Hello
I was wandering, can scripts be copyrighted?
Meaning you create a script using the OOTB nodes and nodes from packages which contain the actual code, you are just connecting them!
does that give you the ability to copyright the end product (script)?
Generally, no. Most packages operate under a license which permits you to use the code but not claim it as your own. Generally those on github will specify the terms of use, but I wouldn’t bother protecting scripts any further than encouraging users not to ‘steal’ them from the firm, really.
If you are using packages/custom nodes, generally the script is likely not worth copyrighting anyway, as you’re depending on other people’s code to support it in future anyway. Chances are that in most cases many people out there have already produced similar if not the same script out there, so proving an idea/script as ‘yours’ would be challenging as well, even if it was technically possible to copyright. A script in principle is just an assembly of ideas/concepts in terms of where it holds its transient value.
At the end of the day Dynamo is a very open platform in how it is ran, supported and community driven. If you want to protect your work, learn C# and write addins instead.
Not that even if no license is specified, the terms of the package manager apply the MIT license by default. So even if there isn’t a license tied you still have to comply with MIT.
I had to Google that…
Thanks for your reply, I googled the MIT license, it covers the original developers for the opensource code, Dynamo OOTB nodes and packages. but it doesn’t say anything on the product of a user using these nodes.
would really appreciate some insight on the issue.
Every graph you use a package in has to comply with ten the license for the package. Therefore the license has to be complied with, including any graphs you pass on.
Hey,
I am not aware of any legal experts as part of the community, I would discuss this with a lawyer experienced in copyright in your legal jurisdiction.
As I understand it, under UK law (I don’t know where you are 
) your script is copyrighted automatically…
But I think the direction of your question is, is in the real world, could you (and would it be worth you) enforce that copyright? Which goes back to Gavin’s point
You could have a read of the Autodesk license as an example:
https://download.autodesk.com/global/dlm_eula/English.html
I hope that is useful,
Mark
I think it will be expensive to maintain the copyright in lawyer’s fees if you want to do that. I actually think we have something similar here as in the UK as Mark’s link shows, but again I think it will be very difficult in a court case
I am not sure if I have to agree or disagree, I tend to disagree.
The graph refers to a node (package) but does not include it. So, the same counts for software development where libraries are referenced. If the reference is apart from the software, there is no need to apply the same license. Else it would be impossible to develop software, because at least the ootb .NET libraries of Microsoft are referenced.
AutoCAD, Map 3D and Civil 3D itself refer to open source libraries (like the OSGeo FDO Providers) but the Autodesk software is not of the same license.
Maybe there are licenses that restrict this use but I can’t name any at the moment. It is at least a good idea to read every license to see if there are any restrictions (like not to use in commercial situations).
In my opinion the graph just refer to a node but does not include it, and can have any license you want to apply to the graph. But how would you defend the license and avoid abuse of the graph?
Copyright != license
Thank you so much guys for your replies.
The thing is if a company has copyrighted every thing that its employees do, can they enforce it if an employee resigns and uses it later on.
My reasoning is Hell NO. Imagine the script is Categories > All Elements of Categories > Element. Delete which is a common graph that everybody uses. Imagine that the company says you cant use that graph if you leave the company since it is the company property! to me that’s Ludacris!
Now extrapolate that graph, using the same reasoning …
Ah, I think you were talking about copyright and not about licenses. You created graphs during your work and the company now thinks the graphs are their property.
Normally that is the case. Everything you create during working hours, for your work, with or without official permission, is owned by the company and they certainly can restrict you to use it after you leave.
But they can’t forbid you to recreate the graphs and they certainly can’t forbid you to use the publicly available nodes.
But they can’t forbid you to recreate the graphs and they certainly can’t forbid you to use the publicly available nodes.
Exactly what im thinking
Guees it will depends on the contract you sign in start with the firm…many firms have a clause normally 3-6 month depends,but guess its morei made so people dont steal all the costumers when they leave 
but its very rare i hear about that here in DK at least
Hey,
I would agree that an employer would struggle to enforce their copyright.
There would be nothing to stop you re-creating that graph at a new employer.
Personally, I am very aware that we work in a very small industry.
I have always been conscious of maintaining good relations with my former employers.
I hope that is useful.
Mark
Fair point and a good analogy. I believe that now the .NET licensing is also under MIT, and if you deploy the DLLs with your app or build .NET from scratch for your app I believe you need to include the license. A similar approach might apply to some Dynamo stuff too, though you should make no purchasing decisions based on such things as the future state is completely unknown.
Also not a legal person so my comments are pure comments 
Also in UK… And I recall there have been quite a few court cases where the judge has said that the work is not original enough to be copywrited.
The link you posted says:
So if you’re using already written nodes (code by someone not you) and you’re doing something pretty generic (door numbering) I don’t see how that could be protected.
However if you’ve spent hours making scripts for a company while being paid, you can’t just take them when you leave.
Yes, nothing stops you re-writing them (unless it’s really specific and original).
And I’m going to reiterate your point… Attempt to maintain good relationships - you never know when you’ll need them!
And it’s nice going to events and people being happy to see you.
OK that is much more complex, best read your contract.
You can certainly move on and rebuild the script ground up, but I suspect your contract contains an ‘invention clause’, like most. Generally these say that if you produce IP or tools during company time and/or on company tools (so even if you do it outside hours on work computer, bad luck), they own the tool you produce (the actual dyn/script).
Look at it this way, if you commissioned someone to design your house and it took them 6 months and cost you a fair bit of money, then they went and sold the design to your neighbors as well for a low price, you’d probably be quite unhappy. Replace design with script and neighbor with other companies, and that’s how your company (the client) would see this.
I do know of a case where someone developed an addin in Australia that was of high value outside work hours but using their company account/hardware, and when the company caught wind they effectively took possession under threat of legal repercussions to the employee due to contract breach.
My advice is have a discussion with your company about the type of work you hope can move beyond the 4 walls for ‘knowledge sharing’ purposes with industry peers maybe, this was my inroad to making my YouTube channel. The CEO didn’t really mind (/care) once I explained how hard it is to protect scripts, and that I was doing most of my RnD off the clock anyway (just on their tools).
I’m also no expert, but if you are solely using 3rd party/OOTB node’s to create your script, I think you can still copyright as long as you don’t violate any of the licences for the 3rd party content and you include the licences and notices from all 3rd parties in your licence.
What you are copyrighting is the arrangement and functionality of the script and it would be classified I guess as a derivative works if using exlusively 3rd party content. Any original works (nodes or code made by you) would of course be entirely yours under your licence. However, I guess it depends on how original/valuable what you have done really is. This is quite difficult to prove.
There is also intellectual property protection too. By creating any works for a business, protection is usually automatically applied (Inc. Copyright) as it is in the terms of your employee contract (unless it is commissioned - in which it will be stipulated in the contract for that commision) that any works created is owned by the business. This also restricts the unauthorised copying/theft/sharing/usage of created content (even by the actual author). But this too still has to comply with the 3rd party licences.