Mixing
Academic code copied by library author
Clash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
The papers I write contain all the source code required to reproduce results. I have written a series of papers that build on each other over the years. My intention has been to release an open-source libary that encapsulates all of this, but I have not yet done so.
Before releasing anything I was contacted by the employee of a large company. They have been using my techniques and have decided to release an open-source version of their library. Their library contains code almost exclusively from my papers, copied verbatim. They clearly acknowledge my work in the documentation of their library.
My question is whether I ought to ask to be an author of the library. While I didn't commit code to the particular repository of that library, I did write the original code in papers. I'm worried that I'm not getting credit due for the work I've done if I'm not listed as a developer. I don't want to upset the authors of the library because a large ecosystem now depends on what they have done.
computer-science copyright code
asked 5 hours ago
Chip
211
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up vote
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down vote
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The papers I write contain all the source code required to reproduce results. I have written a series of papers that build on each other over the years. My intention has been to release an open-source libary that encapsulates all of this, but I have not yet done so.
Before releasing anything I was contacted by the employee of a large company. They have been using my techniques and have decided to release an open-source version of their library. Their library contains code almost exclusively from my papers, copied verbatim. They clearly acknowledge my work in the documentation of their library.
My question is whether I ought to ask to be an author of the library. While I didn't commit code to the particular repository of that library, I did write the original code in papers. I'm worried that I'm not getting credit due for the work I've done if I'm not listed as a developer. I don't want to upset the authors of the library because a large ecosystem now depends on what they have done.
computer-science copyright code
asked 5 hours ago
Chip
211
New contributor
Chip is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Does the inventor of the wheel get credit for all wheelbarrows, cars and airplanes? You created a "tool", they implemented it...
– Solar Mike
5 hours ago
2
Which license did you put your code under? This plays a major role whether they can behave as they do. However, asking them friendly to be listed as author does not hurt.
– J-Kun
4 hours ago
@SolarMike Well, yes, they do (if they patented their invention). (Albeit, only for a limited period.)
– user2768
2 hours ago
@user2768 so who was the inventor of the wheel? And did they patent it? Or did the OP patent or copyright the code or algorithm? Or was it "owned" by the institution he?she worked or works for?
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
@SolarMike The wheel seems somewhat irrelevant, I was sticking with it because it fit within your example. Clearly it was not patented, because it pre-dates the patent system. Getting back to the OP, copyright probably applies to their code (albeit jurisdiction dependent) and the code is probably owned by their institute (jurisdiction/contract dependent).
– user2768
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
up vote
4
down vote
favorite
The papers I write contain all the source code required to reproduce results. I have written a series of papers that build on each other over the years. My intention has been to release an open-source libary that encapsulates all of this, but I have not yet done so.
Before releasing anything I was contacted by the employee of a large company. They have been using my techniques and have decided to release an open-source version of their library. Their library contains code almost exclusively from my papers, copied verbatim. They clearly acknowledge my work in the documentation of their library.
My question is whether I ought to ask to be an author of the library. While I didn't commit code to the particular repository of that library, I did write the original code in papers. I'm worried that I'm not getting credit due for the work I've done if I'm not listed as a developer. I don't want to upset the authors of the library because a large ecosystem now depends on what they have done.
computer-science copyright code
asked 5 hours ago
Chip
211
New contributor
Chip is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
The papers I write contain all the source code required to reproduce results. I have written a series of papers that build on each other over the years. My intention has been to release an open-source libary that encapsulates all of this, but I have not yet done so.
Before releasing anything I was contacted by the employee of a large company. They have been using my techniques and have decided to release an open-source version of their library. Their library contains code almost exclusively from my papers, copied verbatim. They clearly acknowledge my work in the documentation of their library.
My question is whether I ought to ask to be an author of the library. While I didn't commit code to the particular repository of that library, I did write the original code in papers. I'm worried that I'm not getting credit due for the work I've done if I'm not listed as a developer. I don't want to upset the authors of the library because a large ecosystem now depends on what they have done.
computer-science copyright code
computer-science copyright code
asked 5 hours ago
Chip
211
New contributor
Chip is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
Chip
211
New contributor
Chip is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
Chip
211
New contributor
Chip is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
asked 5 hours ago
Chip
211
asked 5 hours ago
Chip
211
211
New contributor
Chip is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Chip is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Chip is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Does the inventor of the wheel get credit for all wheelbarrows, cars and airplanes? You created a "tool", they implemented it...
– Solar Mike
5 hours ago
2
Which license did you put your code under? This plays a major role whether they can behave as they do. However, asking them friendly to be listed as author does not hurt.
– J-Kun
4 hours ago
@SolarMike Well, yes, they do (if they patented their invention). (Albeit, only for a limited period.)
– user2768
2 hours ago
@user2768 so who was the inventor of the wheel? And did they patent it? Or did the OP patent or copyright the code or algorithm? Or was it "owned" by the institution he?she worked or works for?
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
@SolarMike The wheel seems somewhat irrelevant, I was sticking with it because it fit within your example. Clearly it was not patented, because it pre-dates the patent system. Getting back to the OP, copyright probably applies to their code (albeit jurisdiction dependent) and the code is probably owned by their institute (jurisdiction/contract dependent).
– user2768
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
Does the inventor of the wheel get credit for all wheelbarrows, cars and airplanes? You created a "tool", they implemented it...
– Solar Mike
5 hours ago
2
Which license did you put your code under? This plays a major role whether they can behave as they do. However, asking them friendly to be listed as author does not hurt.
– J-Kun
4 hours ago
@SolarMike Well, yes, they do (if they patented their invention). (Albeit, only for a limited period.)
– user2768
2 hours ago
@user2768 so who was the inventor of the wheel? And did they patent it? Or did the OP patent or copyright the code or algorithm? Or was it "owned" by the institution he?she worked or works for?
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
@SolarMike The wheel seems somewhat irrelevant, I was sticking with it because it fit within your example. Clearly it was not patented, because it pre-dates the patent system. Getting back to the OP, copyright probably applies to their code (albeit jurisdiction dependent) and the code is probably owned by their institute (jurisdiction/contract dependent).
– user2768
1 hour ago
Does the inventor of the wheel get credit for all wheelbarrows, cars and airplanes? You created a "tool", they implemented it...
– Solar Mike
5 hours ago
Does the inventor of the wheel get credit for all wheelbarrows, cars and airplanes? You created a "tool", they implemented it...
– Solar Mike
5 hours ago
2
2
Which license did you put your code under? This plays a major role whether they can behave as they do. However, asking them friendly to be listed as author does not hurt.
– J-Kun
4 hours ago
Which license did you put your code under? This plays a major role whether they can behave as they do. However, asking them friendly to be listed as author does not hurt.
– J-Kun
4 hours ago
@SolarMike Well, yes, they do (if they patented their invention). (Albeit, only for a limited period.)
– user2768
2 hours ago
@SolarMike Well, yes, they do (if they patented their invention). (Albeit, only for a limited period.)
– user2768
2 hours ago
@user2768 so who was the inventor of the wheel? And did they patent it? Or did the OP patent or copyright the code or algorithm? Or was it "owned" by the institution he?she worked or works for?
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
@user2768 so who was the inventor of the wheel? And did they patent it? Or did the OP patent or copyright the code or algorithm? Or was it "owned" by the institution he?she worked or works for?
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
@SolarMike The wheel seems somewhat irrelevant, I was sticking with it because it fit within your example. Clearly it was not patented, because it pre-dates the patent system. Getting back to the OP, copyright probably applies to their code (albeit jurisdiction dependent) and the code is probably owned by their institute (jurisdiction/contract dependent).
– user2768
1 hour ago
@SolarMike The wheel seems somewhat irrelevant, I was sticking with it because it fit within your example. Clearly it was not patented, because it pre-dates the patent system. Getting back to the OP, copyright probably applies to their code (albeit jurisdiction dependent) and the code is probably owned by their institute (jurisdiction/contract dependent).
– user2768
1 hour ago
 |Â
show 2 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Here's how I would view it:
I got to do all the fun work of research and discovery. Somebody else voluntarily did the not-fun work of wrapping this work up in a nice software package. They're even volunteering to maintain it, and they're properly giving me all the credit for inventing what they've implemented! So people can use what I created and I can keep focusing on research, rather than on details of software packaging, distribution, and maintenance.
All I would do is thank them and make sure that their documentation suggests that users cite your papers. I certainly wouldn't be in a hurry to get any lawyers or bureaucrats (e.g. from my university) involved.
This is subjective, but I think many academics would align with this view of things.
answered 17 mins ago
David Ketcheson
27.2k683137
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Since they acknowledge you as the original author, the only issue is to find an arrangement acceptable for everyone. The first step would be to contact the IP office in your institution, they know how to deal with this kind of issue.
My suggestion would be to actually publish your own open-source library as soon as possible, and there you clearly specify the conditions in which your code can be reused: typically a license (some exclude commercial use of the software), but also requirements for anybody reusing your code. You can ask them to credit you in any way you see fit. In particular is common to ask for the paper to be cited. This means that they would have to satisfy this requirement, as well as anybody reusing their library.
answered 1 hour ago
Erwan
3805
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
In fact something great happened: Your research did have impact in the real world and seems to be useful - not everyone can say that!
When it comes to legal issues, things are usually complicated and will involve copyright issues (of yours and of the journal / publisher) as well as authorship issues. Those vary between countries and it will be difficult to give an advise without proper juristical background and line by line comparison of your publications and the library code.
But as I understood your question, you are more interested in the academic credit, and therefore I would suggest to contact the authors, tell them you are happy that your work is used by them, and offer to be part of the development team. You might add a phrase like it would be a pleasure to be listed as author of the library - an in most cases they will understand...
answered 1 hour ago
OBu
9,16222244
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I was contacted by the employee of a large company. They have been using my techniques and have decided to release an open-source version of their library. Their library contains code almost exclusively from my papers, copied verbatim.
IP protections may prohibit the large company from releasing their library (legally). You should check what rights you have. (Given they are a large company, they surely already know what rights they/you have.)
My question is whether I ought to ask to be an author of the library.
I think you should. You might also want to raise the issue of IP, because it probably needs to be dealt with by your institute's lawyers, probably their lawyers too.
answered 2 hours ago
user2768
7,79312440
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
Here's how I would view it:
I got to do all the fun work of research and discovery. Somebody else voluntarily did the not-fun work of wrapping this work up in a nice software package. They're even volunteering to maintain it, and they're properly giving me all the credit for inventing what they've implemented! So people can use what I created and I can keep focusing on research, rather than on details of software packaging, distribution, and maintenance.
All I would do is thank them and make sure that their documentation suggests that users cite your papers. I certainly wouldn't be in a hurry to get any lawyers or bureaucrats (e.g. from my university) involved.
This is subjective, but I think many academics would align with this view of things.
answered 17 mins ago
David Ketcheson
27.2k683137
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
Here's how I would view it:
I got to do all the fun work of research and discovery. Somebody else voluntarily did the not-fun work of wrapping this work up in a nice software package. They're even volunteering to maintain it, and they're properly giving me all the credit for inventing what they've implemented! So people can use what I created and I can keep focusing on research, rather than on details of software packaging, distribution, and maintenance.
All I would do is thank them and make sure that their documentation suggests that users cite your papers. I certainly wouldn't be in a hurry to get any lawyers or bureaucrats (e.g. from my university) involved.
This is subjective, but I think many academics would align with this view of things.
answered 17 mins ago
David Ketcheson
27.2k683137
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
Here's how I would view it:
I got to do all the fun work of research and discovery. Somebody else voluntarily did the not-fun work of wrapping this work up in a nice software package. They're even volunteering to maintain it, and they're properly giving me all the credit for inventing what they've implemented! So people can use what I created and I can keep focusing on research, rather than on details of software packaging, distribution, and maintenance.
All I would do is thank them and make sure that their documentation suggests that users cite your papers. I certainly wouldn't be in a hurry to get any lawyers or bureaucrats (e.g. from my university) involved.
This is subjective, but I think many academics would align with this view of things.
answered 17 mins ago
David Ketcheson
27.2k683137
Here's how I would view it:
I got to do all the fun work of research and discovery. Somebody else voluntarily did the not-fun work of wrapping this work up in a nice software package. They're even volunteering to maintain it, and they're properly giving me all the credit for inventing what they've implemented! So people can use what I created and I can keep focusing on research, rather than on details of software packaging, distribution, and maintenance.
All I would do is thank them and make sure that their documentation suggests that users cite your papers. I certainly wouldn't be in a hurry to get any lawyers or bureaucrats (e.g. from my university) involved.
This is subjective, but I think many academics would align with this view of things.
answered 17 mins ago
David Ketcheson
27.2k683137
answered 17 mins ago
David Ketcheson
27.2k683137
answered 17 mins ago
David Ketcheson
27.2k683137
answered 17 mins ago
David Ketcheson
27.2k683137
27.2k683137
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Since they acknowledge you as the original author, the only issue is to find an arrangement acceptable for everyone. The first step would be to contact the IP office in your institution, they know how to deal with this kind of issue.
My suggestion would be to actually publish your own open-source library as soon as possible, and there you clearly specify the conditions in which your code can be reused: typically a license (some exclude commercial use of the software), but also requirements for anybody reusing your code. You can ask them to credit you in any way you see fit. In particular is common to ask for the paper to be cited. This means that they would have to satisfy this requirement, as well as anybody reusing their library.
answered 1 hour ago
Erwan
3805
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Since they acknowledge you as the original author, the only issue is to find an arrangement acceptable for everyone. The first step would be to contact the IP office in your institution, they know how to deal with this kind of issue.
My suggestion would be to actually publish your own open-source library as soon as possible, and there you clearly specify the conditions in which your code can be reused: typically a license (some exclude commercial use of the software), but also requirements for anybody reusing your code. You can ask them to credit you in any way you see fit. In particular is common to ask for the paper to be cited. This means that they would have to satisfy this requirement, as well as anybody reusing their library.
answered 1 hour ago
Erwan
3805
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Since they acknowledge you as the original author, the only issue is to find an arrangement acceptable for everyone. The first step would be to contact the IP office in your institution, they know how to deal with this kind of issue.
My suggestion would be to actually publish your own open-source library as soon as possible, and there you clearly specify the conditions in which your code can be reused: typically a license (some exclude commercial use of the software), but also requirements for anybody reusing your code. You can ask them to credit you in any way you see fit. In particular is common to ask for the paper to be cited. This means that they would have to satisfy this requirement, as well as anybody reusing their library.
answered 1 hour ago
Erwan
3805
Since they acknowledge you as the original author, the only issue is to find an arrangement acceptable for everyone. The first step would be to contact the IP office in your institution, they know how to deal with this kind of issue.
My suggestion would be to actually publish your own open-source library as soon as possible, and there you clearly specify the conditions in which your code can be reused: typically a license (some exclude commercial use of the software), but also requirements for anybody reusing your code. You can ask them to credit you in any way you see fit. In particular is common to ask for the paper to be cited. This means that they would have to satisfy this requirement, as well as anybody reusing their library.
answered 1 hour ago
Erwan
3805
answered 1 hour ago
Erwan
3805
answered 1 hour ago
Erwan
3805
answered 1 hour ago
Erwan
3805
3805
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
In fact something great happened: Your research did have impact in the real world and seems to be useful - not everyone can say that!
When it comes to legal issues, things are usually complicated and will involve copyright issues (of yours and of the journal / publisher) as well as authorship issues. Those vary between countries and it will be difficult to give an advise without proper juristical background and line by line comparison of your publications and the library code.
But as I understood your question, you are more interested in the academic credit, and therefore I would suggest to contact the authors, tell them you are happy that your work is used by them, and offer to be part of the development team. You might add a phrase like it would be a pleasure to be listed as author of the library - an in most cases they will understand...
answered 1 hour ago
OBu
9,16222244
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
In fact something great happened: Your research did have impact in the real world and seems to be useful - not everyone can say that!
When it comes to legal issues, things are usually complicated and will involve copyright issues (of yours and of the journal / publisher) as well as authorship issues. Those vary between countries and it will be difficult to give an advise without proper juristical background and line by line comparison of your publications and the library code.
But as I understood your question, you are more interested in the academic credit, and therefore I would suggest to contact the authors, tell them you are happy that your work is used by them, and offer to be part of the development team. You might add a phrase like it would be a pleasure to be listed as author of the library - an in most cases they will understand...
answered 1 hour ago
OBu
9,16222244
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
In fact something great happened: Your research did have impact in the real world and seems to be useful - not everyone can say that!
When it comes to legal issues, things are usually complicated and will involve copyright issues (of yours and of the journal / publisher) as well as authorship issues. Those vary between countries and it will be difficult to give an advise without proper juristical background and line by line comparison of your publications and the library code.
But as I understood your question, you are more interested in the academic credit, and therefore I would suggest to contact the authors, tell them you are happy that your work is used by them, and offer to be part of the development team. You might add a phrase like it would be a pleasure to be listed as author of the library - an in most cases they will understand...
answered 1 hour ago
OBu
9,16222244
In fact something great happened: Your research did have impact in the real world and seems to be useful - not everyone can say that!
When it comes to legal issues, things are usually complicated and will involve copyright issues (of yours and of the journal / publisher) as well as authorship issues. Those vary between countries and it will be difficult to give an advise without proper juristical background and line by line comparison of your publications and the library code.
But as I understood your question, you are more interested in the academic credit, and therefore I would suggest to contact the authors, tell them you are happy that your work is used by them, and offer to be part of the development team. You might add a phrase like it would be a pleasure to be listed as author of the library - an in most cases they will understand...
answered 1 hour ago
OBu
9,16222244
answered 1 hour ago
OBu
9,16222244
answered 1 hour ago
OBu
9,16222244
answered 1 hour ago
OBu
9,16222244
9,16222244
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I was contacted by the employee of a large company. They have been using my techniques and have decided to release an open-source version of their library. Their library contains code almost exclusively from my papers, copied verbatim.
IP protections may prohibit the large company from releasing their library (legally). You should check what rights you have. (Given they are a large company, they surely already know what rights they/you have.)
My question is whether I ought to ask to be an author of the library.
I think you should. You might also want to raise the issue of IP, because it probably needs to be dealt with by your institute's lawyers, probably their lawyers too.
answered 2 hours ago
user2768
7,79312440
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
I was contacted by the employee of a large company. They have been using my techniques and have decided to release an open-source version of their library. Their library contains code almost exclusively from my papers, copied verbatim.
IP protections may prohibit the large company from releasing their library (legally). You should check what rights you have. (Given they are a large company, they surely already know what rights they/you have.)
My question is whether I ought to ask to be an author of the library.
I think you should. You might also want to raise the issue of IP, because it probably needs to be dealt with by your institute's lawyers, probably their lawyers too.
answered 2 hours ago
user2768
7,79312440
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
I was contacted by the employee of a large company. They have been using my techniques and have decided to release an open-source version of their library. Their library contains code almost exclusively from my papers, copied verbatim.
IP protections may prohibit the large company from releasing their library (legally). You should check what rights you have. (Given they are a large company, they surely already know what rights they/you have.)
My question is whether I ought to ask to be an author of the library.
I think you should. You might also want to raise the issue of IP, because it probably needs to be dealt with by your institute's lawyers, probably their lawyers too.
answered 2 hours ago
user2768
7,79312440
I was contacted by the employee of a large company. They have been using my techniques and have decided to release an open-source version of their library. Their library contains code almost exclusively from my papers, copied verbatim.
IP protections may prohibit the large company from releasing their library (legally). You should check what rights you have. (Given they are a large company, they surely already know what rights they/you have.)
My question is whether I ought to ask to be an author of the library.
I think you should. You might also want to raise the issue of IP, because it probably needs to be dealt with by your institute's lawyers, probably their lawyers too.
answered 2 hours ago
user2768
7,79312440
edited 58 mins ago
answered 2 hours ago
user2768
7,79312440
answered 2 hours ago
user2768
7,79312440
answered 2 hours ago
user2768
7,79312440
7,79312440
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
Chip is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Chip is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Chip is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
Chip is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.
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Does the inventor of the wheel get credit for all wheelbarrows, cars and airplanes? You created a "tool", they implemented it...
– Solar Mike
5 hours ago
2
Which license did you put your code under? This plays a major role whether they can behave as they do. However, asking them friendly to be listed as author does not hurt.
– J-Kun
4 hours ago
@SolarMike Well, yes, they do (if they patented their invention). (Albeit, only for a limited period.)
– user2768
2 hours ago
@user2768 so who was the inventor of the wheel? And did they patent it? Or did the OP patent or copyright the code or algorithm? Or was it "owned" by the institution he?she worked or works for?
– Solar Mike
2 hours ago
@SolarMike The wheel seems somewhat irrelevant, I was sticking with it because it fit within your example. Clearly it was not patented, because it pre-dates the patent system. Getting back to the OP, copyright probably applies to their code (albeit jurisdiction dependent) and the code is probably owned by their institute (jurisdiction/contract dependent).
– user2768
1 hour ago