that wittle away long standing property rights. The laws we have on the books already are very scary. In 15 years the internet as we know it will only be a memory; trusted computing will be everywhere. The key feature of trusted computing (the ultimate DRM), don't trust the user.

As this all applies to SL objects, i feel it is wrong to use such draconian methods. Give the users what they want more of, more freedom, not less. What user is going to say "I want a product where if I take the script out, the script will self destruct; making it impossible for me to use the script elsewhere."

There aren't any user associations that call for DRM, only industry associations.

But in second life, with the permissions system, software IS like a car. Software licenses are powered by intellectual property law, and that only exists because it's way too easy to copy intellectual property. In our little sandbox-world of second life, it's NOT easy to copy software (or any other intellectual property) that the maker doesn't want you to copy. The permissions system turns intellectual property into something much closer to physical property.

You're able to sell multiple copies of scripts and other intellectual property in second life without fear of anyone copying them without authorization (except for duplication bugs, which are rare). In exchange for that privilege, I don't have a problem with giving a little back, in that people are free to destroy the scripted objects they buy from me and rip the scripts out and put them into new things. The SL permissions system gives sellers a lot of power... I think it's fair to reserve a little for the buyers. What's reserved is the kind of power a buyer would have if this were physical property.

THANKYOU (/me crys)

I guess the use of such a script means that you're so proud of your creation that other people should have no rights to mod it, or use your scripts in other things. You may as well make your object no-mod/no-copy/no-transfer. Then kiss sales goodbye, unless you make something so remarkable that people just HAVE to have it.

So if you create an M1 Abrams tank, I can't put the scripts into a more-detailed version I made, or a British or German tank?

IF your scripts are no-mod/no-copy, so what if somebody moves them to another object. They won't have duplicates of your scripts if they move them. If they want to sell mulltiples of their objects with your scripts, they'll have to buy multiples of your scripts. So who got hurt?

I am very happy to see all the feedback here about this little script idea I had...good and bad.

I wasn't really thinking too much about "ethics" when I wrote this originally, but from the semi-disagreeable responses here, it seems that has become the concern from that point of view..one which I can completely understand.

In retrospect, I just thought it was a 'neat' idea and had not really seen anything posted that was quite like it (feel free to correct me here if I am wrong) and that is why I did.

Simply put, I wrote this script because I could.

Sometimes a fish is just a fish.

I am glad to have invoked so many different views here... and thanks to you all.

...and btw... YES! I am a little intreagued in the "Big Brother" type of scripts..simply because they suit my style and make me laugh a little...they are fun..and as long as no one loses an eye or "left Foot" in the process..I can live with that

-Mitz

Just curious...what the heck is DRM?

You're Welcome..and Thanks to you too...

Lookhere peeps... Sean has stepped OUTSIDE THE BOX and already forseen a positive use for some script like this..DEMOGRAPHICS.

Might be interesting to know who/how many people like your script functionality, but not your Object design.

THe original "Non-Portable" script could be changed slightly to track and notify you of these happenings if you so desired...very Kule indeed.

-Mitz

Digital Rights Management. Umbrella term for various methods of making sure a user can not use a program or data file on other computers or share it with others.

Thread relevant comment: I use a script self-destructor of my own in many of my scripts. Reason: I got sick and tired of folks demanding I support my scripts in objects that aren't my creation. (i.e. No, my heli scripts will not do much more than raise a prim half a meeter every second or so 'till the object is at 760 meters in a 53 prim model of an Apache Longbow, I don't care how cool that model may be.)

Thanks Jillian I am not up to date with all the 3 letter codes these days
... my first thought : " sounds like Microsoft "
(snickers)

-Mitz

DRM is everywhere. You know how DVD movies are encrypted (and the CSS scandle a few years ago)? DRM. How DVD players have region codes, and DVD's have region codes, so you cannot play a DVD from out of region? DRM. iTunes? DRM. MacroVision? DRM. XBox? ... Every streaming video and audio format supports DRM in one fassion or another. The New HD DVD's that are coming out this year, they have even more restrictive DRM then thier predecesor. Trusted Computing is the logical next step. The tennon of Trusted Computing is "Don't trust, you, the user, EVER." You may own the computer but you're not in control.

Computers are coming out NOW with chipsets that enable some of the Trusted Computing standards. IBM has been a big player in this area, thier top end computers have had some of these features for the last 10 years. Apple's new computers feature such chipsets. Windows Vista, requires for HD video playback an encrypted interface with your monitor. The new TC Hard Drive standard requires that Hard Drives be encrypted and keyed for the specific hardware. If your motherboard dies, your data is lost. The XBox is a prime example of Trusted Computing.

Historicly there has been such a thing as Fair Use. It means you can make backups, and reuse materials in certain ways; including make parodies. DRM and TC do not allow for Fair Use. The Digital Millennial Copyright Act does not help. The DMCA makes it illegal to break DRM, it makes it illegal to distribute information on how to break DRM. But the DMCA does have a clause that says you can break the DRM for Fair Use, but you cannot actualy do so without aquiring the information on how to do so as that would be illegal. Now your thinking "Oh I don't live in the USA I'm safe" Your wrong. On a continual basis the nations of the worlds sign new treaties, where these Copyright restrictions are burried inside; The Free Trade Treaties are a prime example.

On a side note the DMCA has also been used as a way to censor public discussion about flaws in products, & make competition illegal (by putting DRM at the component level, it makes it illegal to make 3rd party parts). For an example google "Lexmark DMCA" or "Diebold DMCA"without quotes).

The free love of the digital age is slowly being stamped out by large corporations and thier manipulation of the legal system.

In 10 years the internet will be a very different place. Call your congressman, senator, member of parliament, who ever. Do it now before it's too late. This isn't a genie that can be gotten back into the bottle.

OMG...you know what I just realized???

In all my reading of these forums...I see Strife's words everywhere..and the thing I just realized is that this individual is truly GIFTED!

Moreso than just a base of vast and correct informative knowledge, this is DEEP!

TYSVM Strife...I love learning new things everyday.

-Mitz