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Flash source protection

by Goran Zinic
7 replies
Hello,

I hired a programmer for some flash application. Everything went good except the final delivery of a product. He said that he will protect the application only for 1 domain (mine). I paid this application $4500 and this is totally unacceptable for me. I told him that he needs to send me unprotected application as well all source codes..

The main reason why I want unprotected aplication is that I can edit it later. He will probably send me all the codes but I just want to be sure...

Can he protect it somehow or not include all files so that I won't be able to edit it later?

Thanks
#flash #protection #source
  • Profile picture of the author mikeonrails
    If he sends you a .swf, then you will only be able to play the file and not edit. It is possible to decompile an swf and get the source code since swf's have poor security, but there are of course ethical issues involved. By "protect for one domain" your programmer may mean obfuscating the swf, in which case it will be nearly impossible to decompile. It could also mean hardcoding something in the .swf so it only loads on the domain you provide, which is bad a well.

    Your best bet is to ask for all .fla/.as files as well as any assets used. To test if he's honest, you can recompile the application and make sure you get a .swf that works in the same way as his application file(download the free Flash trial from Adobe or get the free FlashDevelop).
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  • Profile picture of the author Goran Zinic
    Mike, thank you very much for this answer and suggestion
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  • Profile picture of the author mike.leembruggen
    yes.... mikeonrails made an excellent suggestion. nothing more to say really.... just make sure you get the .fla files
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  • Profile picture of the author Goran Zinic
    He didn't send me .fla files so I asked him to do that. I don't have experience with flash so can you please tell me are these .js files ok... they are not protected on any way?

    js file 1
    js file 2

    Thanks
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    • Profile picture of the author mikeonrails
      I don't think those have much to do with protection. They are mainly for embedding and linking the SWF file. As long as you have the .fla and/or .as files, you should be fine. Without those, you will not be able to edit the application later.
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      • Profile picture of the author ipwperia
        Yes, the .fla and .as was the source and main file for your .swf
        So, to edit it, of course you must have the source, rite?
        The .swf just the the last process of .exe for your game, so you won't get all that you want even if you have a great tools to decompiled it.
        Better asking for the source kindly, I think he'll understand for that
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  • Profile picture of the author Aj Wilson
    Where did you hire your programmer?

    If it's Elance or Rent A Coder, you can threaten with a dispute claim, as the main
    default TOS for applications is that the buyer has full rights to the source.

    You'll need to check though, but for $4500, you deserve the source files.

    Tread lightly also, try not to piss him off,
    as you want him to remain co-orperative.

    all the best.
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