I'm working with some developers who have expressed concern that a piece of functionality they have developed for use on other sites that generates 'News Items' on the fly from a database would become part of Squiz's intellectual property if they link to it in a site that uses Matrix.
Is this the case? Surely if they aren't modifying the distribution code, and they are just linking to a database that delivers dynamic news this wouldn't become the IP of Squiz? It isn't a stand alone module, and they wouldn't be distributing it, just linking to it if they decide to go with Matrix.
What should I tell them about this?
Thanks,
Matt
When you say "linking to it", do you mean they are using a hyperlink within Matrix to go to another page or have they created a custom asset that makes the database connection and pulls the data?
To give you a definitive answer we would need more information about the specific development. The work “link” can mean anything from completely and dependently integrated with the Matrix code to a loose hyperlink.
If the work leans more to the former (dependent development) then yes it would be considered a Modification and hence covered by the MySource Matrix license which includes a copyright assignment provision.
As a simple rule of thumb, if the software developed by your developers has no meaningful use without MySource Matrix then we would consider it a Modification and should be shared with other MySource Matrix users. After all, we are sharing the system with you too.
If the software can be used with other CMS or as a stand alone application then it is most likely a separate piece of software and does not need to covered by the MySource Matrix licence.
Squiz have no interest in claiming the IP of other systems.
This is the best description. They run it on other sites that they have and they have spent ages developing it. It is totally a stand alone piece of code.
Thanks,
Matt