Refuting the claim that "your reverse-engineered cleanroom implementation used leaked source code" is really Catch 22. Because you're not supposed to look at the leaked code.

@niconiconi In the EU, it's legal to look at leaked code and write your own. No indirection needed. Or if you just don't care, as always.
Otherwise, yes.

@lynne@pars.ee In the US, it's also legal to look at legally-obtained proprietary code and write your own (non-derived) code without an explicit cleanroom, legal defense is possible but more difficult. If I recall correctly, it was how NEC defended itself for using Intel microcode... Not applicable to leaked code, though.

Sign in to participate in the conversation
CleverLibre Social

CleverLibre Social is an inclusive social instance for open discussion, learning, and community.
All cultures welcome.
Hate speech and harassment strictly forbidden.