Are cloned scripts illegal?

[pspman22]

Hi everyone. I am new to SL, and programming in general. I came to SL because I want to start a new online auction and am looking for a clone of a script that I can't really afford. The script is only $200 and is called phpprobid. I know $200 isn't a lot of money for most but it is for me. So I thought I would post a job for a clone of the script, and I just might be able to get a better deal. I've received a couple of bids with links to demos and was shocked to see that they looked exactly like the phpprobid demo. Now I know I am looking for a clone, so it should look similar, but should it look exactly the same? One demo even has the phpprobid logo on it. Now if you buy from phpprobid they say the program is only good for 1 license to 1 site. I'm afraid that these demos are actual phpprobid scripts and it would be illegal for me to purchase them. How can I tell if it is really a clone or if it is phpprobids copyrighted program?

[justin]

You can contact the makers of phpprobid and they should be able to determine if the script is just a clone or not.
I am sure they would be more than happy to look into it for you as it would be in their best interest to find people who sell their copyrighted work.

[pspman22]

Thanks Justin, I will do that. Am I right in assuming that a clone script should be similar to the real thing but not exactly like the real thing. Or will a clone script look exactly like the original? Also, wouldn't phpprobid be a little upset to find a clone of their product and possibly tell me it was theirs and copyrighted to get me to buy direct from them?

[gcsaba2]

I think that if the job description is "clone the site", then it should be the exact clone, or very similar. If you want it to be "a little different", then make your own specification and tell the programmer what you want.

[digitalnature]

a clone is different from a copy (at least from the programming point of view:)).

i really don't think that creating a script similar (or one that has exactly the same features) is illegal. for example, look at vbulletin, then at phpbb which has the same features...

selling a copy of the script is illegal if done without permission...

but, asking for programming something like phpProBid for less than $200, for me at least, seems ridiculous. first of all, the script you can't afford, is being RE-SOLD. so the coders who did the script, they didn't do it for $200.

the same goes for design.

you can buy a pre-made template for $20 or so (which can be re-sold to 100 people - again, earning $2000+ profit for the designer), or have a coder do a unique & custom design for you...

[kabirchy]

I made clones of site. Why I made? because webmaster wants. But I think clone is not 100% legal, as we don't think what features will be in the site and what fields will be in the form (so we are stealing other planning ideas)...

Thanks