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Who Owns Source Code When a Company Folds?

Posted by Cliff on from the tough-questions-with-little-in-the-way-of-answers dept.

pipeb0mb asks: "A few years ago, I worked for Chilliware, Inc. as the 'Technical Development Manager'. Some of you may remember us for the software iceSculptor, Mohawk and Mentor. Chilliware folded rather quickly and harshly back in May of 2001 due to money issues. Within days of the first layoff, everyone was gone, from the CEO and VP's to the receptionist. Now, years later, I've been digging through some old CDs, and am reminded that I still have the final production source code for the products we released in the retail channel. I've attempted to contact several folks over the past couple of years to gather information about the software and who owns it now. To no avail though. Either I get an 'I don't know' or 'No one' from the dis-interested parties. I feel like these programs are my children that never got a fair shot. I hate to see so much work wasted and lost to the ages. So, Slashdot: What do I do with this source code? It's a great deal of well commented and well written code, performed by over 100 developers in a former Soviet Republic (who formerly worked with Boomerang Software). Where do my binary children go now?" As things are now, if a company folds, the code is buried and forgotten unless someone buys the rights to it, before the source code is lost. This issue was discussed a long time ago and there didn't seem to be much in the way of answers. Have 3 years made any difference?

10 of 490 comments (clear)

  1. Who owns the code? by stratjakt · · Score: 5, Funny

    I do.

    I will license it to you for 699 dollars.

    --
    I don't need no instructions to know how to rock!!!!
  2. How to find out who owns the code. by pclinger · · Score: 5, Funny

    Post it online, wait to get sued.

    --
    /. editors made it impossible to link to file:///c:/con/con in my sig. Please just type it in
  3. It has to be said ... by Greedo · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's a great deal of well commented and well written code, performed by over 100 developers in a former Soviet Republic ...

    Well, we all know that in Soviet Russia, source code owns YOU. So maybe you should ask IT.

    --
    Tuus crepidae innexilis sunt.
  4. Re:Lawyers by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "This code belongs to SCO!"
    -- the SCO Minster of FUD

  5. Well written AND well commented? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    What do I do with this source code? It's a great deal of well commented and well written code

    Well written AND well commented? Put it in a museum, dude!

  6. Re:ask the owners by Vainglorious+Coward · · Score: 5, Funny
    a company seizes to exist

    You're thinking of another company that siezes to exist. Chilliware has merely ceased to exist.

    --
    My next sig will be ready soon, but subscribers can beat the rush
  7. Re:creditors and dead code by Ingolfke · · Score: 5, Funny

    Then, if you do anything of value with it, worst case scenario is they sue you, you settle, everyone's happy.

    Please tell me you've never done any Linux development for IBM.

  8. I'd say it's.. by El_Smack · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, from this line...
    "Some of you may remember us for the software iceSculptor, Mohawk and Mentor."
    I'd say Troy McClure owns it.

    --


    There are 01 kinds of cars in the world. The General Lee, and everything else.
  9. Re: Ask a Lawyer by booch · · Score: 5, Funny
    OK, we really need a new acronym here. IANAL is good, but we really need something better. Here are some ideas:
    • AAL - Ask a lawyer
    • OAACPLA - Only an attorney can provide legal advice
    • TISDWWK - This is Slashdot; we wouldn't know
    • DYALTFYC? - Do you ask lawyers to fix your computer?
    • RAM:IWNASDFLA - Repeat afer me: I will not ask Slashdot for legal advice
    --
    Software sucks. Open Source sucks less.
  10. Re: Ask a Lawyer by eht · · Score: 5, Funny

    So what did you do when you were found with 40g of cocaine and a 12 year old prostitue in your car? My uh friend is in a similiar situation.