Selling Javascript Code

Question

I plan to sell the javascript code I wrote. Given the current state of browsers, it is possible to write complex code. I think I will run into a few problems / ask a couple of questions:

• Client-side javascript can be easily copied as soon as I show someone a demo
• Are there any companies selling javascript code? Does not have a dual-licensing license, such as ExtJS.
• Should I confuse my code? Do I have to hardcode the website on which it will be running, and pack it, etc.?
• How can I do it?

Thank you for your time.

Answer 1

Honestly, with any software, none of the protection methods are 100% safe from misuse. Think, for example, with even large-scale commercial programs, such as Photoshop, Windows, or OS X. Everyone has methods to try to stop people from abusing or pirating their software, and this is normal for the average user and does not allow people to simply copy their software and distribute it illegally.

However, if people really want to use the software illegally, they will find a way - they can reverse engineer it and then create a keygen or completely eliminate the piracy mechanisms.

Of course, being a scripting language, applications written using JavaScript are more susceptible to misuse because, as you pointed out, since JavaScript works on the client side, any user can easily view your JavaScript. However, for many of your clients this should not be a problem, and now it is quite common for companies to commercialize such software commercially, which use JavaScript as their main method of implementation.

There may be a few people who try to use your software incorrectly, but, as I said above, this happens in all areas of software development, and all you can do is your best thing to prevent this from happening. As you suggested, JavaScript obfuscation is a good way to make the source code less comprehensible (but there are some limitations, for example, when removing some legitimate lines of code that are not supposed to be obfuscated), but at the end of the day, you just need to remember that most people are likely to legitimately use your software in the correct manner, and that over-protecting your software will only annoy your legitimate users to try to hold back a small the number of people who can provide a workaround to any mechanism.

Answer 2

Companies that usually sell JavaScript components do sell support for these components. Guaranteed bug fixes, prompt answers to questions, etc.

Answer 3

There are numerous companies that sell Javascript components, and I know that at least some of them obfuscate their code. Many obfuscators and compressors do some terrifying things with eval and encoded strings ... I would recommend not to go this route.

In my experience, all the confusing code really upsets your honest customers. It depends a lot on who you are targeting. If you create plug-in components, obfuscating things will not be a big problem. If you target developers, you will need to leave your code open. Imo

If you decide to obfuscate, the best way to improve performance and reliability is to use a javascript compressor

Answer 4

The easiest way to do this to confuse it would be to use the Online YUI minifier .

In principle, the effort required to remove obfuscation is quite similar to having to rewrite it. It does not necessarily make someone steal it, but again, it just depends on which market you are in. Most people are honest.

Virtually all JavaScript is open source by design. It seems that many people make money in open source. I would not sweat too much. Sell ​​at a cost or service.

Answer 5

Milonic sells some JavaScript components.

Not sure how they protect them, but they have been doing business for a long time.

Answer 6

Remember that "stealing" code is not just obfuscation, but simply copying it directly to another location and using it as it is. It would be unwise to include some type of licensing request for the script, perhaps checking the domain to which the request was sent from the central server. Of course, then you need obfuscation so that people cannot remove the licensing check ...

Answer 7

There are several companies selling js code. How well they do it - I don’t know.

The only thing you can do to protect your code is to confuse it.