New version of StyleXP claims to be able to use encrypted IP themes

Interesting...

admitted reverse engineering unless the bought rights to do so or the rights were gifted...

the rights were gifted

Yeah right.

I suspect they have licensed the rights to do so.

Really?! Whoah.....isnt that like...consorting with the enemy per se?

I don't get it though...why would stardock license IP to tgtsoft? They are the competition.

I don't get it though...why would stardock license IP to tgtsoft? They are the competition.

Industrial Espionage

I don't like the idea of someone who uses Style XP using an IP I made... it just feels dirty.

Yeah...its wrong, and shouldnt be allowed.

It gives me this feeling that a stranger broke in my house, and put on my underwear and my pants and is using toilet. dirty....

Since none of us work for Stardock and don't know the outcome of the TGTSoft lawsuit settlement, this is all pure speculation.

/me also believes that TGTSoft must have licensed the technology from Stardock
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well, damnit they didn't license it from me, I never gave concent for some no good, dirty, ram eating style xp feller to use my IPs. *loads his shotgun*

I agree...the icon makers should have a say in this. Maybe two encryption levels on icons...one that lets StyleXP users use icons, and another that doesnt.

Do wallpaper artists have a say on which program or OS people use to open their works?

Do msstyle artists have a say on whether WB users can port their skins for personal use?

As part of the lawsuit settlement, TGT Soft has agreed to license IconPackager's .iptheme format.

However, we don't have to help them dencrypt the format.  But they did apparently crack the encryption. So we'll have to decide what to do (if anything) about that.

Style XP isn't as popular as it used to be and we believe it's icon features are pretty weak.  So I'm not sure how many people would actually use it for that feature.

We're open to your feedback though.

#10 by MindlessPuppet - 7/20/2004 8:29:52

Do msstyle artists have a say on whether WB users can port their skins for personal use?

Yes.

What was the lawsuit over?

Okay you got me MP....I can't figure out #18

Yes.

They do? Hows that?

I personally feel that it shouldnt be allowed.
A msstyle port is done thru permission from the original author and a wallpaper designs are saved under jpg/bmp formats and are uploaded to be use with any program and/or OS.
Icon Packs are made and saved under .iptheme format which is design to run specifically with IconPackager.
To format them in order to be used with some other program is totally wrong.
It would be a different issue if TGT Soft was to create an extension for their icons and their users will request permision from iconists to port their images into their programs.

Oh ok...I see what your saying.

Nevermind
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They do? Hows that?

Anything you create is your intellectual property and unless to give permission to do whatever with it, any modification of it is not allowed.

Anything you create is your intellectual property and unless to give permission to do whatever with it, any modification of it is not allowed.

I would think modifications for personal use only would be ok and is accepted. Don't a lot of people modify WB skins to their taste for personal use only?

What does come to mind is if the Digital Rights act (can't remember exactly what it's called) is being violated by cracking the encryption.
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