Intellectual Property

According to the FileMaker Documentation, if I provide certain legal warnings about removal of admin rights, presence of passwords only I know, etc. they will not assist customers in recovering files in its on a layout called “About” my question is as follows: 1) can I place my contact info elsewhere (e.g. in a tab called “Support Information” and thus modify the language in the warning to read “…Author listed in the Support Information tab…”? 2) What is FMI’s process for recovering damaged files? Is it any different than just using the “Recover” option in the menus?

Can anyone in this forum help me out? I have a licenced FileMaker program that has expired. Program is for Personal Training Clients, I am trying to figure out how to get it working without changing my CLOCK on my laptop. Thanks Can reach me at [email protected]

Wisdom please ... I'm working with an individual within the "Print" industry on a solution that pulls together all the departments within an organization in one solution with the exceptions of accounting ( this module is next if I can find a way to do it ). Currently, systems that are available according to this individual do not provide all the necessary components to organize a "Print" company. Based on this individual’s 30 year experience we are building a solution from the ground up based on how he would like to have a system ... I mean this individual is "Dreaming" and I am building .. Since I am the fm developer and this individual is the consultant…

Here's the situation, I consult on manufacturing efficiency and process control, we also provide database solutions. In this situation I'm not providing any solutions, but consulting on efficiency and process control. The software currently being used is leased and does not allow the user any way to export his data in any way, with or without formatting or relation information and key fields. My solutions always include the option for my customers to be able to export their data, and I include a relation map to insure they could reproduce their data. I'm not really worried about data ownership at this level with our current products, as we do very sophisticated system…

I have several commercially released runtimes. Up to now I have been using Exeshield to protect them for PC (more on Mac in a minute). Not only is that very hackable it is a pain in the patooty for my customers and one more layer of support for me. Time to move on. I've researched plenty of 3rd party sources but have yet to find anything that rings my bell. I do like the license key idea and have scripted something in the Mac version that equates to some thin protection involving the instal date, mildly encrypted data involving the users name and date. This is submitted to us and a "key" is sent which is then imported (via script) that is essentially a check…

i am using the Safenet HASP system to protect a filemaker solution that i have written and is being distributed. There are 3 different runtime solutions that need to be created independently of each other because each is protected by the hardware USB key differently. Runtime1 is a menu system that calls the other two runtime solutions, and is not protected at all by the key. Runtime2 is a solution which may be run a limited number of times before another subscription fee must be paid (INSTANCE protection) Runtime3 is a solution which may be run for the current month (TIME protection). Problem....i want all three of these runtimes to reside in the same fol…

Hi there, First post here. I have a question that I can't figure out. I am making a timeclock type database for the users at my office. I would like to only allow them to be able to record their "punched in" time when they are at the office, ie at a specific internal subnet. The FMS however is on a public facing server, and needs to remain so, for all the iPad and remote users in the field. I do not wish to restrict any other database based on IP, only the time clock database. What is my best recourse? Based on my research, I don't think it's possible to get the remote users IP address. I believe I'll need to do something with respect to DNS and something related to I…

Hi Everyone I develop a FM-close-solution and I like that a selected user in the company, maybe The Manager or wherever can manage the user accounts, Adding, Deleting or modifing user in the FM-Solution like like me ("Admin"), but without Full-Access rights can do. I want that this user can not modify layouts, see scripts and see all my work. In this moment they need call me when they need do it, but in the future I want give to them the possibility of manage the users without me. Is Possible using FM Manage Security or I need develop something that do it? Thanks.

Reading all the forums in this section I am beginning to become a little confused. I have a database which I am unsure if I will sell outright, distribute with a subscription. Anyway I am concerned at this stage by folks doing a quick copy and paste and then my database is being circulated without my involvement. Serial key? Not a bad idea but not sure about implementation. Locking it to a hard drive (which I have read). Not really sure about that. Most likely not. Yeah again, really not sure. Any ideas? Yes I am new to all of this so please be nice Cheers

**edit... I can't edit the title.. but I meant "stand-alone" ** Hi all, I've read everything I can in this forum about preventing people from gainging Admin access to your solution and preventing someone giving a copy to someone else... etc, etc. Am I missing something when I say, "it's not that hard" ? For example, I've read a lot about how simple it is to bypass the startup script... But if you've set access to the file to require Admin access, allow user abort is off, and the debugger requires a password... I can't see any way to bypass the startup script. For me I have auto-login of a low-level user account and every single, possible FM functi…

So no one responded to my post about Froodware's copy protection system, which is based on the hard drive. I think a better way is to tie the FileMaker Solution to a particular computer--by its name. If the computer is changed, but the same name is applied, there would be no problem with the license. People change hard drives more frequently, so I'd rather not tie the license to the hard drive. How can FileMaker get the computer name, for processing? I don't see a Get function for that. I do see a Get function for the NIC address, but people do change network cards, and so I'd rather not use that. Oops, I now see it: Get ( HostName ). Wow, this is terrific!

I did some Web research and found http://www.froodware.com/protectorinfo.html. They have a FileMaker Pro 11 plug-in for copy protection and have an online retail shopping system. So essentially one purchases the plug-in and then pays a percentage (approx. 20%) on each sale of the the solution from the sales Web site; they handle all of the accounting. Has anyone here tried this plug-in? How good is it ? How about customer service at Froodware?

Hi, I'd like to share a very important discussion that i came across regarding the limitations of a runtime solution as stated in the FMA license agreement: http://homebasesoftware.wordpress.com/2012/04/15/filemaker-12-databases-want-to-be-free/#comment-411 This is very important and the License agreement is unclear regarding a single user and non-odbc methods of connecting to data sources. It looks like this is allowed but I'll be happy to get some opinions.. tnx:)

Hi all! I have a general FM 12 design question that I am hoping some of the experts here can give me their opinion on. I have a FM solution that I have been developing since 1999 with FM 4.0. It is currently being used with FM 11v3 on a Windows system. It originally started in 1999 as being a small database for driver contacts and it has GROWN to be much more over the past 13 years. I work in the Transportation Department for the movie industry. My "Trans" program, as it has become known, is used to run the Transportation Department for many TV shows and movies. I use it myself to run our Transportation Department on Criminal Minds. I have been readi…

This is the error message a client received today: "The maximum number of licensed users are currently using this copy of FileMaker Pro. Please refer to the License Key section of your software documentation for further instructions. License Key conflict occurred with user "*username* (*hostname*) [*IP Address*]". All files will be closed and the application will quit." The solution is hosted on a third party server. The username and IP address in the error message were not of my client. The license key was purchased by my client and not resold or transferred. Is there another explanation for this other than someone has misappropriated my client'…

Hi all, I'm having a cooperation but I suspect my partner assigns me the job for the first time to do all the hard work and then with minimal modifications redistributes the solution to other clients leaving me with a minimal reward for the initial application. Any ideas how to protect my work so I can track if he's being nasty on me, or at least force him to ask my help every time and charge him appropriately?

Hi everyone, Just have a short question, i tried spoofing my mac address, but however, the Get(SystemNICAddress) still gives me the original NIC address... Is there ever a way to defeat this function? Thank You.

I have created a runtime in FM 11. Anyone can use at will as I do not intend to sell it. However, I do not want someone else to be able to modify it and pretend he created it. I removed the admin account from the runtime and only left one user account for data entry. However, If somebody opens the runtime from FM 11 advanced, the tools menu appears. I know it's there to prevent me from locking myself out of the database by accident. Here's the part that's causing me trouble: The data viewer is still available. One can see the names of my tables and the list of my fields. I tried many custom menus, but It's still there. It seems only the guest account has…

Hi, I guess the sharing in this sub-forum is not so in the FM spirit that i'm used to...so I will just ask I have a solution and I can generate serials. How do I prevent from buyers to pass it on to others? I really need a solution as USB-sentry is not available anymore... The other solution I thought of is to do activation by authenticating via the internet...but i would like to avoid it.

How can I make the file definitions unseen to the users?

Hello everyone, I work as a developer for my company and I was given the job to develop a database system into a stand alone application using FileMaker Pro Advanced. Everything is going well and according to plan and we are close to the point of marketing our software. Our problem is we, of course, wish to copyright our software like any other application I would design and release as a software engineer. Our attorney is demanding some sort of true code for the copyright process, however since FileMaker does not actually have a code behind it like C++ or other traditional programming languages I would use to develop with I have no idea what to provide for copyright lic…

Hello! I am developing a database as "work for hire" so I do NOT own the copyright. However, I was hoping to put a little plug for my company by attaching a signature in the file, just a quick line that says "This database was developed by Company." (mainly a matter of pride!) Does anybody know if there is a place to do this in FMP? I don't want it easily removed, and not totally inaccessible either. Any advice most welcome! I'm using FMP9. Thank you!

I don't know if this is the proper forum for this question. If so please refer me to who I should pose this question. I work for a small company with only 3 full-time permanent employees. I am contemplating suggesting a FM database to manage their inventory and all related activities, including production, sales order, pick sheets, order staging, order shipping, and followup management reports All 3 people will need access to the database at their separate desks. Do they need 3 licenses with one database residing on the server, or can I offer them a system with 1 license for a server installation which they can access from their separate desks. Thanks for …

Hi, can anybody help me, I want to run a script when my database first opens to check if it is running in a runtime, if it is not in a runtime then it quit, but if its been opened in a runtime then it work perfectly. I want to do this so nobody can make any changes to the database and so that nobody can copy it. Im not sure if this is possible though. Thanks for your time.

Hi Was wondering if anyone can point me in the direction of any off the shelf 3rd party license management solutions for FM applications ?? The App we wish to protect took over 3 yrs to produce and so we want to ensure only licensed companies can run the thing. We (but not me directly) have very experienced FM developers so we are open to implement/integrating any solution that gives us flexibility to license software but also to extend license (over time and user numbers), give time restricted licenses for trials etc ! This will not be a Run-time only release of the system. I have found several sophisticated systems out there but they are all for lik…

HI, i have developed a solution in which what i want is i will give trial version of that product for 30 days.after 30 day it will ask for key and the key will be provided by our side. how can i reach such type of functionality in FileMaker.

:( after so much hard work we create a runtime example baby.fp7 . it created untitled folder untitled now this folder has two .exe files untitled pro runtime and baby pro runtime database are these two required in the same folder . what are these files mean i beginner hope u wont be intolerant to reply pls -- how can we reverse runtime again into baby.fp7 :)

I need help regarding a custom dialog box (Show Custom Dialog script) in a startup script for my commercial runtime solution. I have an auto calculation, global field that returns a number value for how many days are left to register since the customer first opened the solution. I would like to enter that number directly into a custom dialog box - "You have X number of days to register your software." I found a way to say "You have the following number of days to register your product . . ." and then show it as the result of an "Input Field" Is there any way to include the calc result right in the middle of text?

Hi All, Can anybody tell me if it possible to add a fm security feature that allows you to set a license key on the file that has to be renewed each year? We are in the process of giving a sister NPO a modified copy of our db, and would like to have some control over the use and distribution of said file. Thanks Johann

Hello everyone. I am brand new to this forum, and obviously a newbie to filemaker. I have a database and I want to limit the user to being only able to create a certain number of records. For example, one module is CD's. I want to limit the user from only being able to add 5 records. or 3. or however many. How can I do this? This question may seem simple to many of you, but for a 58 yr old looking to get into filemaker creation as a hobby, not so simple. Thank you for your help.

Hi, The database I am currently creating, I will have to pass onto the company that has employed me when my contract is up. I have to give them access to everything, but I have created a script that appears on startup (as a script) that says that says my name (Script = Show custom dialog). I was wondering if there is a way that one script can not be modified? Everyone at the company accesses the database via other account other than the me (administrator). I just hate to see all my work be given over ( I was not hired to create the database, just has become a minor part to this job)and not have a none-modifiable splash of sorts say that I at least created it. …

I just had a prospective client, an attorney, contact me who forwarded a locked DB that another contractor created for him. The attorney related that when he ordered the DB that it should not locked since it has been his experience over 20 years that tweaks and adjustments will be necessary, some of which he could or would like to do -- the later, not so unusual. The attorney and the developer are at odds and I can see both sides but the attorney has his opinion and I can not advise him .... ha hah:) I have never used the Advanced version of FM since I have yet to really need it and don't sell my work protected -- the missing edit layouts, seeing relationsh…

I would like to sell an application someday, but I am concerned about how to protect it from being duplicated. A CAD package I used to own came with a USB key that had be inserted before you could operate the software. Does this system still exist? Is it a viable "lock" on the software? Where would I learn more about this? Thanks, Jarvis

Hi I am currently developing a solution that I want to be able to sell commercially as a standalone application. I was wondering if anybody would be able to explain to me or point me in the right direction to resources that describe what I need to do in order to make the switch from my standalone to a full application with installer and license keys etc which can be shipped on disc. I'm addressing a need in the public sector so there is potentially many thousands of customers. I've only implemented solutions that need Filemaker installed up to now. Many thanks in advance. Jimmy

Copyright is valuable to prove ownership in the case of any future disputes. Checking out the gov's website, the material to be copyrighted needs to be sent in on disc (my solution) and any required software (filemaker) needs to be submitted as well, OR as per their fact sheets, "the first and last 25 pages of the programing. Has anyone done this? Should I take screen shots?, submit the BaseElements analysis print out?, print out the scripts?, field names directly from FM or other material? For $35.00 I guess it's worth the effort. Thanks for any input.

I created two databases, and modified a third database at my previous employer, I was the only person who knew the ADMIN username and password, and was asked to leave the company. I left on bad terms and am now being asked for the username and password so they can modify the database. My dilemma stems from the fact that it was the management and I who parted on bad terms, but I am still in good terms with some ex co-workers. One of them being the person asking for the info. So my question is, do I have to relinquish the info? If Yes, by what means? If no, can I charge them in anyway for consulting work, for whenever they need modifications? Or even a one t…

Hello, I create and distribute a solution. I have a client that is moving to a competitor as they require a service that i do not offer at present. Fair enough. I received a request to export data from my solution and was happy to oblige. Half way through exporting the data i realized that the email containing the request stated that the client had been told exporting the data would be complex due to the number of fields and layouts. Problem is the email specified exactly the number of fields in the specific file. This is very clear evidence that my competitor has cracked the solution. This is of course the reason EULA exist so any advic…

A basic question. If I create a runtime database and sell it, either as a standalone or on a usb stick, what protection will I have, if any? Should I copyright the database - is this what people do? Have people stolen database ideas in the past, created a somewhat similar db and then sold it? Or, if I unknowingly create a db that someone else has created and is selling would I be subject to a cease and desist? Anyway thanks in advance. Jonathan

Is it true that only software can be copyrighted? Or can certain files, like Filemaker, which act like programs, be protected too? I recently spent a lot of my own time and effort on 3 Filemaker databases, which I created at home and brought into work later. They weren't well received at first due to a pretty anti-FMP staff. Though these databases did eventually get used by other staff, I never intended to give them up to the company for [color:red]sole ownership, since most of the work was done off the clock. They had always just had one admin password -- which was stupid because no one else knew how to develop, nor did they need to see the scripts, or del…

Cliffnotes version of my situation. I'm a filemaker NOVICE... Outsourced filemaker application development to external company. In the last couple of days the sole developer for this small company has gone AWOL. The Filemaker server is located in our office and we fear that we may not have access to the code and application that we paid for. If I install Filemaker Pro Advanced will I be able to view the scripts that he has created? From a user standpoint everything is custom menu driven, so the script toolbar isn't even available. He has sent us a couple of plugins which we have applied on our machines in the past, so what would I need to do to view that cu…

Anyone have any info on 3rd-party solutions for protecting a commercial fm solution that is served? It seems all the info is for runtimes. We want to prevent a customer from giving the file to their friend to load on his fm server. Yes, we assume he'll give away any logins/passwords, so I'm hoping to find an encryption scheme for served files. I've used B. Dunning's Easy Encrypt for the runtime solution, but that involves checking the NIC number, and I'm not sure that'll work for a served file. I'm not a fan of USB dongles, btw.

I know there's been some discussion lately about creating demos/trial solutions. I've used several different methods embedded in my FM solution but I've been using a method lately that's a lot easier to offer a 30 day trial without altering my solution. I first create a normal solution and then I use a piece of freeware called Software key TrialCreator: Link The software is really simple and takes a few minutes to create a 30 day exe file. So basically I end up with 2 exe files like: solution_main.exe (unlocked- main file) and solution.exe (30 day trial) Once the demo is created, I remove the solution_main.exe file from my solution folder …

This is insane! Suddenly today I'm unable to open my large and indespensible database! It asks for an Account Name and a password. I'm scared now that my other databases will become locked. I even tried to open it with a previous FMP (6) and it said it was now in FMP 7 & I have to open it in that! HELP!

I've just had a few thoughts. Firstly regarding Full Featured date demo's, you don't need to buy expensive software that monitors if the user changes the date... You just log the open date stamp in a field, and the next time the file is opened compare to make sure it's not less than whatever is stored in that field. Now regarding other types of demo's (only four that i can think of), from an end user perspective what will likely give them the best / simplest "trial of the software" or what method do you prefer to use? -- Please vote.

Hello, I have an ethical/professional dilemma. For 3 years i have sponsored an event by providing them with a software solution for managing all aspects of there project. I now find myself in a position where i cannot afford the time to commit to the project. The project is charitable in nature. There project is a yearly event and it is still growing so they need to continue this growth in terms of the solution. This leaves me with no alternative other than to provide them with developer level access to the files i have spent the last 3 years working on in order for them to hand the projcet to a new developer. Problem is its my intellect…

Hi there, I'm new to filemaker and that's my first post I'd like to know if there is a way to prevent moving or copying a database and database structure. I just don't want users to <> my work :)